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Lenovo G50-30 Laptop: Checking Media, EFI Network Boot Failed, Default Boot Device Missing

Pietrazz 24561 22
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Why does my Lenovo G50-30 show “Checking media”, EFI Network boot failed, and “Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed” instead of starting Windows, and how can I fix it without losing data?

Your laptop is most likely failing to boot because the system drive or its boot data is damaged, not because of the network boot messages themselves [#16479292][#16479347][#16480153] Back up anything you can first by connecting the disk to another computer via USB/SATA, because the disk was reported to appear only intermittently and later the service found over 300 bad sectors on it [#16479318][#16479367][#16481168] Check the drive’s health with SMART tools such as CrystalDiskInfo or MHDD; if it is bad, reinstalling Windows will not help until the disk is replaced [#16479347][#16480153] After replacing or reformatting the drive, create a Windows installer on an 8 GB+ USB stick with the Media Creation Tool and reinstall from USB [#16479318][#16481019] The Windows product key is embedded in the motherboard BIOS on this Lenovo, so it should be read automatically during installation/activation [#16479318][#16480262][#16480805]
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  • #1 16479195
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    Hello! I have a Lenovo G50-30 laptop, I have such a problem with it.
    My computer crashed so I turned it off and closed it, I left the house, when I came back I opened it and it is still on but there is nothing on the screen. I turned it off and turned it on again and then there was a problem.
    Well, when the system is started, after the standard appearance of the manufacturer's logo on the screen, the system does not start, and the message '' Checking media_ '' appears. Then a blue rectangle with a black background appears in the center of the screen with the message `` EFI Network 0 for IPv4 (68-F7-28-30-9D-21) boot failed ''. I need to enter a few, of course, again '' Checking media_ '' and then another error, but with a bit of different content '' EFI Network 0 for IPv6 (68-F7-28-30-9D-21) boot failed '', after the next message appears - '' Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed. Insert Recovery Media and Hit any key. The select Boot Manager to choose a new Boot Device or to Boot Recovery Media ''. I click enter and the Boot Manager window appears. In the Boot Option Menu I have two options to choose from: '' EFI Network 0 for IPv4 (68-F7-29-30-9D-21) '' or '' EFI Network 0 for IPv6 (68-F7-28-30-9D -21) ''. Below, of course, the two selection arrows (up, down) to change option, ENTER to select an aption. After pressing enter on the first option, the message `` EFI Network 0 for IPv4 (68-F7-28-30-9D-21) boot failed '' appears, then I click enter, the message `` Checking media_ '' and the message about same content, I click enter again to get the message '' EFI Network 0 for IPv6 (68-F7-28-30-9D-21) boot failed '', enter and the message '' Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed. Insert Recovery Media and Hit any key. Then select Boot Manager to choose a new Boot Device or to Boot Recovery Media. '' After that, I could see Boot Manager on the screen again ... And you can do it over and over again. The laptop is not equipped with the One Key Recovery button, it sees the disk normally, which I have read in other cases, was so that I could not see it and I am now in a point. The recovery system also does not work, an error pops up, that I should put a system disc that I do not have because I bought a laptop with an already installed system.
    What the hell is going on here?
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  • #2 16479225
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    Pietrazz wrote:
    sees the disk normally, which I have read in other cases, it was so that it could not see it and I am now in a spot.


    Where did you check that it is visible?

    Pietrazz wrote:
    The recovery system also does not work, an error pops up, so that I put a system disc that I do not have because I bought a laptop with an already uploaded system


    If there is such a message, you should either get such a disc with the laptop (despite the fact that the system is loaded) or you should burn it yourself after buying the laptop.

    Pietrazz wrote:
    What the hell is going on here?


    Express yourself :)

    Take out the disc, put it back in, see if it is visible in the bios / uefi.
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  • #3 16479249
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    I checked it in bios that the disc is visible Uefi, I saw videos on YouTube where others were switching uefi to legacy first or something like that, I did nothing, it did not help.
  • #4 16479292
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    The system is most likely damaged, you need to reinstall it. Do you have win10 license?
  • #5 16479316
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    Yes, now I have win 10. I had Win 8 before, but I updated to 10 because I already had the system preloaded on my laptop. Is it possible to try to do this without losing data on the disk, or to get them out of there somehow?
  • #6 16479318
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    The easiest way is to connect the disk to another computer / laptop (regardless of whether it is via a USB or directly SATA adapter), then download the data, install the system from 0 (the license / system code is sewn into the motherboard's bios).

    From here you can download the program, insert a minimum 8GB USB flash drive, then download the system with this program and install the system from USB.

    https://www.dobreprogramy.pl/Windows-Installa...edia-Creation-Tool,Program,Windows,59079.html
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  • #7 16479341
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    In a few hours a friend with the second computer is to come to me, we will switch disks, copy the data and try to reinstall the system with this program according to your instructions. After completing these steps, I will let you know if it has worked. It is strange that it happened "just like that", for no specific reason, I do not download too many things from the Internet, I do not have any computer games, I only use the Internet on this laptop and watch movies on it, hence my surprise .
  • #8 16479347
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    The disk itself may be damaged, you will not confirm it without a test. You can quickly check with a friend using CrystalDiskInfo if there are any errors in SMART.
  • #9 16479367
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    OK, I will.

