When you encounter the “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” error on an Asus computer, it signifies that the system is unable to find a bootable device from which to load the operating system.
This error can stem from a variety of issues such as problems with the hard drive, incorrect boot order settings, corrupted boot software, or other hardware failures. Understanding and resolving this error is crucial to regaining access to your computer.
This guide will walk you through the common causes and step-by-step solutions to troubleshoot and fix the issue, ensuring your Asus device boots correctly and efficiently.
Causes of Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device Asus
The “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” error on an Asus laptop usually means that the computer can’t find an operating system to start from.
There are several common causes for this issue, including problems with the hard drive, the order of boot devices, corrupted software needed to start the computer or other hardware failures.
Hard Drive Problems
One frequent reason for this error is issues with the hard drive. If the computer’s BIOS or UEFI (the systems that start your computer) can’t find a hard drive to boot from, it will show this error. This might happen if the hard drive is not connected properly, is damaged, or has parts that don’t work correctly.
Bootloader Problems
The bootloader is essential software that starts up Windows. If this software gets damaged, perhaps by a bad update or a virus, your computer won’t be able to load Windows.
Incorrect Boot Order
The BIOS/UEFI also sets the order of devices to try to boot from. If this order is set incorrectly, your computer might try to start from the wrong device, causing the error to appear.
Hardware Issues
Sometimes, other parts of your computer like the RAM, motherboard, or power supply might be faulty and prevent the computer from starting properly.
How to Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device Asus?
1: Verify if the BIOS Recognizes the Boot Drive
If you encounter a prompt to insert a boot device and press any key, you should first ensure that the BIOS recognizes your boot drive.
Accessing BIOS:
Restart your computer and press keys such as F2, Del, or Esc (depending on your model) repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup before Windows starts loading. You can look up the exact key for your specific computer model online.
Checking Drive Detection:
In the BIOS menu, go to the ‘Main’ tab or a similar section to check the list of detected devices.
Address Connection Issues:
If the desired drive where Windows should boot from isn’t listed:
Power down your computer.
Reconnect the hard disk using a new cable or different SATA port to ensure a good connection.
Reconnecting Installation Media:
If you see the message “Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key” during the installation of Windows on machines like Asus, Toshiba, Acer, or Gigabyte, ensure that your installation media is properly connected.
Once all connections are verified and secure, attempt to boot or install Windows again. This method can often resolve issues stemming from poor cable connections, faulty ports, or incorrect setup.
If the drive is recognized but you still face issues, consider moving on to additional troubleshooting steps.
2: Setting the Boot Order in BIOS
To adjust the boot order in your computer’s BIOS, you can typically find this setting under sections like “Boot,” “Startup,” or sometimes under “Advanced BIOS Features.”
Ensure the disk where you wish to install or start Windows is set as the primary boot device. If it isn’t, adjust this by setting the drive as the first boot option. For Windows installation, ensure the CD-ROM or removable device takes priority in the boot sequence.
Changing the Boot Sequence:
Utilize the “↑”, “↓”, “+”, and “−” keys to change the order of the boot devices. Remember to press F10 to save your changes and exit the BIOS, which should let you start or install Windows properly.
Additional Check:
Before you exit the BIOS, review each tab to verify the boot mode. Look for indications like “UEFI boot mode” for UEFI systems. If it reads “Legacy,” then your setup is on Legacy BIOS mode.
Occasionally, you might also encounter CMS (Compatibility Support Mode), supporting both UEFI and Legacy BIOS modes.
3: Rebuild MBR for Legacy BIOS Users
Starting the Process:
Open the main window of your tool, select the disk where Windows is installed, and choose the “Rebuild MBR” feature.
Applying the Changes:
Click “Apply” to confirm and make the changes.
After doing this, your computer should be able to start Windows. If it still doesn’t work, you might need to try another method to fix the issue.
Reset BIOS to Default Settings
Resetting your BIOS to its default settings can often solve problems. This restores the factory settings that are best for most systems, balancing performance and stability.
