Can't boot

Try looking for help here if you are having problems with the Ultimate Boot CD.

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jfshep
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:30 am

Can't boot

#1 Post by jfshep » Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:29 pm

Hi:
I am trying to resurrect an old (1996) Gateway in order to donate it to some group that can use it. However, I am stuck with the "Invalid system disk" message no matter what I try to boot with. This includes UBCD, Boot Disk, WXp, W2k pro, W98(2) and W95. So, I have tried CDROM and floppy boots. The harddisk I am using was reformatted as one partition (FAT32) on another computer using Partition Magic.
The BIOS settings look ok...all components are installed and look correct. If I boot with only UBCD inserted, it sounds as if the drive is being activated (read?) for a few seconds before the failure
message appears.

I think my problems are unrelated to UBCD, but I was hoping someone could suggest a cause/fix.

Thanks.

Constance
Posts: 338
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:21 am
Location: France

#2 Post by Constance » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:48 pm

Hmm maybe both the floppy and cdrom drives are defective, so you always end trying to boot on the HDD, which has no system ...
Hammerite Compendium of Precepts, Regimens and Rules of Conduct, Vol. 113 :
A stroke of thy chisel, once made, canst be undone, but a stroke thou dost not make from fear is a worse flaw.
Be not cautious - be correct.

jfshep
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:30 am

#3 Post by jfshep » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:43 am

The current CD drive was working in the very recent past. I did try another drive and cable with no change.

I was also thinking of temporarily trying the floppy from my working computer, but I haven't tried this yet.

There could be a problem with the motherboard, but I don't know if I want to go to a replacement there.

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