unable to boot Windows XP

[swing]

Hi,
I'm having trouble booting windows xp.
I keep getting a error message telling me that I need to insert a boot
disk in order to start an Operating System. I've tried fixing this with
the xp recovery console using FIXBOOT. Windows started normally but
after rebooting the error returned again. I've tried the command
FIXMBR. It lasted a little bit longer this time but after rebooting my
pc a couple of time I got the same problem again.

Every time i want to start the recovery console I need to set my BIOS
back to default. I guess my pc automatically changes something in my
BIOS every time i reboot my pc.

I'm considering reinstalling my system. I hope someone can tell me what
is causing this problem and how to fix it because I'm afraid this
problem will return.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

This message (on a black screen?) is normally from the BIOS, not Windows, and
indicates that the BIOS cannot find any disk with a bootable OS on it.

This is most likely due to a configuration problem. It may be that the
boot-order in the BIOS settings has been set to exclude the drive containing
Windows.

I doubt if Windows is responsible for this one- if the NT Loader isn't
starting then the problem is fairly fundamental.

It might also be quite simply that a faulty bootable CD/DVD has been left in
the drive. It wouldn't be the first time I've had an emergency callout to
repair a machine that a user had been playing a (prohibited) game on, and had
left the CD in. <g> By the same token, could be a USB stick or floppy with a
bootsector but no OS.

On most computers you press Delete at startup to access the BIOS settings.
Occasionally it's F2 (HP) or F12 (Acer) The boot order is normally under
"Advanced Chipset" or the like.

Finally, the MBR of the disk could be corrupted. You normally fix this with
FDISK /MBR from a DOS bootdisk - or FIXMBR from the recovery console.

 

[Guest]

This might not be relevant....I had the problem of not being to start Windows.
I put in my Windows CD and it reported that I had no O/S. WHAT??
Somehow my Hard Drive was LOOSE. Maybe from vibration?
At any rate, I opened computer and check connections and it booted!
You are a brave soul messing with the BIOS.