Start up issues

I have a Dell desktop running windows XP and when I start it up I get a black screen with the message

Floppy Disk(s) Fail (40)

Press F1 to continue or F2 to enter setup

If F1 is pressed I get a message that says:

Error loading operating system


Can anyone help?

 

It is a 630i and I've never changed any battery in it, didn't know it had on to be honest. As for a floppy drive, there isn't anyplace to insert a floppy disk, but when I went into menu to look around it was set as first boot to the diskette drive, is that an internal floppy drive?

 

binky26205...

Not sure, but I think it's possible that perhaps there was once a floppy connected to the PC.

You were able to enter BIOS. Did you try moving the main hard drive to first in the boot order? Use the up/down arrow to highlight the main drive and press enter. Then use the up arrow to move the drive to the top of the list. Exit the BIOS, first saving the changes, and reboot.

 

I would replace the CMOS battery as plodr suggests. It's usually a CR 2032 button cell battery that costs $2 — $4. In Dell BIOS setup (F2 during POST screen), choose Boot order on left, press Enter to modify and use the "U" or "D" key to move a device up or down then save and exit according to instructions on screen.

Even though your computer doesn't have a floppy drive connected, the BIOS still supports booting from one. My Dell Precision M70 laptop didn't come with a floppy drive either. But one is supported by BIOS. I bought an external drive that can either connect via USB OR go into my media bay where my optical drive normally is. I have a program that runs from floppy only and have needed to run it occasionally. I plug the floppy drive into a USB port, boot from the floppy and run the program.

 

You've got the answer.

NB Remember to unplug the computer from the socket outlet before attempting to replace the battery.

 

I did change the CMOS battery and I changed the main drive to the hard drive and I'm still getting the same message.

 

If the new CMOS battery didn't solve the boot problem, the problem is a little more serious. Proceed as follow:

1. Enter the BIOS and choose Load Default Settings - it's usually on the last screen. Click Save, not Save and Exit. Then go to the boot devices. The first boot device should be the CD/DVD Drive, and the second should be the HDD. Click Save and Exit.

2. Load the Windows CD. Print or view the following instructions on another PC. And follow them word for word.

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/

You may have to re-install some programs but, your files should be intact. If you don't have the Windows XP CD, borrow one keeping in mind it must be the same as the Windows XP on your PC. If your are prompted to enter a product key, you must enter your product key.