Error loading OS message

Viral · 30 May 2007 at 05:06

Whilst booting up my pc shows an error whilst loading OS msg, the only way I have found to fix this is to leave my Windows CD in the drive and then windows loads fine. What could be my problem here?

Terrier_Jimlad · 30 May 2007 at 07:03

it would be most helpful if you could tell us what the message actually says? Sounds like missing/corrupt system file(s) maybe ...

Have you tried booting to your Windows CD and running a repair (chkdsk /r) ?

Viral · 30 May 2007 at 09:11

The message actually says "Error loading OS", it appears on the screen which shows you the drives installed and other info on bootup.

Brian Stuart · 30 May 2007 at 09:20

Have you tried setting the boot order in the BIOS to boot from the HDD first?

Substance · 30 May 2007 at 14:13

i had this problem and it can be fixed by changing your translation method in BIOS to large for your primary hard drive, if this doesnt work and you use IDE try a new IDE cable, that worked on my dad's pc

Viral · 4 Jun 2007 at 02:17

I have not tried your suggestions yet Substance but I have done a completley new install of Windows Vista and I still get the same message. I really hope its nothing too serious with my HDD.

Viral · 4 Jun 2007 at 07:18

Ok I tried the large mode and that did not work, I am running SATA so cannot try your other suggestion. Does this mean that my HDD is corrupted in some way?

MeatLoaf · 4 Jun 2007 at 08:20

SuBsTaNcE said:
i had this problem and it can be fixed by changing your translation method in BIOS to large for your primary hard drive, if this doesnt work and you use IDE try a new IDE cable, that worked on my dad's pc

This method worked for me also

Viral · 27 Jun 2007 at 03:51

I have even tried the repair option when booting from a Windows DVD and it said there was nothing to repair. This problem is annoying me now as there must be some missing files on my HDD but I have no idea why as I did a completely fresh install.

weeble · 27 Jun 2007 at 08:18

Had similar issues last night trying to install Vista on my PC. Got different errors each time, and after about 10-20 attempts the HDD got too hot and wasn't recognised by Vista to install onto (but BIOS picked it up). Swapped HDD's and after the 3rd attempt succeeded.

However, if the OS isn't loading, then hasn't the MBR gone wobbly? Have you tried clearing the CMOS? Although usually a fresh install should work...Do you have XP installed on another partition?

footman · 27 Jun 2007 at 19:34

Ive just had a similar problem on my HTPC.
Installed new Nvidia gfx drivers, got a beep and a BSOD, then system would not load XP or boot into any safe mode. ran memtest which showed bad RAM.

Bought new RAM, still no boot! Booted from XP CD and entered recovery console and got the message that the mbr was either not recognised or damaged.

eventually ran fixmbr. All problems have vanished and it loads perfectly!

Now to wonder why it went belly up in the first place.

Viral · 27 Jun 2007 at 21:24

I do not have XP installed on another partition. Maybe I should try fixmbr, I guess thats easy enough to get to right?