ComputerBill's Computer Repair
Orange Park: (904) 276-4762---webgeek@computerbill.com
A computer which stops before the Windows blue screen can be associated with a message requesting that a bootable media be inserted. First, check that a non-bootable floppy disk was not accidentally left in the floppy disk drive. If one was not, try to start from a bootable a floppy disk, the type of which is called a startup disk by Windows. If the computer does not start from a bootable floppy disk, enter setup (sometimes you need to press the "delete" key or F2 or F10 for Compaq, or whatever key gives you access - usually indicated on the screen when your computer first starts up) and check to ensure that the setting for boot sequence includes your A (i.e., floppy) drive. If the computer still doesn't start try disconnecting your other drives and removing add-in cards, in-turn, to determine whether the failure is due to a particular piece of hardware. If the computer starts after removing a particular device or board, that component probably needs to be replaced. If the computer still does not start you will need to seek professional help.
If the computer starts from a floppy disk and leaves you at the A:\ prompt, type C:, press the Enter key, type dir and press the enter key again. You should see a directory (that was the "dir" command you just gave your machine). If you do, your hard drive is being recognized but may need to have the system files restored. The DOS sys command will sometimes resolve the problem but, if it does not, you may need to re-install Windows.
If the computer does not view your C: drive. Then, enter the setup menu (sometimes you need to press the "delete" key or F2 or F10 for Compaq, or whatever key gives you access - usually indicated on the screen when your computer first starts up) and see whether the computer has detected your hard disk drive. If not, try the Autodetect function to see whether the system is able to find your hard disk. If it does, replace the battery which retains the date, time, and, of particular importance right now, the type of hard disk which is installed in your computer. If the Autodetect function does not find your hard disk drive, ensure that the ribbon cable connecting the hard drive to the system board is seated securely. If all this fails and tour hard drive is three or more years old your hard drive has probably failed and needs to be replaced.
If your problem has not been covered please e-mail specific questions to me at webgeek@computerbill.com
ComputerBill's Computer Repair. All rights reserved. Last reviewed: 21 June 2001