NickGio

I'm sure you guys get this age old questions many times so I'll try and make it as clear as possible and show you all the steps I've taken so far.

I own a Dell which came with a 80G Hard Drive I recently purchased a 320G Hard Drive and am trying to use that as my only Hard Drive. So far I've:

1. Removed Old Hard Drive From The Computer
2. Put New One In Its Place
3. Connected All Correct Cables

When I boot it it says no Boot Device Available Press F1 to continue F2 for boot set up. So then I put the bootable disk into my DVD drive.

1. Changed Boot Set Up to

I CD-Rom
II Floppy
III SATA Hard drive

This did nothing still says No Boot Device Available so i went in and made removed every option but CD-Rom, and still nothing.

The Bootable CD is in the DVD Drive when I start the computer up and I've even switched it into the CD-Rom Drive. I'm at a loss for the issue with this computer and any aid would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Nick

NickGio

Any suggestions?

raptor_pa

Is this an original boot disk or a burned copy of a disk? Have you tried another bootable cd to check the drive?

NickGio

Well now I've been looking at Boot sequence at it says only CD-Rom Drive my CD-Rom Drive is not working but it has a DVD Drive the DVD Drive is not listed on the Boot Sequence could that be the issue?

NickGio

And no the PC I have has no Disks just Dell's PC Restore it doesn't require disks so therefore has no re installation disks with it but i have a Windows XP Disk to install on if needed I've tried that disk and no dice

simpswr

Are you installing XP or Vista? Many systems will only attempt the boot fron the Master Optical Drived ( CD or DVD )

Are you using the Dell Reindtallation Disc?

NickGio

I'm trying to reinstall XP the computer was originally XP i do have Dell Reinstallation disks for XP but whenever i try and get it to boot it will give me the same message over and over

NickGio

The Hard Drive's instructions state i should use the Data Lifeguard Tools disk which is included if the hard drive doesn't have Windows Installed

simpswr

Forget that . . lifeguard tools will cause more problem than they cure. The key is to get the system to boor from the install cd . . put which ever disc crive works in the Master position on the ribbon and see if you get the "Press any key to boot from CD" message.

I would also reset the BIOS to defaults . .

You can get a reinstallation guide specific to your Dell here
http://support.dell.com/support/topi...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn

This is a great guide for reinstalling on a Dell: http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm

simpswr

. . and, doublecheck the jumpers on the new drive . . make sure they are set the same as the old one ( Dells usually use Cable Select ) and that it is connected to the end ribbon cvonnector

NickGio

No dice put DVD drive as Master and CD-Rom as Slave blinks the lil _ under score for a lil and then gives me same old grand message

casper0191

What was the Hard drive is a S-ATA or an IDE?

simpswr

Your install disc is a CD ( unless it is a copy ) . . I would get a new cd drive and use it to install

Riskyone101

the setup has to be this:

cd drive as master drive, only can be a slave if it is slaved next to harddrive on the same ribbon otherwise the cd rom will not run the disc.

If the cd rom is not booting or seeing the cd then yes the cd rom is at fault here - replace it.

excellent advice here simpswr!

vinny95

I am also haveing the same problem with my Dell comp and same specs as yours...
Did you solve the problem if so could you please share it with me?

Riskyone101

We are waiting for the thread starters next post, so sit by and wait and we will see what is the solution or problem has ended up being vinny95.

NickGio

I don't know I haven't been able to solve the problem i just put my old Hard Drive in and set my new one as a secondary Hard Drive sorry dude

simpswr

What did the diagnostics report?