Correction: B) Should read "The boot block is missing from your hard drive..."
Sorry.
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KILLCMOS has killed my CMOS
I tried running KILLCMOS in order to get past my BIOS password on my old HP Vectra PC running WIN95 and now when I reboot all I get after the very beginning of the boot is OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND. I am afraid I get bamboozled by DEATHBOY. I was hesitant to run this program but after I saw it listed at what seemed like reputable sites, I gave it a shot! Bad move! I have files on that computer that I cannot get to but would really like to get back. ACtually, like to get it back up and running like before (without the bios password). Anybody out there able to give a novice a helping hand! The Vectra runs PHOENIX Bios (ver 4?)
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Answers
A virus designed to kill the CMOS?
seems odd the anti-virus goes crazy when you download this program, as I was always told if it smells like (Edited by Computer101) then it likely is(Edited by Computer101), but if you really want to know then taste it, and if it tastes like (Edited by Computer101) then it must be (Edited by Computer101).
Looks like you tasted it this time, and the taste was nasty.
I guess my point was it is possible someone replaced the file with a real virus, I know the real program is detected as a virus, but if someone replaces that with a real virus then it will cause you harm. personally I wouldn't use it if I wasn't completely sure it was safe. I would have tested it first on an old computer to be sure it was safe and not on one with critical data on it.
You might want to take a look here, maybe these people can help you recovering your system by selling you a new bios chip => http://www.badflash.com/
LucF
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by: GuyPaddockPosted on 2003-11-10 at 16:41:27ID: 9719148
Do you know if the BIOS is of the flashable kind?
Does it pass the POST test (startup test) okay?
Does it test memory?
If your computer runs the memory test and then tells you "OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND", it may be because:
A) The BIOS isn't configured to recognize your hard drive after being cleared. (Best case scenario; very likely)
B) The boot is missing from your hard drive and needs to be rewritten; it simply points to where your OS is located so that the BIOS can force it to be loaded.
C) The Partition Map or other file system structures have been cleared and need to be rewritten, if possible, for the BIOS to recognize you have any OS installed. (Worst case scenario; unlikely, but possible with a utility like the one you mentioned)
See if you can press F1 on startup to enter the BIOS config program; that's the normal key for PhoenixBIOS 4.0 and higher; ver 3.xx and lower use F10 I believe, you might also want to try that.
If you can get into the BIOS, try running the Hard Drive autodetection, or ensure that your "Primary Master" device settings is Auto, not "Disabled" or "None".
Report back with the results!
--Guy