6 Fixes: Loading Operating System, Disk Boot Failure

Quick Navigation:

• The issue: loading operating system, disk boot failure
• How to resolve “loading operating system, disk boot failure” easily
• How to prevent data loss from disk boot failure again
• Wrapping things up

The issue: loading operating system, disk boot failure

Disk boot failure. Insert system disk and press enter.

Loading Operating System ...

Boot from CD/DVD :

DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

Your PC is unable to start because it cannot find the operating system, displaying an error message that reads "Loading operating system, disk boot failure". This issue can be caused by a variety of reasons, including a faulty or corrupted operating system, a failing hard drive or SSD, incorrect BIOS settings, or a missing or corrupted boot sector.

• CD/DVD left in the disk reader
• New hard drive installed
• Faulty data cables
• Incorrect boot sequence
• Damaged hard drive
• Corrupted system files…

After getting reasons, the most important thing is to fix the "disk boot failure, insert system disk and press enter" issue. You can learn six quick fixes in the next part to resolve this problem.

How to resolve “loading operating system, disk boot failure” easily

To determine which reasons are relevant, you may want to start by screening the first 3 fixes and then try others. This initial screening can help you identify the most conventional and effective solutions.

Fix 1: Check if there is a CD/DVD inserted to your computer

Check if there's a CD/DVD in the optical disc drive, and remove it if you find one, then try to boot your PC again.

Fix 2: Check if you have installed a new hard drive on your computer

If you get a disk boot failure with a new hard drive, don't panic. It's a common issue. Simply insert your Windows installation CD, and restart your PC.

Fix 3: Check data cables and jumpers

To resolve the issue, ensure the jumpers on the hard drive are set correctly, as they may be preventing the drive from being recognized. Then, try re-plugging the hard drive cables to see if it becomes functional. If the issue persists, consider replacing the cables to rule out any connectivity problems. This troubleshooting step can help identify and potentially resolve the problem.

Fix 4: Set your computer hard drive as the first boot device

1. To access the BIOS, restart the computer and immediately start pressing a specific key, which will be listed on the first screen that appears before the Windows logo, and it's usually one of the function keys like Esc, Del, F2, F8, F10, or F12.

2. Move "Hard Drive" to the top of the boot order list by pressing "+" or "-" in the Boot tab.

3. Press F10 to save changes and restart computer.

Tip: The BIOS setup utility's menu option or configuration item related to boot order may vary in name, such as "Boot", "Boot Options", "Boot Order", etc., and can sometimes be found within a more general menu option like "Advanced Options", "Advanced BIOS Features", or "Other Options".

Fix 5: Check hard disk errors with the CHKDSK utility

1. Insert the Windows installation disc and boot from it.

2. To access the Command Prompt, go to the Windows Settings, then select "Update & Security", followed by "Troubleshoot", then "Advanced options", and finally "Command Prompt".

3. In the Command Prompt window, type `chkdsk C: /r` and press Enter, replacing C: with the drive letter where Windows is installed.

4. To resolve the disk boot failure issue, you can simply type exit in the Command Prompt and press Enter to close it. Then, restart your computer to see if the problem is resolved. This is a straightforward troubleshooting step that can often resolve the issue.

Fix 6: Restore system from a restore point recorded on your PC

1. Insert the Windows installation disc and boot from it.

2. To fix your computer, go to Repair Your Computer, then Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and System Restore. Follow the wizard to complete the recovery process.

Notes:

• You need to have created system restore points before you can perform system restore.
• You can learn how to enable System Restore from BIOS in Windows 7 from the provided link.

How to prevent data loss from disk boot failure again

When experiencing "loading operating system, disk boot failure", it's crucial to note that the error can lead to data loss and system crashes. To prevent data loss and ensure a smooth recovery process, it's recommended to create a system backup after resolving the issue. With a system backup image, you can easily restore your computer to its previous working state, and all data on the system will be restored as well, protecting you from potential losses due to boot errors like "Error loading operating system".

Qiling Disk Master Standard provides all-around backup solutions for you.

💛 There are five types of backup available: System/Disk/Partition/File Backup and Cloud Backup. You can choose one by your purpose.
💛 The software offers a Schedule Backup feature, allowing automatic backup at fixed intervals from daily to monthly. It also enables block level incremental backup and backup of only used sectors of the file system, enhancing backup efficiency.
💛 This software allows you to create a bootable media (CD/DVD, USB or ISO file) to boot a computer when it fails to boot, and includes all its features if you use a Windows PE boot disc type during creation.

This freeware supports all Windows PC operating systems, from Windows 11 to XP, and allows you to create a backup of your system to protect your data.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, 100% Secure

To fix disk boot failure in Windows 10/8/7, it's essential to take two preliminary steps:

1. To boot your computer, you need to create bootable media by choosing a bootable disc type and selecting the media you want to use, such as a USB drive or CD/DVD.

• Bootable Disc Type - Windows PE or Linux: The software has two versions, one for Windows and one as a bootable disc. The Windows version applies to Windows 11/10/8/7/XP/Vista and includes all the features, while the bootable disc version does not require installing any toolkits.
• Bootable Media - CD/DVD, USB, or ISO file: If you don't have any of the supported media, you can still try Recovery Environment.

2. Perform a system backup when your computer is in good condition. This ensures that your data is safely stored and can be easily restored in case of any future issues. Be sure to pay attention to the following items during the backup process:

• The system and boot partition(s) are selected by default.
• Multiple backup destinations: You can backup your system to any device that your computer recognizes, such as a USB flash drive, external hard drive, network drive, or cloud drive.
• USB plug in: If your backup disk is a USB drive, the paid feature "USB plug in" is a great option, as it will automatically back up your system to the USB drive whenever it's plugged in.
• Advanced backup and cleanup methods: Upgrading to the professional version allows you to utilize advanced backup methods, including differential backup, and also enables features such as backup by quantity, time, daily/weekly/monthly, and space cleanup.

Wrapping things up

If you're experiencing the "loading operating system, disk boot failure" issue, there are six quick fixes you can try, as outlined in this article. If none of these solutions work, the best way to avoid data loss is to create a bootable drive and perform a system backup using free backup software like Qiling Disk Master. This will help ensure that your important files and data are safe in case of a disk boot failure.

With this software, you can easily restore your computer to its previous state without any downtime, making it a must-have for anyone who doesn't have a system backup yet. It also allows you to clone an SSD to another SSD using the "Disk Clone" feature, making it a convenient and efficient tool for computer maintenance.

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