windows XP start up

[George]

When I turn on my computer it says:drive not ready,system
halted.The only way it will start is if I open the d
drive and close it while it's trying to start up.Then
sometimes it starts.Any ideas?

 

[Dragonteeth]

When I turn on my computer it says:drive not ready,system
halted.The only way it will start is if I open the d
drive and close it while it's trying to start up.Then
sometimes it starts.Any ideas?

It sounds as if somehow your CMOS settings are checking for boot from your
CD-ROM only, and not moving beyond it.... unless you occupy it by opening
the drive... then it rolls down to your HDD.

Consider editing your CMOS settings so that your Boot Device is your Hard
Drive (rather than your CD-ROM)
Check your motherboard manual for how to get to CMOS.

That behavior is not what I would call normal, by the way. It is supposed
to try one device, then move to another....
Maybe your CMOS settings will shed some light on why it's not cascading
properly.