Boot Up Problems

[JohnK]

I have an older IBM NetVista 682311U (desktop) running XP SP3. When I
turn the unit on I can only get F1 and F12 on the screen. When I click on
either key the key disappears from the screen and nothing happens. I tried
using the Boot Discs I created when I got the machine but nothing happens.
Someone suggested the hard drive was bad. Next I removed the hard drive and
put in a new hard drive and tried the Boot Discs again. Now, messages
recycle on the screen but the net of it is it can't find an operating
system. Suggestions please? I've already replaced the PC but I'd like to
get this machine working again so I can donate it to a nonprofit I work
with.

 

[philo]

I have an older IBM NetVista 682311U (desktop) running XP SP3. When I
turn the unit on I can only get F1 and F12 on the screen. When I click on
either key the key disappears from the screen and nothing happens. I tried
using the Boot Discs I created when I got the machine but nothing happens.
Someone suggested the hard drive was bad. Next I removed the hard drive and
put in a new hard drive and tried the Boot Discs again. Now, messages
recycle on the screen but the net of it is it can't find an operating
system. Suggestions please? I've already replaced the PC but I'd like to
get this machine working again so I can donate it to a nonprofit I work
with.

If you put in a new HD, it would be normal for you to get the "no operating"
system message.

set your bios to boot first from cdrom
and see if you can install Windows on your new HD

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for the response. I think I did what you asked and now I get the
message NTLDR is missing. Hit Alt + Del and restart.

It just keeps cycling thru this sequence.

Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for the response. I think I did what you asked and now I get the
message NTLDR is missing. Hit Alt + Del and restart.

It just keeps cycling thru this sequence.

Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[John John (MVP)]

You have to install the operating system, there is nothing at all on the
new drive.

John

 

[Alias]

Thanks for the response. I think I did what you asked and now I get the
message NTLDR is missing. Hit Alt + Del and restart.

It just keeps cycling thru this sequence.

Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

I get the feeling you don't know how to get into the BIOS. It's usually
either F2 or Del before the beep the computer makes when first booting
up. Once within the BIOS, look for Boot or Boot order and set it to boot
from the CDROM or DVDROM first, hard drive second. Insert the XP CD and
save and exit and follow the instructions that the XP install presents you.

After XP has installed some of the install, it will reboot. DO NOT "hit
any key" to boot off the CDROM. Just wait and the install will continue
and finish. Once you're done, go back into the BIOS and set it the way
it was originally.

Alias

 

[philo]

Thanks for the response. I think I did what you asked and now I get the
message NTLDR is missing. Hit Alt + Del and restart.

It just keeps cycling thru this sequence.

Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

You need to set the bios to boot first from cdrom

depending on your machine there are several different ways to get to the
bios (setup)
menu...

it's typically the <delete> key
but can also be F1 or F2...
or on a Compaq machine, it would be F10

if you are lucky the bios screen should tell you which key to hit
for setup

once you are in the bios, you will need to look for "boot"
or "boot order" then set the CDROM as first device and HD second
(may be IDE-0)

 

[Ron_22999]

remember with a lot of computers you can-not use a wireless key board you
must use the old plug in type as the wireless is only recognised when the
computer is booted