Computer ColdBoot, Not Seeing HDD

[Dove19983]

I finally got my third computer build and now when I boot it up it doesnt see the hdd.
If I let it run like that for about 40 secs Screen says Operating System not found then I reset it works fine.
the hdd was fine when it was installed on my current system with linux.
I formated it with the mandrake install then fdisked it to 3 partitions.
Ran windows setup installed fine and everything.

I have tried looking around a little bit but cant find what to do.
The setup the computer is running now is the same things that came from HP expect for a linksys NIC.
Does this mean the harddrive is dying or do I need to move it around in the case, Like flipping it over, standing it up?

[Steve R Jones]

Weird.

Try it without the NIC.

Run scandisk. Boot sector might be bad.

[eagle1]

It might be the boot sector! But check the BIOS too for Hard Drive specifications. Also, what OS (or os'es) are you using? Which is the default one?

[MaxVal]

Hard disk may not be up to speed when post looks for the operating System.
Make sure fast system test is dissabled in CMOS.
Anything that delays the OS load may solve the problem.
MAX

[daveleau]

I agree with MaxVal. This is also indicative of a weak PS. If the PS cannot get everything the power needed on cold boots, it manifests itself this way.
Good luck
dave

[GrimBo]

Agreed, How old is the HD? Once upon a time long long ago, there lived a... ooops wrong story. I had to turn on my machine, let it count the ram 3 times, then b4 the loading OS then hitting the reset button. When I did this it allowed the HD enough time to get itself together.



I just got my brand new 8086XT! They threw in a 13" CGA monitor free!!

[strangerstill]

What happens when you run auto-detect from within the BIOS? Say after waiting a minute or two?



Rerunning the Best Of GrimBo?

[Dove19983]

Well It may be the boot sector, I had linux on it before this but I fdisked the MBR.
Its the same stuff that was in the machine when I first got it from HP.
I will try with out the nic.
But I have had another harddrive and nic and video card in it with the same PS and worked with out a problem.