Disk Boot Failure

[O]

Insert Systen Disk And Press Enter

This is the message I am getting on my desktop.
F8 does nothing as far as getting into setup or the Bios.
I down loaded a recovery file and burnt it to CD but nothing.
Running Vista 32bit.
Any ideas or places to download a system disc?

 

[O]

I was able to find my installation disc.
All repair options did not work.
I was able to get into the command prompt amd all the Bootrec.exe options did not work. C:\ is not even recognized as a drive.
I guess it's safe to assume my hard drive is toast?

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Some random ideas:

Disconnect and usb flashdrives or external devices using usb ports and reboot.

Go to the bios and reset it to defaults (or optimized). Pull the battery for a few minutes.

Boot to cd and get to the cmd prompt and run a chkdsk /r.

Boot to cd and get to the cmd prompt and try fixboot or fixmbr.

Pull the drive and connect it to your laptop (if you have the means) and run a diagnostic test on the drive.

 

[O]

Disconnect and usb flashdrives or external devices using usb ports and reboot.

Tried that it makes no difference.

Go to the bios and reset it to defaults (or optimized). Pull the battery for a few minutes.

I can't get into the bios, F8 will not work. I'll try the battery tomorrow.

Boot to cd and get to the cmd prompt and run a chkdsk /r.

chkdsk will work, chkdsk /r will not

Boot to cd and get to the cmd prompt and try fixboot or fixmbr.

Tried all of them, bootrec.exe /fixmbr, etc and they come back with path errors. When I do, bootrec.exe /scanos, I get "total identified windows installations: 0

Pull the drive and connect it to your laptop (if you have the means) and run a diagnostic test on the drive.

I'll have to figure out how to do that.
__________________

 

[O]

So after all I put myself through the past few days with this I found the simple solution.
I cracked open the case today and discovered the connection to the hard drive had come loose....
I know better than not check the simple things first too.
Boy do I feel stupid....... yet relieved.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

 

[Covert Rain]

Unless you built the rig yourself I would say the connection was probably never secured correctly when the PC was built. You do get some unseating due to heat expansion but nothing that would disconnect the cable like you described.