I have the "mandate" from one of my friend to try to recover her computer from a "operating system not found" problem at boot time. The computer is a notebook, Compaq Presario 1200 xl 115, AMD K6 333 (I think), 5 GB HD, 64 MB ram with Windows 98 installed.

The problem occurs since she has pressed the Esc key at a time where the computer was "wakening up" from hybernation mode. The problem seems major and could be describe this way: when the power is turned on, strange noises are coming from the HD location right after the bios initialisation phase, then, after 1 or 2 minutes, a message "operating system not found" appears.

First, I thought that reentering HD parameters in bios could solved the problem. That's what I tried. I have been able to make the bios auto-detect the HD but it didn't help to boot the system. Also, each time the computer is powered off, the bios lost track of HD parameters.

I have been able to boot the computer with a DOS and a Linux boot floppy and with a Linux Redhat installation CD-ROM. I have tried different utilies (Fdisk, DiskDruid, Ranis partition manager, etc) but none of them could access or even recognize the HD structure. The most "informative" message I have received was about a possible corrupted partition table (I don't remember the exact words). At last, I have tried the "Compaq emergency disk" that is supposed to restore the computer to its initial state, by recreating the initials partitions and reinstalling the system as it was in manufacture. This step has also failed with a "contact technical support" message .

Having read the troubleshooting section, I feel that it is a serious harware problem: the HD is probably broken. But I still have a doubt about a possible "partition table" or other similar problem. Someone has a clue or a suggestion on a "cure" or some other tests I could try?

Thanks for your help

Insert the Windows boot floppy, select 'Start Without CD-ROM Support' from the menu, press Enter, type sys c: at the A:\> prompt, press Enter, remove boot disk after it says 'System Files Have Been Transferred', restart.

If that does not work, restart with the boot disk still inserted, select the same above menu item, type c: at the A:\> prompt, type fdisk /mbr at the C:\> prompt (note the space between fdisk and the /).

If neither works, then the hard drive has failed.

You say "strange noises from the hard drive"...please describe those noises...if they are clicking or grinding noises, then the drive is quite probably toast........

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Originally posted by ski:
Insert the Windows boot floppy, select 'Start Without CD-ROM Support' from the menu, press Enter, type sys c: at the A:\> prompt, press Enter, remove boot disk after it says 'System Files Have Been Transferred', restart.

If that does not work, restart with the boot disk still inserted, select the same above menu item, type c: at the A:\> prompt, type fdisk /mbr at the C:\> prompt (note the space between fdisk and the /).

If neither works, then the hard drive has failed.

Thanks for your reply.

I have tried both aspects of your suggestion but it didn't work.

I guess the drive is broken. If you or someone else has an other suggestion, please let me know.

Thanks again for your help.

Marco

Originally posted by mjc:
You say "strange noises from the hard drive"...please describe those noises...if they are clicking or grinding noises, then the drive is quite probably toast........



It sounds more like cliking noise... Not a good sign!

Thanks for your help.

ARGH, time to go shopping! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

Loud, unusual or more frequent noises coming from a drive are not good signs...try grabbing the drive utilities from the drive manufacturer, they contain diagnostic routines, that should help figure it out.

Also to post a reply, scroll down to the bottom to where it says post reply, don't use the "reply with quote option" unless you need to quote a specific item for clarification or something, it tends to make long replies....

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.