The exact name of this option varies by motherboard but may be listed as “Get Default Values,” “Load Optimized Defaults,” or “Load Optimal Defaults.”
If you continue to get the “Reboot and select proper boot device” error, the Windows boot files or the system itself is likely corrupted. In this case, you may need to repair or reinstall Windows, which requires a Windows installation disc.
Fix Windows Boot Files
Start with a Windows Repair Disc:
Insert a Windows repair disc into your ASUS, Acer, Toshiba, or Gigabyte PC.
Boot from the disc and click on “Repair your computer” to enter the Windows Recovery Environment.
Understanding the Issue:
The “Restart and select the correct boot device” error can suddenly appear and prevent access to your computer and files.
Restore Boot Files:
Open the Command Prompt from the recovery environment.
Depending on your system type, enter the following commands:
For Legacy BIOS users:
- Type Bootrec /fixmbr and press Enter.
- Type Bootrec /fixboot and press Enter.
- Type Bootrec /rebuild BCD and press Enter.
For UEFI users:
Type bcdboot C:\windows and press Enter.
After entering each command, press Enter. Once done, exit the Command Prompt and try to restart your computer.
Next Steps if the Problem Persists:
If your computer still displays the error message, you may need to reinstall Windows.
Reinstall Windows 10/8/7
When you reinstall Windows, it will delete all the files on the boot partition, usually the C drive. If you have important files there, you’ll want to back them up first, especially if Windows won’t start. Here’s how you can do it using MiniTool ShadowMaker, a professional backup software.
Backing Up Your Files:
- Create Bootable Media:
Use MiniTool ShadowMaker’s Media Builder to create bootable media and restart your PC from this media.
- Run MiniTool ShadowMaker:
From the MiniTool PE Loader page, open MiniTool ShadowMaker.
- Select Files to Back Up:
Go to the Backup page, select the files you need to back up and choose where you want to save them.
- Start the Backup:
Click ‘Back up Now’ to begin the backup process.
Once your files are safely backed up, you can proceed to reinstall Windows, which should resolve the “Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot Device and press a key” error.
If Problems Continue After Reinstallation: If reinstalling Windows doesn’t solve the problem or if the new installation of Windows still won’t boot, there may be an issue with your hard drive.
2 Special Cases to Fix the “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” Error
If you’ve tried everything and still see the error, here are two unusual solutions that have worked for others:
Case 1: Removing and Replacing the CMOS Battery
One user tried many solutions from the internet like changing the boot order, rebuilding the MBR, resetting the BIOS, and repairing the boot. None of these worked. However, after they removed the CMOS battery from their computer and then put it back in, the error was resolved.
Case 2: Enabling the Compatibility Support Module (CSM) in BIOS
Another person fixed the error by turning on the Compatibility Support Module (CSM) in the BIOS settings. This feature helps support older operating systems and hardware that may not be compatible with newer BIOS versions.
Conclusion
The “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” error on Asus computers can be frustrating but is usually fixable. You can try several solutions such as checking BIOS settings, rebuilding the MBR, or resetting the BIOS to its default settings.
If these don’t work, replacing the CMOS battery or enabling the Compatibility Support Module might help. If you’re still having trouble, reinstalling Windows could be the final step needed to solve the problem and get your computer running smoothly again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” Mean on my Asus Computer?
This error means your computer can’t find a place to start up from, like your hard drive or another device with your operating system.
How Can I Fix the “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” Error?
To fix this, check your computer’s boot order in the BIOS settings, make sure all cables are connected securely, rebuild the Master Boot Record if needed, or reset the BIOS to default settings.
How Do I Check the BIOS Settings on my Asus computer?
Restart your computer and press F2, Del, or Esc (it depends on your model) right away to open BIOS. You may view and modify the boot sequence as well as other hardware parameters.
Can a Faulty Hard Drive Cause the “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” Error?
Yes, if your hard drive is damaged or failing, it might not be detected by the BIOS, leading to this error. You might need to test the hard drive or replace it if it’s broken.
