'No boot device available'
Booting, i'm confronted by this message:
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Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A08
.....
No boot device available - strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility
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No amount of F1-striking made any difference. If i go into set up, the BIOS won't allow me to alter the boot sequence (previously configured for CD first, followed by HD). The FD is broken, so i'm not sure how i'm going to flash the BIOS.
The situation is the same whether a bootable CD is present or not
==========================
Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A08
.....
No boot device available - strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility
==========================
No amount of F1-striking made any difference. If i go into set up, the BIOS won't allow me to alter the boot sequence (previously configured for CD first, followed by HD). The FD is broken, so i'm not sure how i'm going to flash the BIOS.
The situation is the same whether a bootable CD is present or not
ASKER
It's a DELL Precision 220 desktop.
>>have you ever changed it before
I have
Perhaps it is a corrupt bios. If so, then what?
>>have you ever changed it before
I have
Perhaps it is a corrupt bios. If so, then what?
If no CD was present in the drive at startup I would say your HDD is crashed, but perhaps that was the issue? That you are trying to boot from a CD to reinstall your system?
Anyway, can you see your CD and HDD when you enter the BIOS setup?
What is the history, have your computer just crashed or is this a new machine you've build from scratch and never installed? If it's new then maybe your jumper configuration is set wrong i.e. both CD and HDD is on the same cable and both configured as slave/master.
It sounds really wierd that you can't change your startup sequence. I would say that this is either:
* because you either haven't found the correct buttons to press for changing the sequence, or
* the setting in quesetion is locked and under some tab in the BIOS setup you need to unlock it, typing in some sort of admin password
However, since your startup sequence is currently set to boot from CD and the computer refuses to boot from a CD that points more towards my earlier comment about jumper settings. Try disconnecting the HDD and see if the computer boots from CD. Try disconnecting the CD and see if the computer boots from your harddrive.
Anyway, can you see your CD and HDD when you enter the BIOS setup?
What is the history, have your computer just crashed or is this a new machine you've build from scratch and never installed? If it's new then maybe your jumper configuration is set wrong i.e. both CD and HDD is on the same cable and both configured as slave/master.
It sounds really wierd that you can't change your startup sequence. I would say that this is either:
* because you either haven't found the correct buttons to press for changing the sequence, or
* the setting in quesetion is locked and under some tab in the BIOS setup you need to unlock it, typing in some sort of admin password
However, since your startup sequence is currently set to boot from CD and the computer refuses to boot from a CD that points more towards my earlier comment about jumper settings. Try disconnecting the HDD and see if the computer boots from CD. Try disconnecting the CD and see if the computer boots from your harddrive.
ASKER
Bit of background:
Booting from the CD sometimes since it has a special Knoppix image on it.
All was well yesterday - i haven't changed anything.
I'm going to try another Knoppix as the current disk *was* a bit flaky on boot before, although this doesn't explain why no boot from HD now
Booting from the CD sometimes since it has a special Knoppix image on it.
All was well yesterday - i haven't changed anything.
I'm going to try another Knoppix as the current disk *was* a bit flaky on boot before, although this doesn't explain why no boot from HD now
OK, if it worked before forget what I said about jumpers.
Before putting time into installing anything on that drive though, I would run a HDD-diagnostics program to see if it is damaged or not. Download the ultimate Boot-CD...
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html
..and check what make your drive is (maxtor,WD etc.). This Boot-CD has diagnostics for most normal brands. It's just plain boring to reinstall the whole thing and then have it crash i a few days time, and getting a new drive on warranty is usually a lot simpler once you have an error code.
Before putting time into installing anything on that drive though, I would run a HDD-diagnostics program to see if it is damaged or not. Download the ultimate Boot-CD...
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html
..and check what make your drive is (maxtor,WD etc.). This Boot-CD has diagnostics for most normal brands. It's just plain boring to reinstall the whole thing and then have it crash i a few days time, and getting a new drive on warranty is usually a lot simpler once you have an error code.
ASKER
So how am i going to boot that CD ;-) ?
Well you said that you thought your CD booting probs could be because of a flaky custom knoppix-CD right? If that is the case then booting from the UBCD should work. In my experience booting burned CD:s from build-in CD drives in laptops can be a hassle if the Cd drive isn't brand new.
now that it lookes like it's a bios problem we must try and reset it
You will have to open the box and short the cmos battery by looking for a jumper next to the battery(the jumper should be on 2 of the 3 pins)you need to move the jumper 1 space to the right and leave it there with no external power connected for about 3min then place the jumper back where it was and switch on your pc you should see a cmos/checsum error(or similar)defaults loaded.
Try and change the sequence again.
Ps:another way to short the cmos/bios is to remove the battery for abot 15min for it to discharge
You will have to open the box and short the cmos battery by looking for a jumper next to the battery(the jumper should be on 2 of the 3 pins)you need to move the jumper 1 space to the right and leave it there with no external power connected for about 3min then place the jumper back where it was and switch on your pc you should see a cmos/checsum error(or similar)defaults loaded.
Try and change the sequence again.
Ps:another way to short the cmos/bios is to remove the battery for abot 15min for it to discharge
It's a laptop, IMO the batteries are more than often soldered to the mainboard.. and jumpers not readily available either. Anyway, I would definately download the service manual before starting to disassemble the computer and shorting the bios.
ASKER
>>Well you said that you thought your CD booting probs could be because of a flaky custom knoppix-CD right?
That was one scenario. I've eliminated that by using a reliable one - it didn't make any difference.
>>It's a laptop,
My machine is a desktop
>>Ps:another way to short the cmos/bios is to remove the battery for abot 15min for it to discharge
That sounds easier. btw i've recently replaced the battery as the system clock was losing time
That was one scenario. I've eliminated that by using a reliable one - it didn't make any difference.
>>It's a laptop,
My machine is a desktop
>>Ps:another way to short the cmos/bios is to remove the battery for abot 15min for it to discharge
That sounds easier. btw i've recently replaced the battery as the system clock was losing time
ASKER
>>as the system clock was losing time
Actually that wasn't the main reason. The FD wasn't working, despite being OK in reality
Actually that wasn't the main reason. The FD wasn't working, despite being OK in reality
Sorry, I jumped to conclusion, it's because I'm sitting at work with a pile of Dell Latitudes. Everytime I hear Dell I think Laptop.
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Could it be just that the IDE cable has come loose? , or the power to the drives that might explain why BOTH drives are not working.
ASKER
>>Ps:another way to short the cmos/bios is to remove the battery for abot 15min for it to discharge
All that happened is my clock came unset. Boot order options arestill stuck. Shall check cables while open
All that happened is my clock came unset. Boot order options arestill stuck. Shall check cables while open
ASKER
>>Just for KICKS......
Unbelievable!! (But true ;-))
I don't suppose you have any other sorts of 'magic' solutions for FDs do you?
Unbelievable!! (But true ;-))
I don't suppose you have any other sorts of 'magic' solutions for FDs do you?
Is this an HP? Some newer HP's you actually have to set the bios via the OS. Sounds weird, but it's true.
Maybe something got stuck in the floppy drive,you could take it out and shake it abit to see if something is loose.
I've seen the metal piece from the diskette get stuck in there before.
I've seen the metal piece from the diskette get stuck in there before.
What kind of computer do you have laptop or desktop?
If it's a desktop you might want to open the box and make sure that the harddrive cable's are in place,You say you cannot change the boot sequence but have you ever changed it before if yes it could be a corrupt bios,if not then you might not know how to do this.