The specified Windows operating system is missing.
The specified Windows operating system is missing.
Hi,
My PC runs an ASRock X570 Taichi motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X CPU. It has worked well for years until a few days ago when I performed a Windows update and then shut it down. Since then, it won't start and displays a "Windows operating system not found" error.
I have two SSDs installed: a 1 TB M.2 drive which is the boot drive, a 1 TB SSD for storage, a 6TB HDD, and a DVD drive. All drives are visible in the BIOS but not accessible through the Boot Loader. Both SSDs are currently unavailable for booting or installing Windows.
Here are some BIOS screenshots for reference:
https://ibb.co/39kBL614
https://ibb.co/d0TqSbkC
https://ibb.co/HfWxgHvZ
It looks like the issue might be related to a software problem within the BIOS or MBR, rather than a hardware failure, since both SSDs remain visible and functional.
The PC hasn't been moved, and I've confirmed all connections are secure.
Please let me know if you need any help.
Kind regards
Lee
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
If CSM is turned on in your BIOS, turn it off and check if your drives appear in the bootable devices menu. To proceed, there is a pending BIOS update. I recommend flashing the BIOS to the newest version, then resetting CMOS and observing any changes.
Another option is to remove all drives from your system except for the one running the operating system.
Hi,
Thankyou so much for your response very much appreciated. I tried the recommendation to check CSM. Then tried all of the bootrec options and a few others. I've not tried disconnecting all drives except the boot/OS drive yet.
The boot drive is actually F: for some reason.
I've tried a range of things. At a bit of a loss for where to go. I guess a reinstall is probably all I can do.
https://ibb.co/wqS5xLN
Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-05-51cb1d0c hosted at ImgBB
Image Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-05-51cb1d0c hosted in ImgBB
ibb.co
https://ibb.co/pv7n1xqj
Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-06-f2beceb5 hosted at ImgBB
Image Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-06-f2beceb5 hosted in ImgBB
ibb.co
https://ibb.co/fY5t9sD9
Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-07-c27cdeed hosted at ImgBB
Image Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-07-c27cdeed hosted in ImgBB
ibb.co
https://ibb.co/dsMjky1j
Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-08-792adbf3 hosted at ImgBB
Image Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-08-792adbf3 hosted in ImgBB
ibb.co
https://ibb.co/MDgq0qFB
Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-09-95f35f8b hosted at ImgBB
Image Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-09-95f35f8b hosted in ImgBB
ibb.co
https://ibb.co/RpHxXkJp
Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-10-52d5e3ab hosted at ImgBB
Image Whats-App-Image-2025-03-05-at-20-12-10-52d5e3ab hosted in ImgBB
ibb.co
Any other ideas would be very much appreciated.
Ensure your boot drive C: is connected to the SATA 1 port on your motherboard. Keep it plugged in, disconnect the others, and try to start your PC. Observe if it boots into BIOS and verify the boot order—make sure Windows is set as the first drive (your Samsung EVO 860 SSD). Check if you can successfully launch Windows. If it works, shut down and reconnect the remaining drives. Lutfij suggested clearing the CMOS to see if changes occur. Please let me know your progress or ask for further diagnostics. Thanks.
Hello everyone, thank you very much for your help. Just checking in again. After trying many troubleshooting steps, it seemed the problem was with the M.2 boot drive. I couldn't get the PC to start from it. I also got a replacement M.2 drive and an external USB 3.0 M.2 adapter to access another M.2 drive via USB on my PC, but it still doesn’t work. It’s strange because I was able to see the drive in BIOS, but when trying to open it in Windows Setup it wouldn’t appear. In short, I gave up on spending more time fixing it and used the new drive to rebuild the system, which is now functioning properly. Appreciate all your time. Hopefully one day I’ll find out what’s wrong with the original drive, but for now it’s just adding to my desk decor. Thanks again.