Operating system not found message

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Occasionally when I have left my computer on, but not in use for a few
hours, the screen will display 'operating system not found' message. All I
can do is start it by power button, and stop it same way; the repair CD
won't run. After a few attempts it has started up so far. I'm worried about
the day it won't. Any suggestions. TIA

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

See these archived threads here:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/search?hl=en&group=microsoft.public.windowsxp.general&q=%22operating+system+not+found%22&qt_g=1&searchnow=Search+this+group
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Security, Shell/User)
AH-VSOP


Fungus wrote:
> Occasionally when I have left my computer on, but not in use for a few
> hours, the screen will display 'operating system not found' message. All
> I
> can do is start it by power button, and stop it same way; the repair CD
> won't run. After a few attempts it has started up so far. I'm worried
> about
> the day it won't. Any suggestions. TIA

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Unless someone posts a better idea, I would suspect your IDE controller is
failing (or, possibly, your hard drive -- but in my experience it's more
often the controller).

The controller is likely built into the motherboard. You can buy an IDE card
for $15-$20 dollars and see if that makes the problem go away. It's a fairly
cheap test. If you can borrow one for a few day, that would be an even
cheaper test.

Make backups! Now! And keep updating your backups until you are SURE you've
solved the problem -- then keep doing regular backups anyway.



"Fungus" wrote:

> Occasionally when I have left my computer on, but not in use for a few
> hours, the screen will display 'operating system not found' message. All I
> can do is start it by power button, and stop it same way; the repair CD
> won't run. After a few attempts it has started up so far. I'm worried about
> the day it won't. Any suggestions. TIA
>
>
>

 

[z]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Fungus wrote:
> Occasionally when I have left my computer on, but not in use for a few
> hours, the screen will display 'operating system not found' message. All I
> can do is start it by power button, and stop it same way; the repair CD
> won't run. After a few attempts it has started up so far. I'm worried about
> the day it won't. Any suggestions. TIA

Is it a laptop? If so, check the connector to the hard drive, they can
wiggle loose.