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Missing Operating System after XP install

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by 4u computers support

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I am getting a 'missing operating system' error when the computer starts after installing Win XP Hm.
The system is 5-6 years old and had a 6G HDD. I have tried to put in an 80G HDD. I had to update the bios. The bios will recongise the new drive.
I have reinstall the operating system from CD 2-3 times using different options like NTFS with no partiton, NTFS with 6.8G partiton, Fat32 with no patiton, fat 32 with 6.8G partiton.
I can boot from win 98 floppy and the required system files are on the c:\. I have tried scandisk, fdisk, fixboot, fixmbr, chkdisk. I don't have a XP bootable floppy.
I have even tried putting the drive into another (2nd) computer and it loads fine. Have even used this computer to reinstall OS from the CD and when complete put the drive back in 1st computer and still get the same error.
The mother borad is EP-3VBM by EPoX. The HDD is 80G Seagate Barracuda 7200.

Can anyone help with this.
Thanks
Sydney

5 replies

by trebyal

Since you have replaced the hard drive with a known good (it work on another unit) there is a great possibility that the IDE/ATAPI controller on the motherboard is failing. If your using a desktop you could try changing IDE channels... if this does not work then you have to replace your motherboard...

by thanat0s

this is prolly dumb of me to say, but have to changed the cmos battery?

Just thought i would mention it cuz some ppl forget bout that and it will not see the O/S if no battery or if it's dead.

If it helps, glad i could help.

HAG1 n GL

Grim Reaper

by rockmanzerox105

same as mine!!

motherboard: SCE USA Motherboards 993AN
HDD: Maxtor 6gb (winXP OK)
HDD: Maxtor 80gb (Missing OS *winXP*)

hahahah ~_~ oh my

by roger

Missing Operating System.
Issue:
Missing Operating System.

Cause:
Below is a listing of the different causes of the Missing Operating System error message.

In future always Back-up your Computerf to avoid such an incident. Thanks ! Roger

Missing or corrupted command.com or other boot files.
Computer Virus
Boot Record is corrupted.
Hard drive has failed or has been erased.
Solution:
If you are receiving the Missing Operating System error message it is recommended that you follow the below steps to resolve the issue.

Caution: The below steps suggest using a bootable diskette, make sure this bootable diskette is designed for your operating system. For example, do not use a Window 98 bootable diskette and follow the below steps on a computer with Windows XP.

Using a write protected bootable diskette, boot from the diskette and type "sys c:" after pressing enter this should give you the message system transferred. Once this has been completed, reboot the computer. If you get any other messages, see our Boot disk page.
If the number one does not resolve your issue, boot from the diskette again and at the prompt type "fdisk /mbr" and press enter. This should just return you back to the prompt. Once back at the prompt, reboot the computer.
Finally, if one and two are unable to resolve your issue, it is recommended that you boot from the boot diskette again and reinstall or format and reinstall the operating system.

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