How to Fix “Select Proper Boot Device” & “Insert Boot Media”

Understanding the Error Messages

The error messages “Select Proper Boot Device” and “Insert Boot Media” appear when your computer’s BIOS cannot find a bootable device. This means the BIOS is unable to locate an operating system on your hard drive or other bootable media like a USB drive or DVD.

Possible Causes

• Incorrect Boot Order
• Corrupted Operating System
• Faulty Hard Drive
• Loose or Damaged Cables
• Damaged Boot Files

Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Check Boot Order

One common cause of these errors is an incorrect boot order. To verify or change your boot order, follow these steps:

• Restart your computer.
• During startup, press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, DEL, or ESC) to enter the BIOS setup.
• Navigate to the Boot Menu using the arrow keys.
• Ensure that your hard drive is listed as the primary boot device.
• Save the changes and exit the BIOS.

2. Inspect Hard Drive Connections

A loose or damaged cable can prevent the BIOS from recognizing your hard drive. Follow these steps to inspect the connections:

• Turn off and unplug your computer.
• Open the case carefully.
• Check that the SATA and power cables are securely connected to your hard drive.
• Reassemble your computer and restart it.

3. Repair Boot Files

Sometimes, the boot files can become corrupted. Use a Windows installation disk or USB to repair them:

• Insert the Windows installation media and restart your computer.
• Press any key to boot from the media when prompted.
• Select your language preferences and click ‘Next’.
• Click ‘Repair your computer’.
• Navigate to ‘Troubleshoot’ > ‘Advanced options’ > ‘Command Prompt’.
• Type bootrec /fixmbr and press Enter.
• Type bootrec /fixboot and press Enter.
• Type bootrec /rebuildbcd and press Enter.
• Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

4. Perform a Clean Installation

If the above methods fail, you might need to perform a clean installation of Windows. This will erase all data on your hard drive, so make sure to back up important files:

• Insert the Windows installation media and restart your computer.
• Press any key to boot from the media when prompted.
• Select your language preferences and click ‘Next’.
• Click ‘Install now’.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Conclusion

Dealing with “Select Proper Boot Device” and “Insert Boot Media” errors can be frustrating, but following these steps can help you resolve the issue. Ensure that your boot order is correct, inspect hardware connections, repair boot files, or perform a clean installation if necessary.