# Need answer fast: "No bootable device" error on computer

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-no-bootable-device-error-on-computer/643972>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 13, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-no-bootable-device-error-on-computer/643972 "2012-12-13T23:52:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-no-bootable-device-error-on-computer/643972/1 "2012-12-13T23:52:18Z")

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> [@](#):
>

I have an ACER Aspire One netbook with Windows 7 Starter. I was watching a TV episode on iTunes when it froze on me. Ctrl+Alt+Del didn’t work, so I pressed and held the power button.

Now, after the restart screen, I have a DOS message saying:

PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable

PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM.  
No bootable device-- insert boot disk and press any key.

Pressing any key gives me the same error again. Powering down and back on, and Ctrl+Alt+Del’ing has the same result.

HELP!

(

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**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-no-bootable-device-error-on-computer/643972/2 "2012-12-13T23:57:24Z")

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Nevermind: Damn thing worked when I hit the power button again. Apparently it was just waiting for me to ask for help.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go home and have a heart attack.

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**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-no-bootable-device-error-on-computer/643972/3 "2012-12-13T23:59:00Z")

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Now might be the time to make a full backup if you don’t have one. Sometimes those types of problems start sporadically and are recoverable for a while before it goes for good.

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**Author:** ![FuzzyOgre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@FuzzyOgre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyOgre)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-no-bootable-device-error-on-computer/643972/4 "2012-12-14T00:19:34Z")

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Seconded. Make a copy of your data, NOW.

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**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-no-bootable-device-error-on-computer/643972/5 "2012-12-14T01:39:45Z")

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Thirded.

And don’t go for a cloud backup. Buy an external hard drive if you don’t already have one.