Boot up problem!

cresing · 11-05-2007, 07:15 PM

I am having problems with my computer. For some reason when I try to start it up it is asking me to select a bootable device like it isn't detecting my hard drive anymore. When I try to reinstall windows it says that I am unable to perform this. It is a 160gb sata hard drive and it shows that I have about 160gb free but won't let me do anything. Any ideas of what I can do? This just happened out of nowhere. Thanks for the help

Tumbleweed36 · 11-05-2007, 07:28 PM

Have you checked your hard drive priority in the bios setup menu??? Make sure the Sata (boot drive) is listed first in there.

cresing · 11-05-2007, 07:30 PM

I did check to make sure it was listed first. I did switch it to the cd drive to try an reinstall windows but I have since switched it back. Any other ideas or could it be that my hard drive it shot??

Tumbleweed36 · 11-05-2007, 07:39 PM

Remember, there is your boot order (cdrom - 1st, floppy second and hard drive 3rd) and the hard drive priority. The boot drive is always first in the hard drive priority.

Did you enable the Sata areas in the bios setup menu?

pilotbrian0 · 11-05-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cresing

I did check to make sure it was listed first. I did switch it to the cd drive to try an reinstall windows but I have since switched it back. Any other ideas or could it be that my hard drive it shot??

Your hard drive could be shot but it is also possible that your sata controller is bad or you have a bad cable. These are things to test as they are generally cheaper than replacing the hard drive (especially the cable).

The best thing to do would be to see if you have a friend with a sata controller in their computer and see if your drive will boot on their computer.

cresing · 11-05-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed36

Remember, there is your boot order (cdrom - 1st, floppy second and hard drive 3rd) and the hard drive priority. The boot drive is always first in the hard drive priority.

Did you enable the Sata areas in the bios setup menu?

What do you mean by hard drive priority? and how do I check to make sure it is correct?

Also, how do I enable the sata areas in the bios setup?

I really appreciate all of your help so far.

Tumbleweed36 · 11-06-2007, 04:18 AM

If you can get into the bios setup menu, then go to the boot area. Under there, should be something about Drive priority, hard drive priority (some boards are different), and go in there and make sure your Sata is first. There is also the boot order which should be set to:

CDRom
Floppy
Sata Drive (boot drive)

Don't forget to save before you exit.

In this menu also there should be an advanced area:

Someplace in there, it will talk about Sata....make sure all are enabled.

Post back if you do not understand....Save before you exit....

11-05-2007, 07:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
cresing Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 82 OS: windows xp pro	Boot up problem! I am having problems with my computer. For some reason when I try to start it up it is asking me to select a bootable device like it isn't detecting my hard drive anymore. When I try to reinstall windows it says that I am unable to perform this. It is a 160gb sata hard drive and it shows that I have about 160gb free but won't let me do anything. Any ideas of what I can do? This just happened out of nowhere. Thanks for the help

11-05-2007, 07:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,605 OS: XP Professional	Re: Boot up problem! Have you checked your hard drive priority in the bios setup menu??? Make sure the Sata (boot drive) is listed first in there. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-05-2007, 07:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
cresing Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 82 OS: windows xp pro	Re: Boot up problem! I did check to make sure it was listed first. I did switch it to the cd drive to try an reinstall windows but I have since switched it back. Any other ideas or could it be that my hard drive it shot??

11-05-2007, 07:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,605 OS: XP Professional	Re: Boot up problem! Remember, there is your boot order (cdrom - 1st, floppy second and hard drive 3rd) and the hard drive priority. The boot drive is always first in the hard drive priority. Did you enable the Sata areas in the bios setup menu? __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-06-2007, 04:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,605 OS: XP Professional	Re: Boot up problem! If you can get into the bios setup menu, then go to the boot area. Under there, should be something about Drive priority, hard drive priority (some boards are different), and go in there and make sure your Sata is first. There is also the boot order which should be set to: CDRom Floppy Sata Drive (boot drive) Don't forget to save before you exit. In this menu also there should be an advanced area: Someplace in there, it will talk about Sata....make sure all are enabled. Post back if you do not understand....Save before you exit.... __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.