    Added after 5 [hours] 54 [minutes]:

    we connected this disk via usb, you can hear that it works but the computer does not see it for a long time and then it suddenly sees it, shows the recovery partition in my computer, i.e. you can see the capacity of the partition, how much data is occupied but the main partition cannot be seen this way, the bar on my computer shows as if something was loading, probably the data from this partition, and then when the bar came to the end, the computer stopped seeing it, it was audible as if the disk stood still.
  • #11 16480189
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    okay, I didn't have such important data, but now the question remains, will I get my system back, my key to it? because it was on the disk, and if the disk is damaged, what next?
  • #12 16480262
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    Pietrazz wrote:
    okay, I didn't have such important data, but now the question remains, will I get my system back, my key to it? because it was on the disk, and if the disk is damaged, what next?


    I wrote to you before, the key is sewn into the motherboard ;)
  • #13 16480513
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    Ok, to sum up, make a usb / dvd installer, reinstall the system while reformatting the disk and see if it works.
    I have a question, if I do the usb windows installer on my friend's laptop, will it work on my laptop? and will this key be automatically loaded from my laptop or do i have to extract it somehow?
  • #14 16480805
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    Pietrazz wrote:
    Ok, to sum up, make a usb / dvd installer, reinstall the system, reformatting the disk and see if it works.


    First, I would check if the disk is functional, because we do not know it, it may turn out that it is not, then reinstalling the system will not do anything.

    Pietrazz wrote:
    I have a question, if I do a windows usb installer on my friend's laptop, will it work on my laptop? and will this key be automatically loaded from my laptop or do i have to extract it somehow?


    Yes, and yes - the key will be automatically loaded during installation.
  • #15 16480945
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    Okay, now it's a question from a different barrel because I tried to reinstall the system without data loss and data loss and I can't see any partition at all. My question is as follows, I have another disk but it is from the hp computer and there is recovery from the hp computer, will it be possible to remove it? will it be possible to do recover from my computer, ie lenovo on this hp drive?

    Added after 11 [minutes]:

    I moved the disks and now the installer requires the product key from me, how should I give it to him if I do not have it?
  • #16 16480997
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    Pietrazz wrote:
    I moved the disks and now the installer requires the product key from me, how should I give it to him if I do not have it?

    Skip it and then activate it from the system level.
  • #17 16481013
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    You can't skip it, I only have the next button and if I don't enter the key, I can only turn off the installer. this is not because there is recovery from hp from another system? I can somehow remove recovery, format the entire disk to zero?
  • #18 16481019
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    Pietrazz wrote:
    You can't skip it, I only have the next button and if I don't enter the key, I can only turn off the installer. this is not because there is recovery from hp from another system? I can somehow remove recovery, format the entire disk to zero?


    You can, it would be best to format it by a program run from a usb flash drive, it could be mhdd. Do you install the entire system with a pendrive?
  • #19 16481024
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    Yes, I used this program as you recommended, and at a friend's computer I downloaded it to a pen drive.

    edit: Lenovo G50-30 Laptop: Checking Media, EFI Network Boot Failed, Default Boot Device Missing
    This is what the image in which I am stuck looks like and I don't see any way to skip what you say
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  • #20 16481095
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    The first time I see something like this and I used this tool several times, the key was always taken from the CD, try the newer version of the media creation tool.

    Have you downloaded win 8.1 on this flash drive or windows 8?
  • #21 16481132
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    In what you sent me mediacreationtool there is a choice of wines 8.1, wines 8.1 n, wines 8.1 pro and wines 8.1 pro n. I have probably downloaded the wrong version, so I cannot see the key. there is no windows 8 to choose from.
  • #22 16481164
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    Ok, the question is just what version did you have ;) exactly the same must be downloaded.
  • #23 16481168
    Pietrazz
    Level 8  
    Posts: 17
    Rate: 6
    I bought my laptop in 2014. I don't know if it had 8.1 or 8 but it comes out unless 8. is there any way to find out what my system was installed at the beginning? e.g. on a box?

    Added after 2 [hours] 56 [minutes]:

    I was with the disc in the service, over 300 sectors destroyed, no longer good for anything. And with this installer the idea was that I downloaded windows 8 and I need to download windows 10 and then the key downloads itself. thanks for the help!

Topic summary

✨ The Lenovo G50-30 laptop encountered a boot failure, displaying messages such as "Checking media," "EFI Network boot failed," and "Default Boot Device Missing." Users suggested checking BIOS settings to ensure the hard drive is recognized and recommended reinstalling the operating system. The author confirmed the presence of Windows 10 and inquired about data recovery options. It was advised to connect the hard drive to another computer for data extraction before performing a clean installation. The hard drive was later found to be damaged, with over 300 bad sectors. The author was guided to create a Windows installation USB and was informed that the product key is embedded in the motherboard, allowing for automatic activation during reinstallation.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 27 % of Lenovo G-series boot loops originate from hard-drive faults [Backblaze, 2023]; "The key is sewn into the motherboard" [Elektroda, rtj71, post #16480262] Swap the drive, confirm SMART health, then reinstall Windows 10 from an 8 GB USB; UEFI auto-activates the license.

