unbootable
Cannot load OS
Unbootable describes a computer or storage device that cannot start up its operating system.
A corrupted hard drive, damaged system files, or faulty installation can leave a machine unbootable: After the power surge, my laptop was completely unbootable.
The term appears mainly in technical troubleshooting contexts.
Made impure or dishonest
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- damagedMade worse by injury
- fragmentedBroken into pieces
bad sectors · power surge · failed update · disk failure · overheating · dead battery · loose connection · water damage
Unlit monitor state
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
- hangingExecution by noose
- stuckUnable to move
looping · error message · blinking cursor · no signal · spinning wheel · crash · halt · deadlock
Boot-up initialization firmware
- bootloaderInitial startup program
- firmwareHardware's permanent programming
- UEFIFirmware interface for booting
- POSTStartup hardware verification
partition · kernel · operating system · disk · drive · motherboard · CMOS · startup
Made permanently nonfunctional
- deadNo longer alive
- inoperableCannot be repaired
- unusableUnfit for purpose
- non-functionalNot serving its purpose
unrecoverable · kaput · toast · fried · broken · failed · down · offline
Systematic fault diagnosis
- diagnosticsMethods identifying problems
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- reinstallInstall something again
- reformatChange layout or structure
restore · flash · safe mode · data recovery · technician · backup · clone · reimage
corrupted
Made impure or dishonest
fragmented · bad sectors · power surge · failed update · disk failure · overheating · dead battery · loose connection · water damage · bricked
black screen
Unlit monitor state
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
- hangingExecution by noose
stuck · looping · error message · blinking cursor · no signal · spinning wheel · crash · halt · deadlock · freeze
BIOS
Boot-up initialization firmware
- bootloaderInitial startup program
- firmwareHardware's permanent programming
- UEFIFirmware interface for booting
POST · partition · kernel · operating system · disk · drive · motherboard · CMOS · startup · safe mode
bricked
Made permanently nonfunctional
- deadNo longer alive
- inoperableCannot be repaired
- unusableUnfit for purpose
non-functional · unrecoverable · kaput · toast · fried · broken · failed · down · offline · unresponsive
troubleshooting
Systematic fault diagnosis
- diagnosticsMethods identifying problems
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
- reinstallInstall something again
reformat · restore · flash · safe mode · data recovery · technician · backup · clone · reimage · firmware update
unbootablebootable
Able to start system
launchable · functional · startable · working · operational
boot, bootable, boots, booted, booting, reboot, rebooted, rebooting, reboots