Hi-
I have an HP laptop that is basically useless. When I turn it on I get a black screen that says "Operating System Not Found" I start loading the restore disks and when I get thru the 1st or 2nd one it stops and gives me Error #49, write Error and will not continue. It then ejects the restore disk and does nothing until I turn it off. Please help. Thank you.

49 Hard WRITE ERROR ON WHILE FILE (errorcode) WHILE command could not execute due to errorcode reported. Check the WHILE command expressions. IF OK, see the MPE Intrinsics Reference Manual. http://docs.hp.com/en/32650-90385/ch05.html

What is the exact HP model and # ?

Thank you for your response. It is an HP Pavillion laptop Model # ze4315us
with Windows XP home edition. Please advise.

These pages may take a bit of time to load. They are slow for me

Your exact behavior: Operating System Not Found is listed on the final link but the link within the link goes nowhere

In general this looks like a failing hard drive but you should check all the reinstall instructions to see if you can find an alternative.

Method 1: Test the Hard Drive
Use the steps below to test the hard drive in a Notebook PC using the HP Hard Drive Self Test.
Plug the AC Adapter into the Notebook PC.
Press and hold the Powerbutton for 5 Seconds to turn off the PC.
Press and hold the F10 key while you press the Power button to turn on the PC. Release the F10 key after text is displayed on the screen of the PC.
After the BIOS Setup Utility is displayed, use the Right Arrow key to select the Tools menu.
Select Hard Drive Self Test
Press the Enter key to start the test.

HP Pavilion ze4315US Notebook PC

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/p...&lang=en&cc=us

HP Notebook PCs - Error Message from the System BIOS is Displayed on a Black Screen Referring to 'Missing Operating System' During Startup or Boot

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00476274

HP Notebook PCs - Repairing or Reinstalling Windows XP with the HP Operating System Disc

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00006110

HP Notebook PCs - Error Message from the System BIOS is Displayed on a Black Screen During Startup or Boot

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...#c00480483_doc

Thank you I will try these methods and return tomorrow if I am unsuccessful. Thank you again SO much!

No problem

Here to help.

Let us know how it goes