PC Troubleshooting Questions and Answers - Disk boot Failure, Insert System Disk and Press Enter Error Message

Nathraj writes in with a troubleshooting question
Question:"Disk boot Failure, Insert System Disk and Press Enter" This error message is shown at the boot up every time and it never proceeds further. I used the XP CD to resolve and got no response, then motherboard CD no response. Up to this message the computer checks IDE devices, DHCP etc.

Answer: If you can't boot to your Windows CD then make sure that your boot order in your BIOS is set to boot from CD first otherwise you will get the hard drive error before the CD had a chance to boot. Even if you don't have a hard drive in the computer you should be able to boot from the CD.

Also make sure that your hard drive is listed in the BIOS. If it's not then Windows won't be able to find anywhere to install itself and give you an error message. The Windows setup will also tell you if it found a hard drive or not.

The next step would be to check the cables on the drive and the motherboard to make sure they are secure and not damaged. Or you can do this first if you like. You can also start the computer with the cover off and see if youhear the hard drive spinning up. You may want to try a different cable or port on the motherboard as a troubleshooting method.

Another option is to take the drive out and see if it can be recognized either when installed in another computer or in a USB drive caddy and plugged into another computer. There is always the possibility that the drive is bad. Or if you have another drive to put in the computer to make sure that it's not a motherboard problem you can test that as well.

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