Booting issues

[Nathan Funk]

I have a computer that I can not get to boot from any bootable CDs or
HD. I can only successfully boot with a diskette. Once the machine gets
past the BIOS, an error is reported (the message depends on the disc
inserted).

For Windows XP, the error message is "CDBOOT: Cannot boot from CD -
Code: 5"

I have tried 2 different CD-ROM drives and I get the same error with
both.

I have updated the BIOS to the most recent stable version. I have also
drained the MB battery to clear the CMOS.

What might the problem be? Is it possible that this is an IDE
controller problem? Any hints would be helpful.

Thanks,

Nathan

 

[Chris Hill]

I have a computer that I can not get to boot from any bootable CDs or
HD. I can only successfully boot with a diskette. Once the machine gets
past the BIOS, an error is reported (the message depends on the disc
inserted).

For Windows XP, the error message is "CDBOOT: Cannot boot from CD -
Code: 5"

I have tried 2 different CD-ROM drives and I get the same error with
both.

I have updated the BIOS to the most recent stable version. I have also
drained the MB battery to clear the CMOS.

What might the problem be? Is it possible that this is an IDE
controller problem? Any hints would be helpful.

I'd start with memtest86. If that is fine I'd then probably start
looking at the board itself.

 

[Nathan Funk]

I ran memtest86 a few days ago and it only reported one error in its
whole sequence of tests (a single bit was not written or read
correctly). So I don't think this is the cause of the problems, but I
might be wrong.

I have to correct my previous message though - I have one bootable CD
that works with this machine. It is a CD-R of Ubuntu Linux LiveCD v4.10
(Warty). I can boot it consitently without any issues.

Thanks,

Nathan