Dell XPS laptops are known for their high performance and reliability, making them a preferred choice for families, students, and professionals. However, when a laptop displays the error “Operating System Not Found,” it often indicates a corrupted boot sector or partition table, making the stored data inaccessible.
This case study details how we successfully recovered personal documents, family photos, and videos from a Dell XPS laptop hard disk, after boot errors prevented access to stored files.
As Cambridge Data Recovery, with 25 years of experience, we used boot sector repair, partition reconstruction, and deep file extraction techniques to restore lost data.
Dell XPS Laptop Failing to Boot Due to Corrupt Boot Sector or Partition Table
A local family contacted us after their Dell XPS laptop failed to start, with the following issues:
- The laptop displayed “Operating System Not Found” on startup.
- BIOS detected the hard drive, but the operating system would not load.
- Attempts to run Windows Startup Repair or reinstall the OS failed.
- The drive contained irreplaceable family photos, personal documents, and videos.
Since reinstalling Windows or using disk repair tools could overwrite existing data, an immediate professional recovery solution was required.
Diagnosis & Evaluation
When the Dell XPS laptop’s hard disk arrived at our cleanroom facility, we conducted a full hardware and software diagnostic. Our findings:
- Corrupt Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT) – Preventing Windows from loading.
- File system inconsistencies (NTFS/exFAT) – Making stored data unreadable.
- No mechanical failure detected – Meaning a logical recovery approach was possible.
Since boot errors can lead to further file system damage if mishandled, we prioritized sector-level cloning and partition recovery.
The Recovery Process
1. Cloning & Imaging the Hard Drive to Prevent Data Loss
To preserve original data, we:
- Created a sector-by-sector clone of the Dell XPS hard drive.
- Used advanced recovery tools to bypass corrupted sectors and extract readable data.
2. Repairing the Boot Sector & Partition Table
Since the partition table was corrupted, we:
- Rebuilt the Master Boot Record (MBR) and GPT structures.
- Repaired the NTFS/exFAT file system to restore missing file paths.
3. Extracting & Verifying Personal Data
Once data extraction was complete, we:
- Recovered personal documents, family photos, and videos.
- Checked all recovered files for integrity and usability.
- Transferred the fully restored data to a secure external SSD.
The Results: 100% Data Recovery Success
Thanks to our boot sector repair and deep file extraction techniques, we successfully recovered 100% of the family’s lost data, including:
✅ Personal documents, letters, and saved files
✅ Family photos and videos, including irreplaceable memories
✅ Organized file structure restored for easy access
The family was able to regain access to their precious memories and personal documents, preventing permanent data loss.
Why Choose Us?
With 25 years of experience and tens of thousands of successful recoveries, we are the leading laptop hard drive data recovery specialists in Cambridge and the UK. Our expertise includes:
✔ Boot sector repair & partition table reconstruction
✔ RAW image file recovery & corrupted file repair
✔ NTFS/exFAT file system restoration
✔ Secure & confidential data retrieval for families & individuals
If your laptop is displaying “Operating System Not Found,” failing to boot, or preventing access to your personal files, stop using it immediately and contact us for expert data recovery.