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Operating System not found

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by capri

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This may be a dumb question, but...it has been a long time since I've had to deal with this! My "old" desktop on boot after POST displays a message "operating system not found." I can't find my original CD (Win XP Pro). Can I install another copy over the old operating system or will I have to reformat the HD first? I really don't want to do that...need some files there badly. Thanks for helping out an "old" computer analyst again.

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by thumbsup2

If the system sat for a while unused, it's possible the CMOS battery went dead and it lost all of the settings in the BIOS. Can you get into the BIOS to see if the HDD is being detected?

Also, double check that you don't have a floppy disk or CD in the drives. It may be trying to boot to one of those instead of the HDD.

by capri

The system was unused for quite a while since I use my laptop for most work. I didn't think of the CMOS battery; will check it out. At POST the HDD is detected; no floppy or CD in drive.

Thanks!

by hthammond

when installing xp you get the option to replace o.s. but leaving file system intact. but if the pc is telling you no o.s. found and you know it had one when you shut it off. then you eather got a cord unpluged to the hd or some one took it or the hdd went bad . hdd are realy sensitive to being dropped or hit hard ect . there are made simuler to a record player if they get banged around the needle gets messed uptends to flip over or seperates. at any rate most o.s. wont let you go backwards in o.s. version with out having a clean hd

by capri

Another good suggestion! Thanks. I'll check the hd cord, hoping that's the problem rather than a bad hd. Then will try to reinstall XP.

Really appreciate all the helpful suggestions!

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