Invalid boot disk, insert system disk

[grimesy69]

Hi all, i have searched the forums before posting this to see if i could find anything similar but to no avail.

My problem is as follows.

When i boot my machine without the Xp pro disc in the Cd-rom Drive i get the invalid boot disk error after post.

IF i leave the xp pro disc in the cd-rom drive, and do not boot from it, my system will then finish posting and boot as normal.

I have tried recovery console:

chkdsk /p
Fixmbr
Fixboot

In that order again...to no avail.

I also flashed my motherboard bios (asus m2n4-sli). To no avail.

I am thinking my HDD is not saving the MBR for some strange reason, and before i replace it, i would like to hear your views.

Thanks

 

[kimsland]

Couldn't this be a disc fault
Have you confirmed the disc works in another computer ?

Also
Check if the CD/DVD drive jumper is set to Master or Slave or Cable Select
I have seen issues before when Cable Select works and systems that Master works - very strange I know.
You may need to check Hard Drive as well

Also confirm the data cable for Hard Drive and CD/DVD is in the correct order.

 

[grimesy69]

The Disc works fine. I am a systems technician and use the disc at least 3 to 4 times a week.

The Jumper settings are definitely in the correct seating arrangements.

Nothing Hardware wise has changed in my rig for about 2 months.

Grimesy

 

[kimsland]

OK another option

It is possible the CD\DVD Drive has a fault, where reading discs in Windows works, but booting (reading first sectors) of the disc doesn't work.

I'd suspect you would have another CD\DVD Drive that you could mount and confirm

 

[grimesy69]

even with the cd drive disabled in any boot order. still the same.


Regards

 

[kimsland]

And post #4 ?
Another drive

 

[grimesy69]

i will try later on today, i will let you know the outcome. Thanks for your help.

 

[Eddy Rassy]

Have you tried resetting the BIOS to factory default. This may help.

 

[grimesy69]

No i have only tried flashing to the latest revision, i don't think there is any option to restore to factory default, however i will take a look.

Thanks

 

[Tmagic650]

Replace the hard drive

 

[Samstoned]

back up data
reformat drive
may have lost boot as system
did you have another drive removed before this started
when installing any new MS OS only have 1 drive in it that has no pre-formatted partitions