I need computer Help
Thread Starter
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,177
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I need computer Help
Dell Dimension 4100. No matter what I do, or what I have plugged in or not plugged in, I get a a error message saying invalid boot disk in A:/. This is getting rather annoying. I just replaced the whole motherboard, thinking it would solve the problem (since I was at my pushing point with this before) but obviously its something else. Maybe the processor? But it boots up fine and I can get into the Bios, just cant get past that A:/ screen error. Any thoughts or ideas I can try?
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,270
Likes: 465
From: Las Cruces, NM
Re: I need computer Help
Originally Posted by Twister97
Dell Dimension 4100. No matter what I do, or what I have plugged in or not plugged in, I get a a error message saying invalid boot disk in A:/. This is getting rather annoying. I just replaced the whole motherboard, thinking it would solve the problem (since I was at my pushing point with this before) but obviously its something else. Maybe the processor? But it boots up fine and I can get into the Bios, just cant get past that A:/ screen error. Any thoughts or ideas I can try?
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: St. Michael, MN
Ummm...have you tried swearing very loudly while kicking the **** outta it? 
I had a simular problem....I reformated and upgraded to XP and all the stupid error messages left for good. (knock on wood).. I'll never buy another Dell......
I had a simular problem....I reformated and upgraded to XP and all the stupid error messages left for good. (knock on wood).. I'll never buy another Dell......
Thread Starter
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,177
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Yes, floppy drive has been unplugged and plugged in and disabled. I just want to format the freakin HD, and I cant even get to that spot, even with a XP CD in there. Anything else? There has to be something im not getting. Maybe its my HD, but I tried about 3 of them in there :?
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,545
Likes: 1
From: Twin Falls, Idaho
NO it is not like I took a job offer for Dell upper level technical support today....or is it 
Anway on the 4100 as with the whole XPS/4100 Series the floppys were CRAP quality.
BUT if it does it when you disconnect the floppy AND change the boot order to CD-ROM then IDE....and all other devices disabled....well you have issues then.
CHANGE BOOT ORDER.
CHECK FLOPPY CABLE
Anway on the 4100 as with the whole XPS/4100 Series the floppys were CRAP quality.
BUT if it does it when you disconnect the floppy AND change the boot order to CD-ROM then IDE....and all other devices disabled....well you have issues then.
CHANGE BOOT ORDER.
CHECK FLOPPY CABLE
Thread Starter
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,177
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
So, it looks like there was a bad HD somewhere to begin with, I got around that using a scan and format utility I had on CD. The floppy did die, wont read disks, so I just shut off the Floppy controller on the motherboard. Are these computers able to handle two IDE harddrives on the same ribbon?
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,270
Likes: 465
From: Las Cruces, NM
Originally Posted by Twister97
So, it looks like there was a bad HD somewhere to begin with, I got around that using a scan and format utility I had on CD. The floppy did die, wont read disks, so I just shut off the Floppy controller on the motherboard. Are these computers able to handle two IDE harddrives on the same ribbon?
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,128
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC ________ SEBF 07 survivor
Check this link on boot disk errors. No problems on my Dim 8200 or Dim 4550.
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...error&x=12&y=8
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportf...error&x=12&y=8
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
loud95sse
Everything Electrical & Electronic
2
Oct 25, 2007 01:58 PM