32 replies to this topic

[Doug]

Short of "buying" a new Operating System........ Let's consider what resources you may have existing on those other two Hard Drives. You mentioned that your computer savvy friend was able to save/backup your Data. Did he happen to leave a legitimate Operating System on either one of those Hard Drives? It would require you to open the tower case and substitute each/either of the hard disk drives. But it could prove to be the way out of this dilemna if either has an Operating System, even if it is virus riddled. If you can boot into windows, you can begin cleaning it up with the resources I posted earlier, and then download and run HighJackThis in order to get expert help in the HJT forum for assurance that you've got a clean operating system. Worth a shot, in my opinion. Best Regards, Doug

[Doug]

Hey CoffeBean, This might fix it up. In the BIOS, there are "Boot Order" selections. Ordinarily, (in older machines anyway) "Removable Devices" (Floppy) is the "First Boot Device" (first place the machine looks for instructions). Then Second Boot Device is Hard Drive. Then Third Boot Device is ATAPI CD-ROM Drive. Then Fourth Boot Device is "Network Boot". I wonder if your BIOS is set for - First Boot Device - Network Boot hmmmm ?? I wonder even more, what would happen if your changed the Boot order so that First Boot Device was Hard Drive. hmmmm ?? Worried about fooling around in the BIOS/CMOS? OK, seriously, you need to be careful not to change much of anything, but any changes in the BIOS/CMOS can simply be changed back to the original settings according to your preference and what works. It's a good idea to only change (1) one item in the BIOS at a time, then Save Settings and Exit. Then allow the machine to boot as usual to check out the results. It's also a good idea to WRITE down any BIOS changes you make onto Paper, so that when you go back in to reverse a change, or if you start making multiple changes, you can keep track of the exact settings. So....... How to change settings in BIOS. When you first power up your machine, it displays your CHIPSET Driver version, CPU type/size USB connection types Then it may display your RAM size Then it finds Keyboard Drives Mouse (all of the above before attempting to load Windows) Down at the Bottom (usually left-bottom) will be a notation of how to Enter Setup or Enter BIOS or Access CMOS It will probably tell you to Press - Del (the Delete key) or Press - Esc (the Escape key) or Press - F12 (the F12 key) Doing the above will cause your machine to Enter Setup, where you can view and change settings in your BIOS. The BIOS is different in various machines, but there are basic similarities across machines. at the top will likely be: Main --- Advanced --- Security --- Power --- Power --- Boot --- Exit you can use your Left and Right Arrow keys to navigate across those options. GoTo: Boot The display will now be showing you your Boot-Time Diagnostic Screen settings and your Boot Order Use your Up and Down Arrow keys to navigate through the Boot Order list. (Here's what mine looks like:) First Boot Device ------ [Removable Devices] Second Boot Device ----- [Hard Drive] Third Boot Device ----- ATAPI CD-ROM Drive] Fourth Boot Device ----- [Network Boot] Use your =/- keys to move any d3evice up or down in the list. I'd like you to tell us what the current settings are before you make any changes. However, if you feel adventuresome, you can go ahead and change the Boot Order so that it resembles Mine above... Unless you don't have a Floppy Disk Drive. If you don't, then allow [Removeable Devices] to be the last (Fourth Boot Device] What we want, is: First - Floppy, Second - Hard Drive, Third, CD-ROM, Fourth - Network Boot use the arrow keys to make the changes. Next Pres Esc key to Exit the Boot Screen Then use the Right and Left arrow keys to navigate to EXIT SELECT "Exit Saving Changes" A "worry screen" will pop up asking you to confirm "Yes" or "No" that you want to "Exit Saving Changes" (Remember to write down your changes) Select Yes to confirm and Exit Hopefully, this will allow your machine to access the Windows operating system on your Hard Drive and continue to load Windows NT just like you have had it before. Please post back with your Results. Best Regards

[coffeebean469]

Good morning! I might have misunderstood what my computer said. It's a "Windows 2000 Professional, built on NT technology." Is that the same as Windows NT? Also, not sure if this helps or matters, but I have the product key from the case of the Dell machine. Also, I think Frank and the laptop have the same system software, but I'm not positive.

