Preparing one time boot menu?

[beetlejuice]

Hi all --
I've got a Dell Inspiron 5150 that I picked up for cheap. My issue is that every single time I restart, the BIOS shows:
Preparing one time boot menu
Then it takes me to a list of boot devices (Internal HDD, CD/DVD, etc).

I've flashed the BIOS with the newest version, set it up with the proper boot order (starting with internal HDD) and it still gives me this message. Any thoughts?

Thanks so much!!

 

[kimsland]

Does the HardDrive have Windows on it?
Or for that matter anything that starts?

I think you may need to install Windows (or possibly Repair Windows if you have the Windows Boot CD)

Or is it just a laptop and that's it (probably actually)

 

[beetlejuice]

Yeah, I reinstalled the OS after formatting. I also tried Ubuntu (same problem as described above) so I went back to Windows.

I believe now that it may have to do with a Utility boot partition? Any ideas?

 

[kimsland]

I think you are best to put the Windows CD in, and install Windows clean
But this time remove the Partition (you will see this howto info on the Windows setup screens)
Note: On a non-partitioned HardDrive Windows will automaticall create the Patition and format the drive to NTFS (ie you just originally need to remove it)

 

[beetlejuice]

Sadly, I've done that already & it still didn't work (I removed all partitions and installed on the unpartitioned 40GB area).

 

[beetlejuice]

AH! You know what--->
I'm using a generic Dell restore disc that I had for my desktop (an older model)...maybe once I get hold of a newer restore disc I can be sure that pesky utility partition will be there. We'll see (the suspense is killing me).

 

[kimsland]

Me too