Novice User

[S48]

I received a pc but it had a password on it so I could not use it.
I read in a book to take the battery out to reset the password.
But now the PC stops after it lists the hard drive (fixed disk 0) and is not bootable. I read some where that I need to install msdos.sys and IO.sys again. I am really a novice and just want the least cost alternative to get this thing working again.
The pc has a 2g hd and phoenixBIOS 4.05 and it is a m55h1-plus rev b motherboard. Do I need a BIOS flash to get it to work or do I need to buy os software. Can I install Linux instead of windows and If so what do you advise? I tried using some software to look at the HD but it said it could read the boot record or something like that. Any advise would be appreciated.

[thronka]

Hit the DEL key when it turns on and see if anything conflicts.

[Bill in SD, CA]

Welcome to TechIMO!!

Well, it's obviously seeing the hard drive in the BIOS otherwise you wouldn't the disk 0 message.

Is it possible that whoever or wherever you got the computer from removed the OS?

If so, you'll need to install a fresh OS

A bootdisk should allow you to see what's on the drive or you could slave the drive to another system and see what's on it.

Bill

[S48]

Can I install Linux. Before it had a windows version on it (from 1998). If so what version (mandrake, red hat, ...?)

What is a bootdisk ? I tried to see what was on it and the boot sector was unreadable.

Does windows wipe out the software and require a reinstall when you do what I did ?

Thank you for your help.

[blubomber]

S48, Welcome to TechIMO!!!

When you start the computer and it is doing the memory count, hit the DEL key to get into the BIOS. On the BIOS main screen, you should have a menu item that says Set Defaults or something similar. Highlight that and press enter, then go to the save and exit bios option and hit enter. Say yes you want to save the changes.

See if that gets it to try and boot. Do you know if the computer had an OS installed already? What are the total specs on the computer such as Processor, memory and CD-ROM?

[S48]

I did reset the Bios and saved the chages ... did not work.

The OS was some version of Windows. (98 ? )

CPU=Pentium 200 MHZ

640K Ram
and it has a CD -rom

[Bill in SD, CA]

Originally posted by S48
what is a bootdisk ?

I tried to see what was on it and the boot sector was unreadable.

Does windows wipe out the software and require a reinstall when you do what I did ?

1. BootDisks

2. Not good - Download and run manufacturers diagnostic disk. A FDISK /MBR may be in order.

3. No.

Bill

[S48]

Thank you ... this is very helpful !