Formatting

Sharpz · 9 Feb 2008 at 19:40

i know this is such a simple process but im stuck!!!. ive formatted many times in the past and i know its a common thing. normally i insert the windows disc, set priority to cd-rom drive and follow the instructions. never formatted on this computer before and thought it was time.

Re-started PC
Inserted disc
Set priority

Nothing (loads up windows normally)

tried again

Set priority and disabled rest

nothing (loads up wndows)

whats weird is i get not post in bios saying press enter to boot disc.

can anyone help? thanks.

davethe11 · 9 Feb 2008 at 20:52

I would check that the cd drive is ok, unplug all hard drives (just remove the data cables) but leave the cdrom drive connected, go into the bios and make sure cdrom is set as first boot device and try your windows cd. Also, the windows cd could be damaged, does it have any major scratches on it at all?

Sharpz · 9 Feb 2008 at 20:57

davethe11 said:
I would check that the cd drive is ok, unplug all hard drives (just remove the data cables) but leave the cdrom drive connected, go into the bios and make sure cdrom is set as first boot device and try your windows cd. Also, the windows cd could be damaged, does it have any major scratches on it at all?

no scratches the disc is clean, works in windows i just cant get it to work in bios. ill give your idea a go

Edit : - Tried your idea and i get the messege "Disk Boot Failure, Insert system disk and press enter."

ANDARIAL · 9 Feb 2008 at 21:37

Have you made sure you have saved the settings in the bios before exiting?

Sharpz · 9 Feb 2008 at 21:40

davethe11 · 9 Feb 2008 at 22:20

is the optical drive definately detected in the bios? Can you see the cdrom light falsh when the system begins to boot? Also, does the drive definately work ok once you have booted into windows?

Also, if you have access to another pc, pop the windows disk in there and see if you can boot from cd just to make sure the disk is ok.

Kemik · 9 Feb 2008 at 22:21

Make sure you don't miss the "If you want to boot from the CD press any key". Sometimes if you don't press within 2 or 3 seconds it'll continue to boot.

split · 10 Feb 2008 at 01:16

Sharpz said:
no scratches the disc is clean, works in windows i just cant get it to work in bios. ill give your idea a go
"

Works in windows doesn't mean it's bootable.
Genuine CD or a copy?

russ0r · 10 Feb 2008 at 02:09

Sharpz said:
no scratches the disc is clean, works in windows i just cant get it to work in bios. ill give your idea a go

Your disc is bootable...right? Have you booted off it before or is it a new disc?

Sharpz · 10 Feb 2008 at 11:38

davethe11 said:
is the optical drive definately detected in the bios? Can you see the cdrom light falsh when the system begins to boot? Also, does the drive definately work ok once you have booted into windows?

Also, if you have access to another pc, pop the windows disk in there and see if you can boot from cd just to make sure the disk is ok.

thanks for the help guys, bios was not detecting the cdrom and now its fixed