So I've got someone's computer they asked me to look at (completely computer illiterate) and it's got this lovely error on startup "operating system not found"

That's all it does...there's no options to enter setup or anything. I'm guessing HD or motherbaord. It's a strange computer. It's Dell case but the boot screen is HP, and it has two HDs. I'm not sure what the person who built it for him did, lol.

I was just curious what you guys think is more likely. If it's not enough info, I don't have much else beyond it shows the HP logo and the goes to the error.

I'm gonna pull out the two HDs and see if I can access them on my computer. Just wanted to know if you guys had any thoughts or suggestions.

Well either its a HP board or someone flashed the bios with an HP rom.

as for operating system not found there are a number of reasons

There is no operating system (formated drive) = reinstall windows

Its trying to boot off the hard drive that doesn't have the MBR and stops there, Fix= try having one hard drive in at a time if the drives are IDE make sure the Jumper is on CS(Cable Select

Operating system is jacked up* = Fix Reinstall windows or try a repair installation http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-repa...ws-XP-t138.html

MBR is jacked up* http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_...s/wxprcons.html follw the 3,4,5 picture on the site then type FIXBOOT if its not availble than reinstall os. unless they set an admin password and you know it leave it blank

Cable is loose/bad =reseat cable/replace

IDE controller on MOBO is bad =new computer is in oreder Im guessing pentium 4 socket 478 = obsolete

Hard drive is bad.* = plug into other computer and test and run Chkdsk on it start>run>CMD> CHKDSK $: /r and yes to both $ = letter of drive

No boot order in BIOS

bad/loose ram

* = most likely

Test the hard drive first and run check disk on them bad sectors can do crazy stuff but the hard drive is allowed to have them. then try repair installation then install fresh OS

thats about all i can think of

Edited January 21, 200917 yr by capriceman

Thanks capriceman. So far I've done the following:

Tried with one drive, test each one at a time.

Checked the cable connections. all good

Next I plan to test each drive in my comp, see what happens.

That help?

simple 3, 4, 5 triangle did that kid not pay attention in class at all?

I think Satty's ranking should be "Smartass Extordinare"

I think Satty's ranking should be "Smartass Extordinare"

Yes, yes it should.

Yes, yes it should.

I've thought this for the longest time actually.

I 2nd that motion.

I 2nd that motion.

Dont you have the ability to change it?

I do actually, but I have to figure out how.

ooo I think I found it.

I'm going to have "Heinous ####" for a member title, aren't I?

I almost fell out my chair laughing! :rotflmao:

I hereby knight you "Smartass Extraordinaire"

w00t!

Everyone has forgotten what this thread was originally about, haven't they?

w00t!

Everyone has forgotten what this thread was originally about, haven't they?

My fault, sorry DF.

I haven't, but it has been pretty well hijacked.

On that note I want a witty title...but I have to come up with one. I hate coming up with titles/names.

Sir Penis McCockwang VIII

Don't forget the VIII.

This title is for me not your mom.

Actually thats my penis' new nickname. You can have his old nickname if you'd like. The Catburgler.

Stop! Stop! He's already deadddddd.

Well at least I got a few posts before this thread went down the $h!ter.

poop

Oh we are a crude bunch.

That help?

I showed this to my wife (math teacher) and she LOL'ed.

there's a program called.. ultimate windows boot disk or something like that you d/l the program, run it with an XP disc in your drive.. or copied x386 folder?... then it makes a bootable disc that has scan disk and lots of other windows tools you can use.. it might have saved my pc once when a file crashed my bootup on my pc....

THIS IS SSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSS

thats not sata sorry its SAS

Anyway while your doing that i go board and decided to thrwo the quad under the buss so close to 4.0

http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=489220

wheres my water cooling loop.......

Im need to pus it in to 1.5 volts which warranty is void after 1.45