Operating System Not Found

Hi,

I'm new to the boards and have a question. I own a Fujitsu LifeBook S series notebook (see signature for model number) and it is not operating anymore. When I power up the notebook, it will give me an error message stating "Operating System Not Found". I have gone into the BIOS and the computer does not detect my hard disk. I have performed the following tests in order to troubleshoot this issue:

1) Disconnected the hard disk from the notebook and connected it to my desktop using a USB connection. The desktop detects my hard disk with no issues, and I have used the program HDTune which found no errors on the hard disk.

2) Reinstalled Windows XP on the notebook after checking the hard disk with HDTune. Initially, when I reconnected the hard disk to the notebook, the computer detected the hard disk (as per the BIOS) and I was actually able to install Windows XP. However, on a cold power up, I got the same "Operating System Not Found" error and on further inspection through the BIOS, the computer did not detect my hard disk again.

3) I've also tried connecting another hard disk to my notebook in place of the original hard disk. This second hard disk was tested using HDTune on my desktop and showed no disk errors. Again, on boot up, I got the "Operating System Not Found" error and I the notebook also could not detect the second hard disk (as per the BIOS).

Questions:
1) Is it worth taking the notebook to a computer store for them to diagnose the issue ($45 a pop with no guarantee that a solution will be found).
2) I'm beginning to think my issues are not related to my hard disk but to my motherboard or at least to the connection between the hard disk and motherboard - is it possible to change the connection between the hard disk and motherboard, is it possible to change the motherboard on this notebook and is it even worth the effort?

Looking forward to some good suggestions, I've been trolling the NBR forums for a while now and have been impressed with the feedback.

Cheers,

Ernie

 

Remove the drive and reinstall, but make sure to fully seat the drive. It may not be completely pushed in to the connectors. If that doesn't help, then you could try restoring the BIOS to default settings, shut down, power up, and see if the drive is recognized.

Unless you are very gifted with a soldering iron, and have a mastery of the workings of a motherboard, I wouldn't try to repair the connection yourself. Swapping the motherboard isn't worth the effort, IMHO. If you've got $45, take it to a repair shop and let them look around.

 

I would guess that question number 2 is the correct diagnosis. If your laptop isn't under warranty any more, I wouldn't suggest getting a motherboard replacement (which is probably what it would take to fix it). They're prohibitively expensive (I was given a 500-600 estimate about 1 year ago). I think it's time to get a new laptop.

 

eastern - All I can add to keg's comments is to disconnect it from power and remove the battery for 20 minutes or so, then try it again. Sorry to hear about your dilemma - I hope your mobo isn't broken.

 

Hi, I had exactly the same experience recently.
It all started with a strange error message in XP (SP3) without having done anything in the SW. I rebooted and it said a file was missing or corrupt = cannot boot, keep rebooting.
I also remove the drive, checked carefully with a diagnostic tool (from Hitachi) and no errors at all. I was able to copy the whole drive for backup, no issue.
I reloaded the BIOS, plugged the HDD into the laptop after I formatted it. F2= HDD detected. But "Operating System Not Found" during the boot.
<<HINT>> after this message, every time I remove the drive and insert it again, no more "Operating System Not Found"

I installed a fresh XP SP3, can use all the functions but get several BSOD at times, related to pagemgr.sys or ftdisk.sys or others.
rebooting = "Operating System Not Found". Remove/reinsert the HDD and I can boot and use XP for a while.

I also came to the conclusion that it is not HDD related (btw, it's only 8 months old). But more likely linked to the board.
Even using the XP CD with Recovery Console sometimes cannot show the C: drive. Not shown in the Map. It means that the laptop sometimes looses the detection of the HDD, isn't it?
=> But where is the issue?
I seldom move the laptop, didn't get any shock.
I guess the motherboard must be inspected...

It's an Samsung P28 from Dec.2003 and it never failed before.
Thanks for any tips ;-)