"No bootable device - insert boot disk & press any key" when trying...

[ashleyquick]

"No bootable device - insert boot disk & press any key" when trying...

NOTE: I've posted this in the CloudReady forum but wondered if it might be more appropriate here.

Here's the scenario: I have two older laptops (and HP and a Compaq CQ57). The Compaq had CloudReady only on it...meaning I chose the option to remove Windows. I'm now trying to swap the hard drives so that the Compaq will have the hard drive from the HP (which has Windows 7). So now when I try to boot this Compaq, I'm getting the aforementioned "No bootable device..." error.

The other hard drive switch is working fine...meaning CloudReady booted with no issues in the HP.

Can someone think of a fix for this Compaq so that the Windows install on that hard drive will boot? It has a setup and files that I REALLY need. I've already tried creating a USB disk with Microsoft's Media Creation tool and using the master boot record repair (which I saw as a suggestion somewhere). That didn't work.

 

[samuria]

Is the disk uefi gpt disk or mgr? A screenshot from disk management would help showing all the details

 

[ashleyquick]

How would I find/determine that?

 

[Paul Black]

Hi ashleyquick,

How would I find/determine that?

Disk Management

Can you post a screenshot of the Disk Management please => Click Start => right-click Computer => click Manage => click Disk Management.

Screenshots And Files - Upload And Post In SevenForums

This tutorial [Published by Brink] will show you how to upload the file => Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in SevenForums.

I hope this helps!

 

[SIW2]

You need to have a look with bootable media.

There needs to be an active partition on the windows disk that contains the relevant boot files.

You could try nt6repair ( it is on the desktop of the boot media ). Auto boot repair section.

boot media:

17514x86.iso
17514x64-v10.iso

 

[ashleyquick]

Will this help?

 

[SIW2]

CQ57

Hi,
This model PC has limited support for Windows 8/8.1. It does not support GPT or UEFI 2.3.1 or later. It is MBR only.
-wes
I am an HP employee.

1. Looks like you would need to convert the HD to mbr partition style.
Then you shouldn't get the no bootable device message.

2. The next thing is that windows is not keen on being moved to different harware.
There are several programs that have modules to adjust to windows to new hardware.

O&O is doing a free giveaway their diskimge pro v12 - which has that function.

Otherwise, the linux boot media included in Paragon free rescue kit 14 can do it.

3. After that, you will need a license for that Edition of windows 7 on that machine.
If the CQ57 came with windows 7 ( same edition ) , then it is very likely an SLP license.
Running 7oeminstaller should sort it out in a matter seconds.

It might sound daunting,but I could probably do all the above in a few minutes.

 

[ashleyquick]

CQ57



1. Looks like you would need to convert the HD to mbr partition style.

Then you shouldn't get the no bootable device message.

2. The next thing is that windows is not keen on being moved to different harware.
There are several programs that have modules to adjust to windows to new hardware.

3. After that, you will need a license for that Edition of windows 7 on that machine.
If the CQ57 came with windows 7 ( same edition ) , then it is very likely an SLP license.
Running 7oeminstaller should sort it out

Can you elaborate on #1 and is it something I can do with this AOMEI Partition Assistant?

 

[SIW2]

O&O diskImage 12 GIVEAWAY
Register: (the registration page is in German - don't worry about that)

Registrieren Sie sich hier fur Ihre kostenlose Vollversion von O&O DiskImage 12

They send an email. Click the link in the email they sent you and you will receive another email with your license key

Download English version of the program:
Download Archive

You would need to install the program, get it to make bootable media. Boot that up on the Compaq.

 

[SIW2]

Can you elaborate on #1 and is it something I can do with this AOMEI Partition Assistant?

Can't recall what version of Aomei part assist I put in there.

Easy to find out.

In that Aomei window you posted, just rt click the disk and see if it offers to convert to mbr.

Don't rt click a partition. Rt click directly on the word Disk 1.


Disk operations are never 100% risk free - good idea to have a backup image, just in case. I have never had a problem with it, but you never know on ancient hardware.

If the function to convert is in that version Of Aomei - it might say there are too many partitions.
If it says that, then you can rt click the second partition, the one that says Other GPT,MSR - select delete, then click the big green Apply arrow at top left of window.

 

[ashleyquick]

Can't recall what version of Aomei part assist I put in there.

Easy to find out.

In that Aomei window you posted, just rt click the disk and see if it offers to convert to mbr.

Don't rt click a partition. Rt click directly on the word Disk 1.


Disk operations are never 100% risk free - good idea to have a backup image, just in case. I have never had a problem with it, but you never know on ancient hardware.

If the function to convert is in that version Of Aomei - it might say there are too many partitions.
If it says that, then you can rt click the second partition, the one that says Other GPT,MSR - select delete, then click the big green Apply arrow at top left of window.

