Windows 7: Error "Insert proper boot device"

Hello,
was now searching hours for solving this problem but nothing was really helpful. So i give it a try. If it is the wrong section, someone please move it to the right one.

While i was browsing yesterday, my computer froze with the sound still running. Couldn't open the Task Manager so i hit the reset button. After that the computer wasn't starting like it should. After a while i got the error ""Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key..."


System:

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
MB: Foxconn A7DA-S 3.0
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 945
GPU: ATI Radeon HD4870
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint 500GB



Hope someone can help me.

Hi Kevx4.
Welcome to Sevenforums

Start first with refitting HDD data cable and power cable connection to rule out any physical connection problem first.
When start, check with the BIOS, see if the HDD is there.

Return to us then.

Ok, did what you told me. HDD is still not recognized in the BIOS.

Do you hear the HDD spinning or smoothly vibrating? (to make sure the power cable properly attached)

After shutting it off, try to move HDD Sata cable to other SATA port on your motherboard. Turn on and see again if it shows up in BIOS.
If still go undetected, find another SATA cable. And if again you do not see it appears on BIOS, bring your HDD to local service to have it checked for any damage.

Kevin

Looks like it is broken. Switched the cable and even plugged it on another computer. But the same error pops up...
Already ordered a new one now. Also want to know if there is still a chance to recover the data from it.

Ignore the last question...

For the time i am waiting for the new one, i plugged in a IDE HDD in said computer. But now it keeps rebooting after you can choose to run in Safemode etc. Already changed the needed settings in the Bios but it still happens the same.

As long as it is still detectable. Data recovery might be still possible to achieve when you put it in later after having new HDD installed as the new system and have new Windows run already. It is possible that it will show up as another drive with non C letter. And hope you can find your way to your stored data.

Kevin