Win XP Pro "OS not found"

[jurgenm]

I am having the following problem while starting my PC (HP
Pav XT 878, running Win XP Pro SP1 and SP1 a). It appears
in 2 variants:

1. Error Message
The PC shows the HP Invent screen, moves on to start the
OS and then tells me "Operating System not found" on a
blank "DOS-like" screen.

2. The PC shows the HP Invent screen and freezes at this
point. No further reaction.

Often, it does start through normally. The problem arises
in about 30% of attemted start-ups. Probably related to
that, peripherals (mouse, keyboard) do not function
anymore at the popint where I have to click the user name
and type in the user password during the start-up process.

Last night it all of a sudden made a physical memory dump
and shut down. This morning, it did an automatic chkdsk at
start-up, with no resulting errors.

Any idea? I thoiught my HDD my be damaged?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Any idea? I thoiught my HDD my be damaged?

Possibly, I would run a drive diagnostic on it. These are usually available
for free from the drive manufacturer. Be careful, as some of the tests will
erase data. It certainly sounds like you have a hardware issue. Detecting
and fixing it usually involves swapping in parts, and unless you have these
at your disposal you may need to bring it into a shop for repairs.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

I have one USB keyboard (used successfully for over two years) that will
make any computer, that it is connected to, fail to post. It took me damn
near 3 days to solve for this problem. I finally discovered it, quite by
accident. I was in the process of stripping out all my add-in hardware,
checking the M/B for proper voltage and/or shorts, and I plumb "forgot" to
plug-in the keyboard when I turned on the computer.

I have since tried this keyboard on over 100 computers. If the computer is
up and running when I plug the keyboard in, it (the keyboard) is detected,
and can be used without incident. But I can't reboot any of the 100 tested
computers with the keyboard in place.

So, this incident of mine shows you the extent of what you have to go
through to solve your problem.

I have to wonder how many computers have been scrapped for a "simple"
problem such as this! What if this were a laptop?

 

[Graham]

Good point - just shows how USB isn't the same as a dedicated interface the
operates at the BIOS level and doesn't rely on drivers/software.

 

[jurgenm]

Hi Crusty,
I am using an HP original keyboard, however, it came with
my PC (Pavilion XT 878)running Win ME when I bought it. ME
has been a great annoyance, not really an OS, so I
upgraded to XP Pro. I'll check into your recommendation.
Since I changed OS, there might be "attached" HW problems.
I have never thought of the keyboard, so far, the disk
controller, the HDD and the NIC were the only ones on my
suspect list. Thanks for your help.

Jürgen

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

Didn't mean to imply that your keyboard was the problem. It's certainly a 1
in 1,000,000 chance. I doubt if I will ever see that same problem again.

Just meant to say you have to dig deep and long. When push comes to shove,
regardless of all the information you receive in these excellent help
groups, you're ON YOUR OWN!

Hi Crusty,
I am using an HP original keyboard, however, it came with
my PC (Pavilion XT 878)running Win ME when I bought it. ME
has been a great annoyance, not really an OS, so I
upgraded to XP Pro. I'll check into your recommendation.
Since I changed OS, there might be "attached" HW problems.
I have never thought of the keyboard, so far, the disk
controller, the HDD and the NIC were the only ones on my
suspect list. Thanks for your help.

Jürgen

 

[jurgenm]

Rick,
my HP multimedia keyboard caused the problem. I have
plugged-in a simple keyboard, disabled the HP one - and
the prblems are gone. I can even boot faster (!!??),
thanks for your help.