So in AOMEI, I right clicked on Disk 1 and chose the option to Convert to MBR. A popup then says:

The system partition and boot partition are separated on different disks. If you convert the disk, your system will be unable to boot next time. So we strongly suggest you not convert this disk...


So should I remove the "Other"?

 

[SIW2]

Not sure if that is because your mobo isn't recognizing a system partition on the HD.

Delete the msr and see if that message goes away. If the message still appears after that, then continue anyhow. Make sure it the HD you are trying to convert, and not your usb stisk.
As long as it does the conversion, should be easy to ensure it is bootable afterwards.

 

[ashleyquick]

Not sure if that is because your mobo isn't recognizing a system partition on the HD.

Delete the msr and see if that message goes away. If it doesn't go away, then continue anyhow.

Ok so I deleted "Other" and tried to continue and it's saying I need to upgrade to the Pro Edition. Ugh.

 

[SIW2]

I couldn't remember if the free Aomei did it.

Have a look with DiskGenius/PartitionGuru ( they are the same). Rt click on the DISK ( in the left pane of diskgenius window) and it should offer to convert to mbr.

 

[ashleyquick]

I couldn't remember if the free one did it.

Have a look with DiskGenius/Partitionguru ( they are the same) - maybe that will do it - it is also the free edition, but it worth seeing if it does.

Yes, according to DiskGenius website - the free one does.

When I select the disk in DiskGenius, all the Partition options are greyed out...

Disregarding this post. See the next...

 

[ashleyquick]

Ok so I was able to delete the partition in DiskGenius and convert to MBR (which was under the Disk menu heading). But unfortunately, I still got the original No Bootable Device error.

Here's what I now see in AOMEI...

 

[SIW2]

You need to mark one of the primary partitions Active.

Use nt6repair.

1. Select your windows partition in the dropdown. ( D: in your screenshot)



2.Click Set Active


3. In the Auto Boot Repair section

Select your Active partition ( D in your screenshot )

Select your windows partition ( also D in your screenshot )





Click Apply

The disk should then be bootable and so should windows.

But windows might not load properly because it is on different hardware. So adjust to new hardware , using O&O or similar.

 

[XweAponX]

NOTE: I've posted this in the CloudReady forum but wondered if it might be more appropriate here.

Here's the scenario: I have two older laptops (and HP and a Compaq CQ57). The Compaq had CloudReady only on it...meaning I chose the option to remove Windows. I'm now trying to swap the hard drives so that the Compaq will have the hard drive from the HP (which has Windows 7). So now when I try to boot this Compaq, I'm getting the aforementioned "No bootable device..." error.

The other hard drive switch is working fine... meaning CloudReady booted with no issues in the HP.

Can someone think of a fix for this Compaq so that the Windows install on that hard drive will boot? It has a setup and files that I REALLY need. I've already tried creating a USB disk with Microsoft's Media Creation tool and using the master boot record repair (which I saw as a suggestion somewhere). That didn't work.

This particular nasty error usually means, that the system may LITERALLY not be detecting your HDD. Check your HDD and check the mounting apparatus. Some laptop HDDs use an "Interpolator" that connects the SATA of the HDD/SSD to a PROPRIETARY bus connector. My Dell Vostro 3500 Laptop is like this, I had to order several Interpolators until I got one that could be jimmied to work.

Also try using Electrical Contact Cleaner on all of the HDD and Interpolator and MB Contacts, I use CRC QD Electrical Contact Cleaner, they sell it at harbour Freight for about 9 bucks.

After you think you have the drive connected properly, leave the back off and boot the machine, go directly into BIOS, do not collect 200 rubles- And make sure the drive is physically there.

If it is - And/or has been the whole time, your next step is to check any SATA settings in the BIOS, depending on the differences between the two laptops, you may need to use different SATA settings. And since not all BIOS are equal, I can't tell you what settings to use, but do look for a "Legacy" setting. On some systems, that's the proper setting for Windows 7 (Newer systems), on Older systems. you will see an IDE setting for SATA- It tells your system to treat SATA drives as if they are IDE drives. Systems from 2006-2011 or so may have this. Or, there may be NO SATA Settings or any other settings of any use, you say this is a Gateway? I had a huge 17" Gateway notebook, Core 2 Duo'd, 2GB Rammed, HDMI Outted, made for Vista system, that I had considerable issues with similar to what you are describing.

 

[ashleyquick]

You need to mark one of the primary partitions Active.

Use nt6repair.

1. Select your windows partition in the dropdown. ( D: in your screenshot)

View attachment 408038

2.Click Set Active


3. In the Auto Boot Repair section

Select your Active partition ( D in your screenshot )

Select your windows partition ( also D in your screenshot )


View attachment 408039


Click Apply

The disk should then be bootable and so should windows.

But windows might not load properly because it is on different hardware. So adjust to new hardware , using O&O or similar.

I tried that to the letter and, once I rebooted, I not only got the same original error, I can now no longer boot to that USB, even after setting it as the preference in the bios.

Any other recommendations?