"Cannot Find Operating System" error message

[fduvall]

My computer will not boot, and I am getting a DOS screen (I think) with the message "Cannot Find Operating System." I opened the computer, looked to see that everything was still connected, moved things around a bit, and tried to re-boot. It worked once, but now I am getting the message again.

It sounds like the Hard Drive (Quantum Fireball) is spinning, and the computer beeps once and clicks 3 times before I get this message (which I think it has always done). I looked around on the MS support site, but can't seem to find anything about this error message.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks,

farley.duvall@idea.com[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

[Souka]

Two likely causes.

1: you have a floppy disk in the drive....remove it.

2: your HD either is physically failing, or the OS is corrupt. download this Utility (Powermax) from Maxtor and try checking the drive. If the drive checks out, you got OS issues....if this is the case, what OS are you running? and do you have the install CD? (I'll tell you have to recover without losing your data).

 

[fduvall]

Thanks for the reply. I did have a disk in the drive when I first noticed it, but removed it and continue to get the error message.

I am running WindowsME (I have the install disk). I also own WinXP, but have not installed it. If I installed it, do you think it would recognize the drive and save my data?

If I download this utility to a floppy, how do I get it onto my machine if it will not boot?

Thanks,

Farley

Originally posted by: Souka
Two likely causes.

1: you have a floppy disk in the drive....remove it.

2: your HD either is physically failing, or the OS is corrupt. download this Utility (Powermax) from Maxtor and try checking the drive. If the drive checks out, you got OS issues....if this is the case, what OS are you running? and do you have the install CD? (I'll tell you have to recover without losing your data).

 

[Souka]

Do you have a friend that can make a boot disk for you so can run the disk? (What machine are you using now? does it have a floppy drive?).

The web link I provided gives you instructions on how to use the program.(you mighht want to print out the page for reference)

Do the above first.


Now if you decide to upgrade to WinXP (recommend 256mb ram...128mb works, but kinda pokey), you should be able to boot from the install CD and there "should" be an option to upgrade your current OS. MS site should have some good documentation on this.... (I haven' t done a boot-upgrade on XP yet, so I won't try to advise further).

 

[fduvall]

Souka - I have a laptop that I can run on my wireless network. I will read the program instructions and give that a try tonight. Also, have 512k RAM and 80k HD, so no problem upgrading. This box is 1.5 yrs old, and I purchased a PSP from BestBuy, so I might just take it in, after I get my data (haven't done a back up for 3 months...doh!). I wonder if I need to install the original Video card and memory to use the PSP. WIll they void me if I don't?? Thanks, again, for the advice. Will run PowerMax util tonight.

FDuvall

Originally posted by: Souka
Do you have a friend that can make a boot disk for you so can run the disk? (What machine are you using now? does it have a floppy drive?).

The web link I provided gives you instructions on how to use the program.(you mighht want to print out the page for reference)

Do the above first.


Now if you decide to upgrade to WinXP (recommend 256mb ram...128mb works, but kinda pokey), you should be able to boot from the install CD and there "should" be an option to upgrade your current OS. MS site should have some good documentation on this.... (I haven' t done a boot-upgrade on XP yet, so I won't try to advise further).

 

[Souka]

Far as warranty, you can just read your terms of the warranty agreement (painful) or call a different BB and ask "If I upgraded my RAM and Video card, will I have any problems getting service on my system (and tell them the error)?"

If they say "not a problem"...bring it in....
If they say "that voids your warranty"....well, I'm not saying to do this, but a person could put the original memory and video card back in and take the system in for repair.

WARNING: Get your data off the system (copy) as often the repair shops just reinstall the drive from scrratch from a pre-build image.....


Good Luck!

 

[fduvall]

Souka - Ran the PowerMax utility, and it would only recognize Slave and Master 2. Nothing on 1. Tried just about everything that PowerMax could do. Probably need to bring it in to BB. I did buy their PSP. Hope it comes in handy for once.

FDuvall

 

[Souka]

Sorry to hear.....yeah, sounds like the HD might be going out. Could also be your mainboard, but that's pretty uncommon.

Good Luck!