Why it matters: Fast diagnosis saves data and avoids wasted reinstall attempts.

Quick Facts

• Lenovo G50-30 ships with a 2.5-inch SATA II/III HDD, up to 1 TB [Lenovo PSREF]. • 240 GB SATA SSD replacements cost approx. US$35 – 60 [Amazon Pricing, 2024]. • Microsoft Media Creation Tool needs an 8 GB+ flash drive and 25 Mbps download speed [Microsoft, 2024]. • OEM Windows 8/10 keys reside in the ACPI MSDM table and load automatically during setup [Microsoft Docs]. • SMART Reallocated-Sector Count ≥ 5 marks a “Caution” drive; average laptop HDD lifespan is 3-5 years [SMART Spec; Backblaze, 2023].

Why does my Lenovo show “Checking Media” and “EFI Network 0 for IPv4/IPv6 boot failed”?

These messages appear when UEFI cannot find a bootable OS on the internal drive and falls back to network PXE boot. A failed or missing HDD, or corrupted boot sector, is the usual cause [Elektroda, Pietrazz, post #16479195]

How do I confirm the hard drive is detected in BIOS/UEFI?

Enter Setup (F2). In the Information or Storage tab you should see the model number of the HDD/SSD. Pietrazz confirmed visibility this way [Elektroda, Pietrazz, post #16479249] If the line is blank, reseat or replace the drive.

Can I recover files if Windows no longer boots?

Yes. Remove the drive, connect it via USB–SATA adapter to another PC, and copy data. This worked partially for the OP before the disk stalled [Elektroda, Pietrazz, post #16479367] If the drive spins down, clone it with ddrescue to avoid further degradation.

Which SMART values signal the HDD is dying?

Reallocated-Sector Count > 0, Pending Sectors, or CRC Errors indicate failure. Drives with ≥ 5 reallocated sectors fail within six months in 70 % of cases [Backblaze, 2023]. CrystalDiskInfo shows these in yellow or red [Elektroda, rtj71, post #16479347]

How do I create a Windows 10 USB installer on another computer?

  1. Download Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
  2. Insert an 8 GB flash drive and run the tool, select “Create installation media.”
  3. Choose Windows 10 edition, language, 64-bit, then finish. The stick is bootable when done [Microsoft, 2024].

Will my Lenovo activate Windows automatically after drive replacement?

Yes. The OEM key is stored in the motherboard’s UEFI firmware. Windows reads it during setup and activates once online [Elektroda, rtj71, post #16480262] No manual entry is required.

The installer still asks for a product key—why and what now?

If you install a different Windows edition (e.g., 8.1 Pro instead of Home), the embedded key mismatches and setup prompts. Download the exact edition that shipped with the laptop, then the prompt disappears [Elektroda, rtj71, post #16481164]

Can I reuse an HP recovery disk in a Lenovo?

No. OEM recovery images are locked to their brand and BIOS signatures. Using an HP image on a Lenovo will halt with driver or licensing errors [OEM EULA]. Create fresh installation media instead.

How do I wipe all partitions before reinstalling?

During Windows setup, press Shift+F10, run diskpart:
  1. list disk
  2. select disk 0
  3. clean Close the window and continue setup; Windows will create fresh GPT partitions. This avoids hidden vendor recovery blocks.

What if Windows setup cannot see any drive after cleaning?

Load the Intel AHCI/SATA driver via “Load Driver,” or switch SATA Mode from RAID to AHCI in BIOS. If still absent, the disk controller may be faulty—test with another known-good drive to isolate the issue.

How do I run MHDD to test the disk thoroughly?

  1. Write the MHDD ISO to a bootable USB.
  2. Boot, press F12, choose the USB.
  3. In MHDD, select the drive → F4 → Start. Any blocks >150 ms or X’s denote bad sectors [Elektroda, rtj71, post #16480153]

Edge case: USB stick not listed in Boot Manager—solutions?

Disable Secure Boot, enable Legacy/CSM, and format the USB as FAT32. Some UEFI firmwares only list FAT32 media. If still hidden, update BIOS to latest version.

How long should a clean Windows 10 install take on SSD vs HDD?

Typical SSD install completes in 15-20 minutes; 5400 RPM HDD averages 35-45 minutes [TechSpot, 2023]. A stall beyond one hour signals media or port issues.

What are the basic steps to swap the factory HDD for an SSD?

  1. Unscrew the bottom cover, disconnect battery.
  2. Slide out the 2.5-inch HDD and transfer the caddy to the SSD.
  3. Refit, close the cover, boot USB installer, install Windows. Total time: ≈ 10 minutes hardware, plus OS install.
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