[jspring111]

I built my new system and have a couple of issues to resolve.

(System specs are here: http://www.tweak3d.net/forums/viewto...add6e380c77d2b)

First problem:

On Power up it gives me the following error message:

"Reboot and Select proper Boot device
or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key"

If I press a key the floppy drive light comes on (it's empty) then the same message reappears.

The first time I press ctrl/alt/delete after seeing the message it does nothing. The second time, it boots fine off the HD to Windows XP.

I changed the boot order in BIOS to:

1st Boot Device: HDD
2nd & 3rd Boot Device: Disabled

No difference

Also when system is started the BIOS screen gives me the option to:
"Press F2 to run Setup
Press F11 for Boot Menu"

If I press F11 the first time I power it up (not restart) the boot menu lists only the floppy drive and the CD drive (remember they were disabled in BIOS). On restarts the floppy, CD and HD are on the boot menu.

So I'm guessing the error isn't coming from the BIOS (if thats possible). Pretty freaking wierd problem.

I downloaded the newest BIOS from AsRock, and the CPU, AGP, Audio, USB and LAN drivers and installed all of them to no effect. These were all the downloads I could find on the AsRock website.

My second problem is very slow boot to Windows XP (about three minutes after the the BIOS messages leave the screen). Booting to Safe mode takes about the same amount of time.

Can you help me?

Thanks, Jim

[Eps]

The only time I've seen behavior like that was on a friend's computer. He just ended up reformating the drive and the problems went away. What you may want to try is fixing the MBR on the drive as that could be the problem. Load up the XP disk and instead of installing windows drop to the recovery console. Type in "fixmbr /?" and then figure out what the best way to use it is. If that doesn't work all I can suggest is a full format. And when you do, have windows perform a non-quick format.

[ivwshane]

The only time I have seen an issue like this was because the bios was corrupted, Since you have reflashed it I don't think that is the issue.

Besides specifying the boot order did you specify what disks are primary and secondary (as in sata or ide1 ide2)?

[jspring111]

Originally Posted by ivwshane

The only time I have seen an issue like this was because the bios was corrupted, Since you have reflashed it I don't think that is the issue.

Besides specifying the boot order did you specify what disks are primary and secondary (as in sata or ide1 ide2)?

I went into the BIOS and looked at the IDE configuration and it didn't list the HD in the Primary IDE channel (or elsewhere). When I went into the next menu level and selected autodetect It found it and it started fine.

But, The next time I powered up the computer it went back the way it was and didn't list the hd.

Also, after showing the BIOS that there was indeed an HD, I exited and saved the BIOS and went into the boot selection menu and it listed the Floppy, CD and HD and, oddly enough, my USB printer.

Didn't know you could boot from a printer!

Jim

I haven't tried repairing the Master Boot Record. Since it doesn't even know it has an HD, I doubt that's the problem.

[Eps]

I know, you wouldn't think that it could be the problem. I was just as mystified. Repairing the MBR only takes like 5 minutes to do anyway so it is something to try. Otherwise I have no suggestions.