HP Pavilion a257c boot issues

[tshille]

When I push the power button, the computer starts to boot but then stops booting and an error message says it's detecting a disk in drive A, so it won't continue. There is no disk in drive A. If I hit Enter, same message. If i insert a disk in A and hit Enter, same message. Any ideas?

 

[WR2]

Hello tshille;

Try this:
Get into the BIOS settings (tap F2 key at power on) and change the BOOT first option from the Floppy Disk to the Hard Drive, then the CD. Either leave the floppy boot option off or set it last.

 

[tshille]

When I push the power button, the computer starts to boot but then stops booting and an error message says it's detecting a disk in drive A, so it won't continue. There is no disk in drive A. If I hit Enter, same message. If i insert a disk in A and hit Enter, same message. Any ideas?

Sorry, I tried, but it's doing the same thing. Didn't mention before that on the screen it says "BIOS ROM checksum error INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"

Before at this point, I tried inserting the recovery CDs that came w/ the machine and pressing enter, but that didn't work. Currently, it is repeating the "INSERT DISK" message over and over, apparently the same number of times I tapped F2. Any other ideas or does the further info help?

 

[WR2]

""BIOS ROM checksum error" This is potentially much more serious error than the INSERT DISK message.

Have you changed out the little motherboard battery any time recently?

How to Determine if the CMOS Battery Has Failed

 

[WR2]

Removing and Replacing the CMOS Battery

 

[WR2]

Troubleshooting Motherboard Issues

 

[tshille]

Thanks a ton WR2. I've never replaced it. Bought it new in '03-'04 and it's had heavy usage (work, play). I'll investigate.

Couple other Qs, if you don't mind:

I'm ready to give up the desktop and have a thinkpad w/ docking station, but will my router and cable modem work fine in the docking station, ie, will the router/modem function all the time even if the laptop is not in the dock (but dock remains plugged in)? The dock has an ethernet connection, I believe. Then I can wait on the desktop and just move on (ie, just do a full recovery on the desktop and use for different purposes; and if that doesn't work, change the cmos batt.).

I'm guessing I'd have to install the software for the linksys router on the laptop, but I can do that, I think. The modem is roadrunner, and I don't think I need to install that software (had to in '99 originally, but then switched to the new(er) pavillion, they said it was not necessary, as it came through the modem automatically ... or something like that.

Sorry if these are obtuse questions. Everything works now (ie, home network), even with the desktop not booting (but modem/router still plugged in), and I don't want to lose that because I have a third laptop (w/ dock) i use only for work and can't lose the connection for a day.

A big post, and sorry again for the many questions. Any help would be great, but don't hesitate to ignore me!

 

[WR2]

Do you actually need a docking station for the laptop? Maybe looking into a wireless router?

Router/cable modem will not have an issue with the docking station. Any of the other ports on the router will work with the desktop. Just make sure the router has extra Ethernet ports.

Should not need to install software on the laptop to work with the router (and cable modem). It's just a standard Ethernet connection.

 

[tshille]

Do you actually need a docking station for the laptop? Maybe looking into a wireless router?

Router/cable modem will not have an issue with the docking station. Any of the other ports on the router will work with the desktop. Just make sure the router has extra Ethernet ports.

Should not need to install software on the laptop to work with the router (and cable modem). It's just a standard Ethernet connection.

Excellent advice, thank a million, WR2!