HELP! My other computer is not booting up. floppy B: drive error...I don't have a B: drive. I can't even get into the BIOS to disable it. Can anyone help me?

Are you *sure* you can't get into the BIOS? Sometimes, even on slow 486 machines, the opportunity passes quickly...

Do you know the way to get to the BIOS? The DEL key is common. As the machine boots, keep tapping the DEL key every second.

Sorry I can't help more, but it really sounds like a BIOS misconfiguration.

Maybe if you post more info about your machine others can help.

It's a 466 celeron from gateway. I have tried many times hitting the del and f1 to get into the bios...but no luck. It's for sure in the config in the bios. I got the puter for free from a friend that couldn't get it to work so i said i will take it and try to fix it. He must of been messing around in the bios and screwed things up. I've tried many times to get into the settings for the bios with no luck. If you need further info PLEASE let me know. I would really like to get this fixed, Thanks

Hey,

Not 100% sure about this idea, but is there a jumper on the motherboard that would enable you to clear the cmos? Maybe that would help. Do you have the manual for the motherboard? If not, can you find the maker of the mobo and go to their site for possible solutions? I think that is where I would start.

Other people may have an idea or three, so be patient and let them find your post. As stated, I'm not sure if clearing the cmos would help or hinder.

Additionally, I'm not sure if Gateway is proprietary. If they are, the bios may be on the first few sectors of the HHD, in which case you will need a restore disk from them.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

Shot in the dark here...

Open the case and see if the floppy drive is connected to the end of the cable, or the middle connector. If it's on the middle connector, move it to the end one. Floppy drives are given drive letters according to cable position usually, this might have something to do with it.

Gateway Tech Support (http://www.gateway.com/support/manlib/profile/profile1%5F5/8504612/4612bios.htm) says use [F2] to get into BIOS. I'm not sure if this is a universal method with Gateway, but it probably is.

------------------
My hairdresser charges me a finder's fee!!

Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

Thanks everyone for trying to help....but still nothing. I tried the F2 key and the same thing happens. The connectors are all connected nice and tight and in the proper plugs. I can't see anywhere on the motherboard what brand it is. I did find one jumper only...but not sure what it's for yet. I really don't want to take this in to have it fixed. I know if I wait I will get it figured out here from you people. I wrote down what it says when I boot it. ( B: Drive Error Press F1 to resume ) so I did what it said but then it says ( Drive not ready Insert Boot diskette in A: ) I don't have a manual for the motherboard eigther. Befor ALL that I've tried as soon as it starts up many times hitting the DEL, F1, and F2 keys and it just brings me back to Drive not ready insert boot diskette in A: Also at the top of that it gives the AMIBIOS SYSTEM CONFIGURATION and it says there is a A: Floppy and B: Floppy Drives. I'm so confused with this. Thanks again and I will try anything from you help, http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

I agree with the CMOS config error. I have had to unplug the battery when I couldn't find the "clear CMOS" jumper. remove battery for 15-20 minutes, then it should say "Invalid CMOS setup" or something like that, and prompt you to enter setup. run HDD autodetect and leave others at default to start.
and, make sure you touch the case first! stay grounded!!!

Okay, I have tried to reset the CMOS with the jumpers JP1,2,and 3. I turned off the system... set jumper to pins 2 and 3...waited a few seconds, then returned jumper to pins 1 and 2...turned the power on and the same thing still happens. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

You need to have a look at the motherboard manual, maybe it will have something about getting into CMOS. Boot to the forst screen, and press [Pause] during the memory count. AT the bottom left, sometimes top left, you'll find a long number, about 20 characters. The [Pause] key will hold the screen long enough to write it down, any other key will resume booting. (I use the spacebar so I don't get tempted to use [Enter] and make a mistake by trying to run something...)

Then go to my site posted below, look for Trish's Escape from Hardware Hell, the top link, and in the Motherboard/BIOS section you'll find links to sites where you can identify the motherboard and possibly download a manual. Check the manual for instructions on both entering CMOS and clearing it.

ALso consider the possibility of a virus, and try booting to an emergency disk, which might accidentally work, even though you're gettig floppy errors...

------------------
My hairdresser charges me a finder's fee!!

Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

Here's the #'s I got from the first boot (4F4JZOXB.15A.0006.P04.9903221349)
they were the ONLY #'s on the screen. I looked at the site to ID it and couldn't find it anywhere. I'm going to try and get a hold of Gateway and see what they have to say about setting the CMOS and what MOBO I have. If anyone can tell me what these #'s are and ID it ...Please let me know

Okay, the MotherBoard is a "Intel Freeman Integrated 440ZX. The BIOS is 4F4JZ0XB.....whatever that means. GateWay doesn't seem to help much too. I read somewhere that I could use a BIOS recovery diskette but don't have one.

[This message has been edited by SecretFace (edited 01-02-2001).]

I used to have an old baby-pentium processor Gateway system. F6 was used to enter the BIOS on that machine. Gateways are a bit quirky. I'd just check up and down the function keys at startup. You are bound to run into something. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif)