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When I try to boot my computer, it goes through the normal motions until it tries to start Windows. The load bar stays up for a few minutes and then goes back a few steps, tries again, but the second time around it fails to do anything and leaves me with the message "Disk Boot Failure, Insert System Disk and Press Enter".

I haven't been able to try that yet because the disk is across the state at my parents house, I will be retrieving it this weekend.

When it goes through the second attempt at booting it displays a red blinking error message concerning the RAID, when at first it says it is healthy, it now says 'ERROR'.

This all started after I downloaded a new driver update for my nividia graphics card. Before, I have been having some trouble with it in escalating degrees. First, little error message pop ups saying the raid wasn't able to read, but I'd go into the setup and it would say both hard drives were healthy, so I figured it was just a communication error. Later on, it started to lock up, would freeze momentarily and then start to work moments later. Also, every once and a while the monitor would stop working with it, I'd be working on it and the next thing I know it is down, as if I had unplugged the monitor from the computer (the monitor doesn't turn off, just the computers connection to it does).

Here are some system stats to help people help me:
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.5Ghz
- GC:: GeForce 9800 GX2
- MB: Nvidia nForce 780 Motherboard
- HD: Seagate Barracude 500gb (2 set up in Raid0)
- OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit

Any suggestions as to how this could be fixed would be greatly appreciated.

Start by reconnecting the HardDrive or cables
Then go from there

It is possible the HardDrive has actually failed too

By the way,
Is not a Windows error
This is an error being reported by your Motherboard's Bios

If the Hard drive has failed does that mean I have to scrap it and buy new ones?

Yes

But lets really confirm it has failed first
Up to you

Of course, I would like to salvage this if at all possible.

I understand

We are now waiting on you to check the connections and so forth
By the way, you should really read the manual on AntiStatic and Power precautions (this is not a lame general comment either)

Your Manual is freely available by going to your computer's manufacture's support web page, locating your computer, and then downloading the manual.

Also if you do still require support, please give as much Computer System Info as possible (or known possible)

ie Desktop? Laptop ?
Manufacture (ie HP; Dell; Acer.....) and model number
Windows version (when it was working! )

All that type of helpful info

I already know all about the static shock thing. It doesn't have a manufacturer because I built it with help from a friend, and it's a desktop.

I checked the cables and everything seems to be in place and connected as it should be.

You have suddenly become much wiser (sorry joking there, pls disregard)

Anyway have a look here: Tutorial: No POST (Power On System Test)

Ok, but I can turn it on... I just can't start Windows, isn't that what that test is for or am I missing something?

It's just that it had some info on releasing stored voltage
And also info on removing dust and checking connections

But yes it does sound like just a HardDrive fault

Have you got another computer that you can plug it into (as a secondary drive)
Or even an external USB HardDrive case or something

Just to be doubly sure, it is the HardDrive, and not the Motherboard connection (Sata or IDE unknown)

If the machine boots and gets as far as the progress bar then maybe you could try booting into safe mode and uninstall the Nvidia drivers as well as the NVraid drivers. I have had problems with Nvidia Drivers and had boot failure. (worth a try)

I'll post back later tonight or tomorrow (depending on when my room mate gets back) as he has an external hard drive I can use.

Refer to post#2 The message is not in Windows

Normal POST motions (ie checking Ram etc etc)
It never gets to starting Windows

Also, I can't boot in any mode.

Ok, update. I tried using my room mates external hard drive and it gets to the screen asking what mode I want to boot it in. I tried every mode and everytime it tries to load it (doesn't get as far as my hard drives, mine gets to window load menu). It then restarts the computer and tries to do it all over again... skips the error messages though.

Well your "mate's" HardDrive is acting normally, ie wrong chipset, so it'll just restart (if it has an installed Windows version on it - obviously yes)

But... you said yours gets further

So it must be finding your HardDrive, but then your Motherboard says "Disk Boot Failure, Insert System Disk and Press Enter".

Hmm. That doesn't add up. It wouldn't give that message if it had started loading Windows. Unless it had a faulty connection

ie Internal HardDrive Power Cable; Data Cable; or even HardDrive faulty; or Motherboard connection faulty.

To eliminate your HardDrive, try your HardDrive in another computer (ie other way around)

And please confirm when you see that message, and what it says again

Should I go back through and check the connections again? Perhaps I didn't check them thoroughly enough? I'm always a bit iffy when messing with the hardware... I'm always afraid I'm going to accidentally shock it.

Power out
Touch the case
Then don't move your feet again

Unplug the data and power cables to HDD, then re-insert securely

Note: the plugs only go one way around

MY appologies Kimsland! OK if its a bios message to insert system disk then JonVace should check his Bios Setup. If NVRAID is enabled and he does not have a raid setup then the boot will fail with that message.

Try entering bios setup > onboard devices setup> NVRAID and disable NVRAID.

The install of NVIDIA drivers probably changed the setting. and then try to go into safe mode and uninstall the NVIDIA drivers and Reinstall the original chipset drivers.

I am using raid though, 2 500 gb in a raid0...