Startup Error 1962 – No O/S Found

Could a bad CD drive cause a 1962 No Operating System Found error on a Netvista 6578-G9U?
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It was running winServer2003 when it first gave the error so I over-wrote it with Linux using the DVD drive).
But it still gives the 1962 with no option for accessing BIOS.

I switched HDs with a good machine and
– the Linux HD from the 1962 PC worked okay
– the bad PC with the good HD still has the 1962.

Maybe I should switch CD drives?

Could it be something else?
I found IBM’s take on 1962 and it leans pretty heavily upon it being a bad HD.

Hope someone can help,
Peter.