Cousin dropped off her HP laptop after getting it back from HP after they replaced the motherboard. Specs are AMD Turion X2 TL-62 Dual-Core Mobile CPU, 2-250gig hd's, Nvidia graphics, & 17" screen. When she turned it on, the 'missing operating system' message appeared after BIOS screen. The BIOS sees both HD's. I tried the Vista repair and it doesn't 'see' anything. Can't boot to safe mode. I am doing a self test on 1st HD within the BIOS and it is running. I have taken both HD's out and tried to see them through USB on another PC. Nothing still. Can I assume that the mbr needs repair and/or needs to have the partitions repaired? I know I can count on you guys for sound, logical help. All opinions are appreciated and respected. Thanks. Loretta

It should haver come back in workng order, send it back.

Thanks for the reply. Yes..it should go back! But she says she needs the laptop for her business so I told her it I don't get it running by this evening, I will send it back for her. Anyway, after the self-test in the BIOS indicated that both were in good condition I took them out and then re-inserted them again and then I put the Vista 64bit disc in and voila! It found the operating system and repaired it. Now it purrs once again. I wish I knew why this happened! I guess I should just say...'it works now' and be done with it. You guys are still the cats! Loretta