Missing Operating System in Win2K

[nuglorious]

Hello there,

I having a problem with my cpu. While during I did the printing and suddenly I cant find any files. So I thought I just reboot it and what I see at the screen in black background stated "missing operationg system". Whats the cause of it? and how do i solve this problem? I have saved most of the files inside this computer but i hope it wont lost or damage.
I thank you for your guidance. Pls help :confuse2:

[Bofinn]

I would plug the drive into another computer (as slave) and see if there is any data left. Maybe your hard drive is bad.

[dddibley]

Not sure how it lost files.. but it might be trying to boot from floppy or CD??
Remove any disks in those drives.

Go into the BIOS and see if the drive is recognized. Data or power cable might be loose too.

Hope that helps.

ddd

[nuglorious]

Thanks for your reply.
Im not sure thats the reason of my bad drive. Is there anything I can do to solve this problem. I feel like I want to reformat and reinstall but I dont want to lost the files that I have saved. What should I do? And as you suggestion, Im not experienced in technical method. Please advised.

[azproc]

If you have another hard drive, put the one with the error as "Slave" and then boot with the good drive. Then try to copy the files you need back to the "Master". When this is done, you can either reformat, or if you really think there's a failure, you can RMA (return it for warranty if covered, after you get a Return Merchandise Authorization).

[dddibley]

You can get the 'missing operating system' message if your computer is set up to boot from floppy, cd/dvd or hard drive and it doesn't find the appropriate disk. Depends on the prefered sequence. Remove all disks.

I see you have a Compaq so the BIOS entry key might be 'F10' during the boot screen. Other common keys are 'Del' and 'Ins'.

Main page of BIOS should have an entry for hard disk drive (HDD). If it shows up you're OK.. at least the computer knows it's there. BIOS menus are different, so search around until you find an entry for 'Boot Device or Sequence', or something of that nature. Make sure your HDD is listed.

If the BIOS doesn't see the HDD, exit and turn off the computer. Remove power cord and open case. Reconnect the power and data (ribbon) cables from the HDD. Reassemble and check BIOS again.

Any change ?

ddd

[nuglorious]

what i did was i reinstall the win2k and i did deleted g: which at the end came out with worse results. The error message shows like this "File \1386\c_437.nls could not be loaded. The error code is 2.Setup cannot continue.Press any key to exit." I tried few times to reinstall but failed. Not just tht the pc cant even read boodisk as well. what should i do???Now I couldnt do anything w this pc....I wonder if my pc still can b used or not..

[wallijonn]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q102987/ (read towards the end of the page):

Nls Control Entries

This key contains subkeys that define information for languages and code pages.

In the Code Page and Language subkeys, all code pages and languages supported under Windows NT are listed, so applications can check these keys to find all "supported" languages. However, only the entries with filenames in the data fields are actually installed in the system. So applications must check the data fields to find out if a specific code page is actually installed in the system.

http://www.google.com/search?q=c_437...en-US:official

So, did you have more than one language selected?

[dddibley]

Let's clarify..

- You were printing (with printer) then lost the ability to locate files on your computer with Windows Explorer ?

- a reboot produced a 'missing operating system' message, black background.

- tried reinstalling Win2K, deleting a G: drive. Install failed, unable to load file from CD. Repeat installs also failed.

- now it won't boot from floppy?

At this point you really need to get into the BIOS to see what hardware is available. Dig out your manual if you have one. Any technical info about your computer would be helpful. Things like computer model, how many hard drives or partitions, that sort of thing.

Could be as simple as loading BIOS setup defaults. Won't be able to tell until we get in there.

ddd

[Gendo Ikari]

IMO, try to change your memory. I got computers labaratory, and lot of pc with bad memory getting errors like this.

So check this option.

[nuglorious]

wallijonn,
1)I do not know how many languagues in there but I would like to know how to check how many of them.
dddibley,
2)Yes, this is what happened and until I really do not know what to do... I would also like to try yr opinion to go into the BIOS but first of all, would you kindly show me step by step to check this out???For your info, I dont have any manual book which I can refer into. Im appreciate of your help...
Genko Ikari,
3)I would like to try out the last solution from dddibley, and if its still not workable, I might consider your last solution.

[PCBruiser]

Moving this thread from the Security Forum to the Windows NT, 2K, XP Forum.

[dddibley]

hey nuglorious..

Found these links on the HP site (assuming it's a p550).

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/fi...20_360.html#20

This one in particular looked helpful

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/fi...load/9260.html

Got this from your other thread.. still valid except for the OS?

Product : compaq deskpro ep series
processor type : P(R)III Processor 550E MHz
processor speed: 550/100Mhz
processor stepping: 681
cache size(L1/L2):32/256KB
memory size: 64mb
system ram: 686JI v3.10
chassis serial number:7011DWJ20056
asset tracking number:7011DWJ20056

Partition Status Type Volume Label Mbytes System Usage
1 NTFS 4001 42%
2 EXTDOS 4061 43%
C:3 A PRI DOS EXIT 1979 FAT32 21%

I'm still looking for the BIOS entry key. Is there a screen when you boot that states "Press 'this key' to enter BIOS". usually on the lower right hand side of screen

ddd

[dddibley]

Lots more stuff

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...SeriesId=96269

Is there a second hard drive in there? Still trying to figure where the G: drive came from.

A DOS boot probably won't see the NTFS partitions.

ddd

[dddibley]

Looks like it's the F10 key. Just hold it down after you turn on the computer.

ddd