Is this a BIOS issue?

Hi everyone. My old desktop PC (now a backup/print server etc) goes through a whole bunch of stuff when it is booting up, I suspect some of it is left over from old network cards etc. It goes through a 'realtek boot agent' routine (and sometimes hangs there) then there is a bizarre 'client mac addr' and DHCP routine, before it reports 'exiting PXE-ROM' and continues to boot. This all takes place in the white-on-black system text before windows (XP pro) kicks in.

I remember wiping the C drive and reloading windows a year or so ago and all this stuff remained, and I am about to do another clean install, but how do I clean this stuff up? Do I have to reload the BIOS?

If so, how do I find the necessary details about the existing BIOS? This is a 'generic' PC with very little documentation, and obviously I'm nervous about tinkering with the BIOS in the first place.

Any input will be gratefully heard!

 

Actually I should clarify - I'm not 100% positive that I actually wiped the C drive that time or just reloaded windows - I think I wiped it but it is possible that I didn't

 

Try formatting like this>>seeing as you already know how to install '98.
WARNING it will wipe evetthing off the drive.

Insert your boot floppy type FDISK /MBR hit enter
(this destroys the master boot record and re-creates it. You should not see anything on the screen.)

type FORMAT C: /U /S hit enter
(this will format your hard drive and "SYS" it. This will install the system files needed to boot up. When it's done you may enter a name for this drive if you wish.

That's the basics. If you need more info let us know.

 

Thanks HD, I think the smoke has cleared.

So this is an issue with the boot sector of my C drive?

Therefore replacing windows wouldn't change anything. Of course.

So I should just be able to create an XP boot disk and format from that?

 

Have you checked the boot order within BIOS? The 'PXE' message is when your machine is trying to boot from a network which obviously doesn't exist anymore. Set it to boot from the Hard drive first and disable booting from any other devices that no longer exist (network cards etc.)

To access BIOS press Del or Esc or F1 or F2 during booting up.

 

You don't need a xp floppy set. Just set the cd rom to first boot, insert the xp Cd, boot up & you are away. Follow the screens, delete the partiton then set XP up on it.

 

Thanks guys, I've got it.

That network thing makes sense, I remember unsuccessfully trying a couple of wireless cards/routers before getting my current solution, so it is probably still hunting for addresses etc from a missing router.

The machine is overdue for a good clean anyway so I will go with a reformat and clean install from the XP CD and it looks like that should do the trick.

I'm happy about that, I really didn't want to play with the BIOS!

Cheers, WG

 

This problem occurs before XP kicks in. I think this is a BIOS issue. You just need to change the boot order. It is quite easy to do. I would, at least, try this before starting a full reinstall.