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Computer Help and Support

csziggy

(34,189 posts)

13. Inside the BIOS, check the hard drive

Reply to kimbutgar (Reply #2)

Sat May 18, 2019, 12:15 PM

May 2019

Since you cannot start Windows, there is a possibility that the hard drive has gone bad or that the boot sector on the hard drive is damaged.

Lenovo (formerly IBM)

ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion, H535, 3000 Series, N Series, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation

Press F1 or F2 after powering on the computer.
Some Lenovo products have a small Novo button on the side (next to the power button) that you can press (you might have to press and hold) to enter the BIOS setup utility. You might have to then enter BIOS Setup once that screen is displayed.
Press F12 to access BIOS.
Older Lenovo products allow access to BIOS using Ctrl+Alt+F3, Ctrl+Alt+Ins, or Fn+F1.
https://www.lifewire.com/bios-setup-utility-access-keys-for-popular-computer-systems-2624463

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Lenovo+IdeaPad+S10-2+Hard+Drive+Replacement/52637

Then:

Changing out a hard drive should be easier than changing out the screen even on a laptop.

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27 replies

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I just replaced a broken Led screen on my son's hp laptop [View all] kimbutgar May 2019 OP

Probably not a lot you can do from the bios. Dr Hobbitstein May 2019 #1

No just a little loop like it's booting up. kimbutgar May 2019 #2

You should be able to download a copy of Windows 10 Dr Hobbitstein May 2019 #5

Yes I will try that today kimbutgar May 2019 #8

Try Google search for download windows 10 at140 May 2019 #11

+1,000,000 at140 May 2019 #10

Inside the BIOS, check the hard drive csziggy May 2019 #13

Some information needed ramblin_dave May 2019 #3

What is the error message when it doesn't boot? BootinUp May 2019 #4

No error message just a little round circle in dots going around and around kimbutgar May 2019 #7

I would leave it plugged in and let the spinning dots spin for a few hours (really!) eggplant May 2019 #18

Today I started doing that and I got to a one key recovery page awhile ago. kimbutgar May 2019 #27

Windows 10 came pre installed kimbutgar May 2019 #6

You can create a repair disk ramblin_dave May 2019 #9

I would be careful about re-installing Windows from a Microsoft-based copy of Windows 10 on a laptop mr_lebowski May 2019 #14

Mahalo. Good to know! mahina May 2019 #17

I booted with a linux stick drive & partition, then saved pics & programs I needed before I yaesu May 2019 #23

That works too, forgot about the Linux option ... mr_lebowski May 2019 #25

Congrats! Great news for those of us who remember the concept "repair" IndyOp May 2019 #12

Wow. You know how to do that? PatrickforO May 2019 #15

Awesome! mahina May 2019 #16

YouTube is a great resource for DIY repairs William Seger May 2019 #19

YOU ARE THE BOSS! Turbineguy May 2019 #20

I had the same problem with my Acer, it shutdown while doing a windows update & wouldn't start yaesu May 2019 #21

Way to take on a tough job!! Chin music May 2019 #22

Great job! colorado_ufo May 2019 #24

Try pressing F10 as the computer boots up to see if it will enter the Lenovo hardware diagnostic toddwv May 2019 #26