[Old Fart Trying]

I recently purchased a 2nd hand computer thru a local ebay dealer - HP DX6120 ST 2.6 GHZ 80GB HDD 512MB RAM DESKTOP PC.

When i boot up, it displays: Invalid system disk Replace the disk, and then press any key

Then i reboot and press F8 & del and it doesnt go to bios settings, it just gives me a screen that gives me an option to "boot from..."

I select the hard drive.
Get the same response... "Invalid system disk Replace the disk, and then press any key"
Then I put in a windows XP pro Disk (the computer has an official XP Pro License Key on the case, as stated on the specs on selling page) and then rebooted.
I still get the "Invalid system disk Replace the disk, and then press any key"
I change the boot to CD and i get Windows Set Up options.
I pick install Windows XP and the it starts loading dll's etc.
Then it says i have no previous version of Windows idetected and wont let me go any further.

I assume that it is trying to upgrade, but i dont get an option to do a fresh install, just "Install Windows XP"

I am not sure if ;
there is a windows actually loaded,
I need to reformat,
The bios battery is flat
or if i need to do something completely diferent.

If i am to reformat, i cant remember the cmds/or how to do that when there is no windows to do it from.

I hoe you can help me.

Thanx,

Old Fart :4-dontkno

 

[manic]

Find the make of the hdd, go to makers website and download and run
the diagnostic utility.
If you want to wipe the drive do a google for killdisk, its free. Run it
this way you are assured of a clean drive.
The diganostic utility may also be able to write zeros to the drive, doing
the same thing. At this point dont take the short route out and format
with windows, leaves to much garbage behind. But after the drive is
wiped you will have to format with the wind disk and install the os.
Sounds like you have a bad drive, or a confused drive..
I dont think that board does raid, but you should double check in bios.
If raid is enabled disable it..

 

[mcorton]

You can also try cleaning the disc and trying again. A little dust can screw things up just like on a DVD.