boot failure and hdd light stays on..

Binkstir · 07-10-2008, 05:46 AM

I just built a new computer and when I turn it on I get an erros saying
"disk boot failure. insert system disk and press enter" and the hdd light stays on constantly and I can't hear the hdd start up.
I have tried:
A different hard drive, a different ide cable and a different molex connector...none of which makes a difference. I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks in advance.

voyagerfan99 · 07-10-2008, 06:40 AM

Is the HDD blank or does it have an OS install on it already? If it does have an OS on it already, then you need to reformat and reinstall the OS.

Vizy · 07-10-2008, 07:01 AM

Is the hdd an external? IDK that internall hdd had lights. Whenever that happened to me i just either:
a) tried a different molex connector from the psu
b) replugged in the power plug
c) check my jumpers.

You should do that too. Especially the jumpers. Also, beofre you get into the 'booting up' portion of your computer, i would suggest you check your bios to make sure that the disk is actually being registered by the mobo.

**mep916** · 07-10-2008, 08:00 AM

In the BIOS, be sure you have the correct hard drive set to boot first.

Binkstir · 07-10-2008, 02:53 PM

I cant get to the part where I'd install an operating system.
It's an internal hard drive
If I go into the bios I cant see it. I've tried a different hard drive and same thing.
I can't hear the hard drive spin up.

StrangleHold · 07-10-2008, 04:00 PM

Sounds like its just trying to boot to your empty harddrive. You need to boot to your DVD/CD rom with your XP cd in to start the install. At the(bottom) of the bios screen when it first boots it should have press a certain key for boot order.

**Cromewell** · 07-10-2008, 07:49 PM

Just to expand on what StrangleHold and voyagerfan said, it sounds like you have not installed an operating system on your drive (all new drives come blank

) You need to install one or you get that error message.

Binkstir · 07-11-2008, 12:45 AM

Thanks for all the replies.... You guys were right but here is where I was getting stuck.....The brand new dvd rom was bad, so I couldn't load anything. I hooked up another cd rom and was good to go.

07-10-2008, 05:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Binkstir Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 34	boot failure and hdd light stays on.. I just built a new computer and when I turn it on I get an erros saying "disk boot failure. insert system disk and press enter" and the hdd light stays on constantly and I can't hear the hdd start up. I have tried: A different hard drive, a different ide cable and a different molex connector...none of which makes a difference. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

07-10-2008, 06:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
voyagerfan99 Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut/New Jersey, USA Age: 18 Posts: 3,718	Is the HDD blank or does it have an OS install on it already? If it does have an OS on it already, then you need to reformat and reinstall the OS. __________________ Mach Speed MSNV-939 nForce Socket 939 AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (OC'd to 2.20 Ghz) Power Up Black ATX Mid-T Case w/700W & Clear Side 4 GB DDR PC3200 RAM/Logitech MX Revolution Mouse 690 GB Storage (320S-ATA, 120-ATA, 250-SATA) Asus HD4870DK 1GB 22" Viewsonic LCD w/ iPod Dock + 22" ASUS Logitech G15 Keyboard/G51 Seakers Computer Pics

07-10-2008, 04:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
StrangleHold VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11,188	Sounds like its just trying to boot to your empty harddrive. You need to boot to your DVD/CD rom with your XP cd in to start the install. At the(bottom) of the bios screen when it first boots it should have press a certain key for boot order. __________________ NZXT Apollo S75QB 750W ZEROtherm FZ120 Phenom II 720BE (X4) 3.5GHZ. Gigabyte GA MA790X UD4P G Skill DDR2 1066 4GB. MSI GTS 250 Seagate 7200.12 500GB. Welcome to the show

07-10-2008, 07:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cromewell Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 26 Posts: 11,804	Just to expand on what StrangleHold and voyagerfan said, it sounds like you have not installed an operating system on your drive (all new drives come blank ) You need to install one or you get that error message. __________________ You know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I go get and beat you with 'til ya understand who's in command here. www.userfriendly.org

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07-10-2008, 07:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
Vizy banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,896	Is the hdd an external? IDK that internall hdd had lights. Whenever that happened to me i just either: a) tried a different molex connector from the psu b) replugged in the power plug c) check my jumpers. You should do that too. Especially the jumpers. Also, beofre you get into the 'booting up' portion of your computer, i would suggest you check your bios to make sure that the disk is actually being registered by the mobo.

07-10-2008, 02:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Binkstir Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 34	I cant get to the part where I'd install an operating system. It's an internal hard drive If I go into the bios I cant see it. I've tried a different hard drive and same thing. I can't hear the hard drive spin up.

07-11-2008, 12:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
Binkstir Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 34	Thanks for all the replies.... You guys were right but here is where I was getting stuck.....The brand new dvd rom was bad, so I couldn't load anything. I hooked up another cd rom and was good to go.

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