I just assembled a computer with the following components:
Abit Kt7 Motherboard
AMD Thunderbird 1 Ghz Processor
IBM Deskstar GXP 45 GB HDD
Toshiba DVD/CD ROM
Soundblaster Live Value Sound Card
Gainward GE Force 2 MX

When using the floppy startup disk to install Windows, I get the message "Disk boot error enter system disk and press enter". I am confident all cables are in the correct place and all drives are recognized in the BIOS
settings. The peculiar thing that occurs when the a drive is being run upon startup is that it doesn't seem to read the a drive like it should. The light on the a drive turns green for a moment, but there is no "clicking" noise like you would typically hear. The drive was pulled from a working system and everything else is brand new also. I just wish I knew if this was a hardware or software problem. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I just had a long and extensive post on Boot Problems.......scroll down and you can read the info given to me for exactly the same problem.I however still havent corrected this problem and actually took the HD out of that comp,loaded WIN2K on it and will try and work it that way.It seems to me if there is a overlooked and non-upgraded part of a comp that is SO important to booting,something would be figured out on how to resolve this common error.I too have a new A-Drive and cable..but too no avail...the factory defaults on any newer M-Board are set at just about everything you need to boot up correctly.Perhaps some of the Big Boys in this forum could give you some technical assistance. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

When using the floppy startup disk to install Windows, I get the message "Disk boot error enter system disk and press enter". I am confident all cables are in the correct place and all drives are recognized in the BIOS
settings. The peculiar thing that occurs when the a drive is being run upon startup is that it doesn't seem to read the a drive like it should. The light on the a drive turns green for a moment, but there is no "clicking" noise like you would typically hear.
The drive was pulled from a working system and everything else is brand new also. I just wish I knew if this was a hardware or software problem. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

* check bios to see that A drive is in the boot (or startup) sequence ahead of C drive

* check A drive at *end* of ribbon cable past were part of ribbon twists

* If light comes on -- then bios finds drive ?? -- are there any "beeping" tones, or error messages on boot screen?

* If no noises from A -- then bios *not* trying to boot from A ?? -- trying to boot from C first -- but on O/S on C -- so error message.

Check the boot sequence in BIOS.

Also check the disk to see if it will actually boot. Try it ob a working computer and see if it boots.

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mjc

That has happened to me as well.......what I do is create a new Win98 startup disk on another machine and a new disk (duh) and try it. If that doesnt work, go into bios and set everything to "Default" or "Fail Safe" settings and try again. If cables are on correctly to Drive A and you still cant boot to A, your MB Floppy Drive Controller may be defective (even on a new board).

It's probably the Boot up sequence in Bios, make sure it starts by A: then the others.
if it still doesn't work u should check ur cables again. As long as u're having a light that means the electrical cable is ok. Check hte data cable, and make sure it's plugged in the right direction (take the cable out from the floppy drive, turn it to the other side and re-plug it.
If it still doesn't work make sure the pins of the floppy drive haven't been damaged recently, try using it again on another system to see if it'll still work.

If the floppy LED comes on and does not stay on the cable is not backward. Check the cable though, it could be one pin off on either controller or drive. Use a small flashlight, it's sometimes dark and dirty in there...



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I have a confirmed working startup disk for windows that I
have tested on my working pc. I've also confirmed my BIOS
settings are set to boot in the proper order(floppy, CD, HDD).
The only beeps that are heard is the initial beep you hear
when you start the bootup process. With this disk, the light
for the floppy drive appears to engage for approx 10 seconds
now, but still no "clicking" noise you'd normally hear. I
even tried fail safe settings as well.

Only thing I can think it would be now is a defective
motherboard.

Thank you for your suggestions. I just want to make sure I
cover all the bases before I return the motherboard for a
replacement and then find out it's in perfect working order
since something was done wrong on my behalf.

Umm I'd be surprised if the motherboard'd be defective.Am not an electrical/electronic expert but i don't think an electronically damaged part on the motherboard will still allow it to function, Check the pins of the IDE slots, try to use another floppy drive if both don't work it must be the board, which is a case that never happened to me or any1 i know. Good luck

Bingo on trying another floppy drive before blaming the mobo.