"Select Proper Boot device???"

[5hulses]

I received this message on my desktop today. Have no idea what this means.
The computer just went to a screen that said " reboot and Select proper Boot
device or Insert Boot Media in Selected Boot device". What the f--k?? This
is new to me. I tried to re-install my copy of Windows XP but nothing
happens. I have a Pentuim 4 w/208GHz & 1.00GB of Ram.....Please help.

Tia

P.S. I an writing right now from this computer.....it seems to have a mind
of its own.. whenever it feels like it, it will boot up! Crazy, yes??

 

[philo]

I received this message on my desktop today. Have no idea what this means.
The computer just went to a screen that said " reboot and Select proper Boot
device or Insert Boot Media in Selected Boot device". What the f--k?? This
is new to me. I tried to re-install my copy of Windows XP but nothing
happens. I have a Pentuim 4 w/208GHz & 1.00GB of Ram.....Please help.

Tia

P.S. I an writing right now from this computer.....it seems to have a mind
of its own.. whenever it feels like it, it will boot up! Crazy, yes??

Check the bios to see if the HD is detected

 

[Jim]

I received this message on my desktop today. Have no idea what this means.
The computer just went to a screen that said " reboot and Select proper
Boot
device or Insert Boot Media in Selected Boot device". What the f--k??
This
is new to me. I tried to re-install my copy of Windows XP but nothing
happens. I have a Pentuim 4 w/208GHz & 1.00GB of Ram.....Please help.

Tia

P.S. I an writing right now from this computer.....it seems to have a
mind
of its own.. whenever it feels like it, it will boot up! Crazy, yes??

Is your BIOS set to boot from the hard disk first?
It sounds like you have the boot order such that the computer tries to boot
from the CD first.
If the BIOS tries to boot from the CD and if there is no disk in that drive,
the messages would seem more likely.
Jim

 

[5hulses]

And how can I check the Bios??

Check the bios to see if the HD is detected

 

[5hulses]

But I put in my Windows Xp Cd in and the message still appeared & it didn"t
read the cd

 

[Jim]

But I put in my Windows Xp Cd in and the message still appeared & it
didn"t
read the cd

Next, you should try the Windows CD on another computer. It is possible
that the CD has been damaged.
Then, you should try other Windows CDs on your computer. It is possible
that the drive or the BIOS are bad.
You fix a bad drive by replacement. Fixing a bad BIOS is not something that
is easy or cheap to do.
I would take the computer to a local shop for testing of the BIOS because
all I would know to do would involve buying a new motherboard.
Jim

 

[Big Al]

I received this message on my desktop today. Have no idea what this means.
The computer just went to a screen that said " reboot and Select proper Boot
device or Insert Boot Media in Selected Boot device". What the f--k?? This
is new to me. I tried to re-install my copy of Windows XP but nothing
happens. I have a Pentuim 4 w/208GHz & 1.00GB of Ram.....Please help.

Tia

P.S. I an writing right now from this computer.....it seems to have a mind
of its own.. whenever it feels like it, it will boot up! Crazy, yes??

The fact that you say the PC is working now, and later you'll still have
the problem, could imply the Hard drive is going bad. That or the
controller card, which if both the drive and cd are IDE, or both are
SATA, they experience the same issue together.

If you get the pc in a working mode, I'd try reading a CD real quick,
and if it works, then its not the CD drive. I would not make bet that a
hard drive and a cd are both going bad at the same time, I'd point more
to the controller or motherboard.

Of course things like a faulty powersupply can do all sorts of things
too. That or a lose cable if both devices are on the same IDE cable.