Fix Disk Boot Failure Insert System Disk and Press Enter

Disk Boot Failure is very common regardless of any computer you are using, it can be an advanced
modern computer or a traditional old computer. 

They all generally have a startup process which is known as the Boot Process. The Boot is the shortened form of the word '' Bootstrap '' which has been used during the early stages of the computer. This Boot process can be initiated by a hardware or a software command and it makes sure that all the components of the computer are working properly. There are two such available methods for a boot, one is the traditional BIOS - MBR method and the other is the UEFI - GPT method. Many computers today use the BIOS - MBR method for booting. For the cause of the Disk Boot error we have to analyze the mechanism of booting process. 

Generally when a computer is switched on, the power is sent to a Boot loader program which is located in the cache memory. This boot loader program initiates the operating system and the boot startup process. This can be seen as a Black screen with a text in the display. This Boot process runs a Power On Self Test (POST), you can notice this with a series of beep tones. After the completion of the POST the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) will be activated. This BIOS will be searching for a Bootable device for it to boot. It can be a Hard drive, CD/DVD drive or a USB flash drive. If the BIOS cannot find the required device for it to boot, the boot process will be stopped and you will not be granted access into the system. This will be shown in the display as, 

'' Loading Operating System......  
Disk Boot Failure , Insert System Disk and Press Enter ''

There can be many possible reasons why the system was unable to find the Bootable device, some can be identified and fixed by the user himself.

In this tutorial, we will be discussing on Fix Disk Boot Failure Insert System Disk and Press Enter. The solutions provided here can be tried out and repaired by any rookie computer user. 

Let's jump into the topic,

1. Change the Boot Order

As mentioned above during the process of Booting, the BIOS will look for a storage device that actually contains the Operating system. It can be a Hard drive, Solid State Drive (SSD) , CD/DVD drive, or a USB flash drive. The priority for the devices to boot is given in a sequence known as the Boot Order. 

By default many computers have Hard drive as the first option in boot order. Due to some reasons the Hard drive can be changed from the Boot Order and any other devices moves to the first place in the boot order. When this happens the BIOS may try to boot from a storage device that actually does not contain the Operating system. The solution for this is confirming or making the Hard drive the first priority in boot order.

To change the Boot Order,

        1. Turn on your computer.
        2. Press ESC key repeatedly to open Startup Menu.
        3. Then Press F10 key to open BIOS Setup Utility.
        4. Move to the Boot Order tab by using the arrow keys.
        5. Make sure that Hard drive is the 1st option in the Boot 
            Order.
        6. Press F10 key to Save and Exit. 

2. Replace the Hard drive

Like every other electronic devices, Hard drive too fails overtime. Most of the Hard drives today comes with the Manufacturer's warranty period of 2-5 years. After this period the Manufacturers are recommending users to replace the Hard drive for a better performance. 

Apart from the long usage some external factors too can contribute for a Hard drive fail. Those are the Head Crash, Exposure to fire, Magnetic Fields, Mechanical Shocks and Malware attacks. These fails can be immediate or progressive depending on the depending on the damage caused. When this happens it can be hard for a user to recover the data stored. Sometimes it is possible to partially or totally recovering the data from a Data Recovery Company but it will cost a significant amount. 

The most sort out method to solve this is by simply replacing your hard drive. But before you move to purchasing make sure that the system does not recognize your hard drive.

To check whether the Hard drive is detected,

        1. Turn on your computer.
        2. Press ESC key repeatedly to open Startup Menu.
        3. Then Press F10 key to open BIOS Setup Utility.
        4. Make sure that SATA Hard drive is  detected.

If the system was unable to find the respective Hard drive, the Hard drive might be faulty or damaged. In this case consider purchasing a Hard drive from a local store or from an online shopping site. Before purchasing make sure to check the Hard drive model from the Manufacturer. 

3. Replace the SATA cables

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) cables are the components that transmits data from the Hard drive to the Motherboard. During early days PATA cables were used to transfer data. After the upgrade to the SATA cables, data transmission were much faster. 

Sometimes the issue can be from a faulty SATA cables rather than from the Hard drive. When this happens it will not only cause hindrances to the data transmission it will also make the Hard drive undetectable, since the SATA cables provide power to the Hard drive. For fixing this first check whether the SATA cables are firmly connected to the Motherboard ports and the Hard drive ports. Then check if it contains any tears or damages because overtime like other devices SATA cables too deteriorate. 

If you identify any tears or damages look for a spare cable that comes with the Hard drive. Most of the Manufacturers provide a spare cable for a replacement. If you couldn't find one try purchasing a New SATA cables from a local store or an online shopping site.

4. Remove Additional Devices

Sometimes the additional peripheral devices which you have connected can be one of the reasons for this error. As discussed earlier Boot Order in the BIOS determines which devices to boot first. Unknowingly you might have left devices such as CD / DVD and USB flash drives into the ports. This makes the BIOS boot from one of those devices. 

Before you start the computer remove all of the peripheral devices. Make sure to keep only the devices which is needed for the normal functioning of the Operating system such as the Keyboard and the Mouse. Now restart you computer and check whether the error pursuits.