XP Home: Diskett drive 0 seek failure

[Mr. Low]

Hello,

Recently my PC have run into some problems.

When I switch on my PC from Hibernation or Restart mode, I could not get the
normal booting.

The following error message appears first before I strike the F1 key to
initiate the booting:

Phoenix ROM BIOS Plus Version 1.10 A12
www.dell.com
Diskette drive 0 seek failure
Performing Automatic IDE configuration
Primary Master: disk drive
Secondary Master: CD ROM drive
Time of day not set, please run set up program
Strike F1 to continue or F2 to run set up utility.

I have reinstalled my BIOS update and IDE controller. The problem was
resolved temporarily. However it recurred the next day. Earlier on, I have
even run Virus Scan, Window Defender Scan, Scan and fixed disk error at drive
C , disk defragmentation and disk clean up. It seems that this method is
ineffective in resolving the problem

May I know what might have caused this problem and how to fix it
professionally ?

Is there any preventive measure for this problem in the future ?

Many thanks

Low

 

[R. McCarty]

Your BIOS settings are set so that the computer is told it has a
Floppy Disk controller and BIOS is autoscanning for the presence
of a floppy disk drive. If the machine doesn't have a floppy then
set the Floppy type to None and the Floppy Drive controller to
Disabled. If the machine does have a floppy then you may have a
loose cable or power connector on the floppy drive.

 

[Mr. Low]

Hello,

My PC has a CD ROm drive.

I could use it freely to reinstall drivers recently.

Can i rule out the loose cable or power connector to the drive as the root
cause of this problem?

Thanks

Low

 

[R. McCarty]

Does your PC have a Floppy Disk drive ? Having a CD-ROM drive
doesn't factor into the issue you describe.

 

[Marc]

The following error message appears first before I strike the F1 key to
initiate the booting:

Phoenix ROM BIOS Plus Version 1.10 A12
www.dell.com
Diskette drive 0 seek failure
Performing Automatic IDE configuration
Primary Master: disk drive
Secondary Master: CD ROM drive
Time of day not set, please run set up program
Strike F1 to continue or F2 to run set up utility.

Take the cover off the computer, replace the CMOS battery, put the cover
back on, and start the computer. At the above F1/F2 screen, press F2 to run
the setup utility, set the Floppy Disk to No Disk and set the Time
correctly. After you reboot the computer twice that error should disappear
and the computer boot normally.

The CMOS battery is as big as a quarter and twice as thick, it should have
the number CR2032. Yours is bad so the computer starts using Bios Setup
defaults which enable Floppy Disk support, but you have no floppy disk
drive, correct? That battery also keeps time while the computer is off, when
the Battery dies so does it's ability to retain Time.


Marc

 

[Mr. Low]

Hello Marc,

I have replaced the CMOS Battery. The PC is now booting normally.

Many thanks for your help.

I also learned that CMOS Bettry is used to store the BIOS Settings and keep
time in the PC.

May I know if frequent switch on and off the PC during a day for power
saving could shorten the battery life ? i.e. bootings use up power from this
battery. My last battery was used for 4 year +.

Can the PC boot up with CMOS battery removed from the motherboard ?

I hope to learn more on this.

Thanks

Low

 

[Marc]

Hello Marc,

I have replaced the CMOS Battery. The PC is now booting normally.

Many thanks for your help.

You're welcome!

I also learned that CMOS Bettry is used to store the BIOS Settings and
keep
time in the PC.

May I know if frequent switch on and off the PC during a day for power
saving could shorten the battery life ? i.e. bootings use up power from
this
battery. My last battery was used for 4 year +.

The battery should last 3 to 5 years regardless.

Can the PC boot up with CMOS battery removed from the motherboard ?

Depends on the computer, most will boot without the battery, some will not.