One of the most common problems Windows users run into is the inaccessible boot device error, which stops the computer from starting properly.
When the system will not boot, the files are often still on the drive. Before reinstalling Windows, see how hard drive data recovery works, starting with a free diagnosis.
It is a typical “blue screen of death” (BSOD) error, with the stop code 0x0000007B and the message “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE”. It appears while the computer is starting up and can even happen after a system update.
The error screen tells you that your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart.
It also says that Windows is collecting some information about the error and will restart once the progress counter reaches 100%.
So how do you fix it? That’s what we’ll look at in this article.
What is a boot device?
A boot device is any piece of hardware that contains, or can read, the software a computer needs to start.
In short: without this device, the machine cannot start.
When you turn on the computer, the BIOS (or UEFI) identifies which bootable device to start from.
It then reads the information on that boot device to load the computer’s operating system.
In other words, every time you turn on your computer, the boot device is quietly at work, allowing the operating system to load.
Bootable devices include, among others, CD-ROMs, floppy disks, internal or external hard drives, USB flash drives and other storage devices.
But remember: storage devices like these can only work as boot drives if they contain the boot files a computer needs to start up.
What does the inaccessible boot device error mean?
This error means that Windows started to load but lost access to the system partition during startup, so it has to restart. A similar message, “No bootable device”, appears earlier, when the BIOS can’t find any drive to boot from.
Unless you have just built or reset your computer, there is still a boot device in your PC.
The problem is that, for some reason, the computer can’t find it or can’t read it.
What causes the inaccessible boot device error?
The boot device error triggers a blue screen error with the message “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE” and occurs when the operating system can’t access the system partition while starting up.
The problems behind this error can also cause other system issues, including other blue screen errors such as VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR, INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR and many more.
That’s why it is important to fix it, to avoid more serious system problems in the future.
Here are some of the most common causes of boot device errors.
Damaged drive
In most computers, the boot device is the internal hard drive or SSD.
So when your drive has a problem, the boot drive inevitably becomes unavailable too.
Incorrect BIOS settings
If the computer’s configuration has changed recently, for example after an update, or if you have just connected a new storage device, the BIOS may try to boot from the wrong device, such as an external drive. Changing the storage controller mode in the BIOS (for example, from AHCI to RAID or IDE) is another classic cause of this error.
Corrupted boot sector or partition table
If the metadata on your drive is corrupted, the partition containing your operating system may look empty to the computer. We have seen many cases of drives with bad sectors failing to boot.
When this happens, the computer can’t find the boot files and reports that no bootable device was found.
Loose or faulty SATA/IDE cable
The SATA/IDE cable connects your drive to the motherboard and, without this connection, the BIOS can’t detect a boot device.
These cables rarely come loose or break, so this is the least likely cause, but it’s always worth checking.
How to fix the inaccessible boot device error
We don’t recommend trying to fix the problem yourself if the drive holds important data, but if you want to deal with the boot device error on your own, there are a few things you can do:
1. Check the hard drive connection
The SATA/IDE cable must connect the hard drive to the motherboard for the boot device to work. Always switch off and unplug the computer before checking it.
As mentioned above, these cables rarely break or come loose on their own, but it’s worth checking the connection.
2. Check the BIOS settings
To fix the problem, you need to make sure that the BIOS looks for the correct boot drive before any other storage device.
To check this, follow these steps:
- Find the instructions for entering the BIOS menu, which usually appear on the startup screen with your PC manufacturer’s logo;
- Usually you need to press a specific key (such as Del, F2, F10 or Esc), but this varies by manufacturer. Press the key as soon as you turn on the computer, because you only have a few seconds to open the BIOS menu;
- Once in the BIOS menu, go to the boot settings or boot order options;
- The menu should list all connected storage devices. Make sure the computer’s internal drive is first in the boot order. If it isn’t, that’s probably the cause of the error. If the internal drive doesn’t appear at all, it may be disconnected or faulty.
3. Reinstall the operating system
If nothing has worked so far, the last resort is to reinstall the operating system, which we don’t recommend doing yourself unless you are familiar with the process.
Remember that if you don’t back up your data regularly, you will lose it when you reinstall the operating system.
So if there is important data on your drive, don’t reinstall the operating system: talk to us first. We specialize in data recovery.
How do I recover data from a drive with a boot error?
To recover files and documents from a drive with boot errors, your best option is a professional data recovery service like Bot.
We’ll assess your device and work to recover your data safely.
When a hard drive needs to be opened, we do it in our Class 100 (ISO 5) cleanroom: a closed environment where the concentration of airborne particles is strictly controlled.
This protects the integrity of your drive and greatly reduces the risk of irreversible data loss.
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Conclusion
The boot device holds the software that allows your PC to start, so boot device errors stop your computer from starting.
These errors can be caused by a damaged drive, incorrect BIOS settings or a corrupted boot sector or partition table. They can also be caused by a loose or faulty SATA/IDE cable.
To fix the error, you can check the drive connection, review the BIOS settings or, as a last resort, reinstall the operating system.
In that last case, if you haven’t been making regular backups, you will lose all your files and documents.
However, you can still recover them with a specialist service such as Bot.
With us, your data recovery is handled safely and quickly. Our team is highly qualified, and the diagnosis takes up to 48 hours.
We also offer free collection of your device (islands not included).
You can trust those who have handled more than 200,000 cases: Start your recovery with Bot right now.