[Doug]

Good Morning CoffeeBean, OK. You have Windows 2000 Pro. That's Good! The Dell Product Key (service Tag) will give you access to downloading various drivers that were original equipment to the original Dell as it was before you had any hardware changes made. Adding RAM or a new Hard Drive will not change/affect the native drivers..... So this is a good thing, but may not help you if you have a different sound card/video card/modem/. Can we presume that the MotherBoard and CPU are the original Dell? Please complete the instructions regarding BIOS, from my previous post. Best Regards

[coffeebean469]

Micah, the other sites I visited included these:

http://www.annoyance...000/t1129791552 (This is pretty close to my experience.)

http://www.le.ac.uk/...t-trouble.shtml

http://www.computing...orum/21991.html

http://www.anetforum...readIndex=33589

http://www.experts-e...Q_21580606.html

[coffeebean469]

Hi, Doug! I forgot how to get into IOS. I've done it before, but I can't remember which key it is. F2?

[Doug]

Re-Read my posted instructions above.

Since this is "probably" a Dell motherboard, the key to press to access SetUp/BIOS is "most likely" the Delete/Del key.

Best Regards

EDIT:

Down at the Bottom (usually left-bottom) will be a notation of how to
Enter Setup
or
Enter BIOS
or
Access CMOS

It will probably tell you to
Press - Del (the Delete key)
or
Press - Esc (the Escape key)
or
Press - F12 (the F12 key)

Doing the above will cause your machine to Enter Setup, where you can view and change settings in your BIOS.

Edited by dough, 05 July 2006 - 09:21 AM.

[coffeebean469]

1st Floppy 2nd ARMD-FDD 3rd--IDE-HDD 4th--ATAPI CDROM 5th--disabled Other stuff: Quiet Boot: Enabled Quick Boot: Disabled Restore on AC/Power Loss: Last State On LAN: Power on On PME: Saty off

[Doug]

Using your "arrow keys" navigate to (3rd--IDE-HDD) next Using your "+/-" keys" press + to bump (IDE-HDD) up to the 2nd Boot Position next Exit Saving Changes EDIT: Actually, use the + key to bump your ATAPI CD-ROM up into the 3rd position while you are there. This will make your 2nd ARMD-FDD bump down to fourth position. I believe that 2nd ARMD-FDD refers to a device that you probably no longer have on the machine. It's called a LS-120 Super Floppy. You'd know if you had one. Doug

Edited by dough, 05 July 2006 - 09:49 AM.

[coffeebean469]

I've been playing with this, WITHOUT saving changes. What should the other boot devices be? 1st: Floppy 2nd: IDE-HDD 3rd: ???? 4th: ???? 5th: ???

[Doug]

1st: Floppy 2nd: IDE-HDD 3rd: ???? ---->ATAPI CDROM 4th: ????----->ARMD-FDD 5th: ??? ------>(leave it disabled or report back what options you may have for this device) In the 5th place, there probably just isn't a device installed there, therefore "disabled", but let us know what the options are. just for curiosity sake.

[coffeebean469]

It's being difficult!!!! When I + on IDE-HDD, the others go away. I have to escape and start the machine again.

[Doug]

On your SetUp page where you are viewing the Boot Ordered devices... Look down at the bottom of the screen. you should see some instructions for navigating and selecting settings. It may not be the +/- key to change the order. Perhaps you'll see some instructions for making adjustments. Best Regards

[coffeebean469]

Got it. The only option left for the 5th device, other than disabled, is ARMD-HDD.

[Doug]

Please leave 5th position as "disabled" I'm dying to hear from you after you "Save Changes and Exit" Hoping it's the good news of Windows completing its boot. Best Regards