«Operating System no found» 1

[Lucodu]

I recently changed the 40G harddrive from my HP computer (with pre-installed Windows XP on it) and installed in into another computer. Then quickly found out this is not possible to do. I then reinstalled the harddrive into the original computer (I do believe when I installed it back, everything worked fine). A few days later, I turned the computer on, and all I'm getting is «Operating system not found».
Question #1: Can the simple action of removing a harddrive from a computer erase the operating system on it?

Question #2: Is there any way I can reactivate Windows XP on it?

Thanks.

luc

 

[vacunita]

Question 1: Nope unless some action was taken, such as repairing the installation while in the other machine. However since you said it worked fine for a few days afterward this is likely an unrelated event.


Question 2: Depends on why the Operating system is not found.


I would start by going into BIOS and making sure the hard drive is being recognized.

If it is, then maybe running recovery console may get Windows back up.


If the Drive is not being recognized by BIOS then you need to figure out why. Jumper setting, cable issue, hardware failure etc...





----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[Lucodu]

Thanks, Vacunita,

I don't believe any action was taken while i installed the HD. How do I go into BIOS? I am quite new at this. Thanks.

 

[vacunita]

That varies between computers. Usually by pressing the Delete key as the machine is turned on. Most of the time it tells you in the first Manufacturers Splash Screen. Something like: "Press X to enter setup". Where X is some key.

Sometimes it can be F2 or even F10

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[linney]

See if the connections to your hard drive are connected securely, perhaps they have become loose or even fallen off?

Entering the Bios is usually done by pressing some Keyboard key, such as DEL, or F1, at Bootup, this information is usually visible on one of the first screens displayed at bootup after powering up the machine. There is always your manual to refer to.

"Operating System Not Found" or "Missing operating system" error message when you start your Windows XP-based computer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321626

Operating System not found........
thread779-558123

 

[Lucodu]

Okay. I just entered the BIOS (by pressing F1 with HP Pavillon). Here are the values:

Primary Master: [None]
Primary Slave: [None]
Secondary Master: [Samsung CD-R/RW Drive -]
Secondary Slave: [None]

Installed Memory: 512 MB/PC100

Core version: 4.06
BIOS revision: 3.07 01/22/02
Processor serial number: [Disabled]

I have very little clue as to what I am looking for now. Is the HD being recognized according to these values? Thanks.

 

[vacunita]

Nope, not recognized. Should be something other [None] in the Primary Master Slot.


Turn of the computer and check all connections. make sure everything is plugged nice and snug. Check the jumper settings on the drive itself. Make sure its set to master.

Then turn the computer back on, and check again if its being seen in BIOS.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[Lucodu]

I have checked the connections carefully, and every cable seems snug. I did not change the jumper settings, so they should be set correctly. The master cable (and not the slave) is plugged into the HD.
I'm sure it has to do with the way the cables are set as everything worked fine before i tried to change this HD into my other computer, and then ended it putting it back where it belonged... but I can't figure out what I did wrong...

 

[vacunita]

When you turn the machine on, if you put your hand on the drive can you feel it spin?

Other than that, I feel the drive may have just died. It does happen to drives.



----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[Lucodu]

there is vibration when i touch the drive (i assume that the spinning causes the vibration). so i assume it is still «alive».

just to make sure it's not a cables problems, in terms the number of cables that are directly attached to the HD, there are only two, right? 1) the master connector (two-inch wide grey cable), and 2) the IDE/Serial ATA or power cables (eight small wires: 2 yellow, 4 black, 2 red). Then, there is another small series of 4 cables (1 yellow, 1 red and 2 black) that run from the power cable to another component located on top of the HD.
As far as I am concerned, those three cables are the only ones I unplugged then plugged back in. Am I missing anything? I sure hope so! Again, thanks for your support. The morale is getting low...

 

[edfair]

Double check the gray connector for being inserted fully. The power is good or the drive wouldn't be spinning. The extension to the power wires feeds the floppy disk.

Your bios may have a section to help identify the hard drives connected. Can't recall what it says.

And double check the motherboard connector. Wiggling the cable may have loosened it.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[Freestone]

Though usually keyed, ensure the IDE cable is oriented correctly in the hard drive. There is a stripe on the side of the cable indicating pin 1 side, and the cable is positioned so that this stripe is nearest the hard drive power connector. See figure 1.5 in the following link:

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/install-hard-drive.htm

 

[Lucodu]

Thanks to all of you. I double-checked the cables, and everything seems fine. I just don't know what the problem is. I am leaving now for a Thanksgiving dinner... I'll have to resume this puzzle later this evening or tomorrow...

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

luc

 

[G0AOZ]

Make sure you're getting the vibration from the hard drive, and not from the CD or a case fan, for example.

Maybe when you initially removed the drive from that computer, the cable was slightly stiff and a wire has parted inside the connector. Try another cable, and ensure it's orientated correctly AT BOTH ENDS.

Ensure the 4-pin power connector is fully home and making a good contact with the pins in the drive's power socket.

ROGER - G0AOZ.