Hello all, I have a new problem with a pc that was given to me the other day. It has a tall tower, about 2feet, has 64MB RAM, a Pentium - MMX 266 mhz processor. The problem I'm having is that when I put a boot floppy of any kind in it, I get the following message: Invalid system disk, replace the disk, then press any key . This happens if there's a disk in the drive or not, I have replaced the floppy drive two or three times, with the same results. I have been trying to install an OS on this machine for testing purposes, with no luck getting past this obstacle. I tried to use my "Automagic" disk to install, but it erased the disk instead, (I forgot to slide the tab, dang it!), and now I cant find the program to replace it either. It has the option in the BIOS to boot from the CDROM, but wont boot that way. Any ideas on what to try next? Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

chris
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05-19-03, 07:17 PM
Dwight
Have you tried deleting the Floppy disk drive in the System Device Manager, then restarting? Windows Plug 'N Play will recognize the Floppy hardware as new and reinstall the software for it.

I suggest you delete both the Floppy Drive from the Disk Drive section, and the floppy controller.

Right click on "My Computer", choose "Properties". Then click the Device Manager tab. Click the + sign to the left of "Disk Drives" and select the floppy drive. Click the "Remove" button.

Move down to the Floppy Disk Controllers and do the same thing.

Click OK on the System Properties window and restart your computer.

Were you able to figure out the Product ID for you CD disks?

Dwight
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05-19-03, 07:20 PM
Murray S.
Vans:

Also check in BIOS and make sure a: drive is set for 3.5 and NOT 5.25 disks..

Murray
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05-19-03, 07:43 PM
vansrme
Dwight:
Thanks for that idea! It hadnt occurred to me! I'll try that in a few minutes, and no, I havent gotten those ID keys from those disks, I've tried searching them with every possible term for it, and they wont show.

Murray S.,

I checked that, and it was set right, I even tried re setting the BIOS degaults, no luck! Thanks for trying!



chris
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05-19-03, 07:51 PM
vansrme
Dwight,
I cant get the floppy drive to work long enough to install Windows and be able to try your idea. The error message comes up while booting.

chris
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05-19-03, 08:16 PM
Murray S.
Vans:

I am assuming you have the floppy drive connected properly.. Floppy light is NOT on all the time??

Murray
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05-19-03, 08:27 PM
vansrme
Murray,
When I started, it was on all the time, but I got it straightened out. The only floppy that would even start was Simmtester, but it would not go far due to saying it could not find the autoexec.bat, and config.sys files. I dont why they arent there, could be I erased them somehow. Anyway, after telling me that, it went to an A: prompt, and stayed there.

chris
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05-19-03, 09:07 PM
Murray S.
Is it still being recognized by Windows??

Murray
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05-19-03, 09:08 PM
Murray S.
Dang entered that too quick.. have you tried a different cable?? It is very possible the one you are using now is damaged !!

Murray
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05-19-03, 09:18 PM
vansrme
Murray,
yep, tried two different cables.

chris
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05-19-03, 09:45 PM
Byter
Hi vans:
It sounds, if you're getting the A: prompt, that "COMMAND.COM" is up and running.
From there have you tried any inherent DOS commands ? Like "DIR" or "TYPE" if so then your drive may be working.

Just a thought.
Mike b. (AKA Byter)
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05-19-03, 11:15 PM
vansrme
Now I cant even get the "A" prompt. All I get is: "Invalid system disk", or "Disk Boot Failure" or something similar. It will get to the point of saying "Verifying DMI Pool Data" and just sit there, with the light on, spinning and doing nothing else.

chris
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05-20-03, 10:57 AM
Murray S.
Boot into BIOS.. Now, use the "Default" setting and see if that brings everything up.

Murray
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05-20-03, 11:44 AM
vansrme
Ok, just tried that Murray, I'm back to the "Invalid system disk" error, even without a disk in any drives. When I put a boot disk in at this point, it still says the same. You think the motherboard may be bad?

chris
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05-20-03, 11:52 AM
Murray S.
I think your floppy controller may have gone to the big repair depot in the sky..

Murray
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05-20-03, 11:56 AM
vansrme
Is there any way to replace it, or would I have to modify the board in some way?

chris
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05-20-03, 01:33 PM
Murray S.
Personally, I would think it easier to get a different motherboard..

Murray
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05-20-03, 02:18 PM
ivnj
Or something like THIS.

ivnj
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05-20-03, 03:26 PM
Murray S.
ivnj:

That may work as long as there is an open ISA slot or if there even is an ISA slot on the mobo.

Murray
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05-21-03, 03:24 PM
vansrme
Well, still having problems with this thing, I'm doing everything I can to make it work without replacing the MB, it still gets to the part about Verifying DMI Pool Data, and sits there. Any other ideas before I strip it down? LOL

chris
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05-21-03, 04:15 PM
ivnj
Problems with floppy drives
Put in a 98 Boot Disk. Goto a A: prompt and type in

fdisk /mbr.

Hit enter and reboot the machine with the boot disk outof the drive after reboot.

ivnj
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05-21-03, 04:56 PM
Murray S.
The message you are getting normally means something wrong with BIOS..

Double check everything in there..

If nothing appears amiss, this is what I would do next...

1: Disconnected the power cable from the AC outlet
2: Open computer casing and REMOVE the cable connector from the HARDDRIVE and FLOPPY
3: next REMOVE the CMOS BATTERY
4: Press the computer POWER switch ON for a few seconds ( to DRAIN the system of any current )
5: after 5 -10 minutes REPLACE the BATTERY
6: Reconnect the hdd and floppy cable.
7: Plug the system back in and power up..


Murray
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05-21-03, 05:21 PM
TomGL2
I think Murray is probably right about the BIOS issue. Two points --

(1) Always touch the metal frame before reaching into the case to eliminate static charge.

(2) Check the motherboard for a "Clear CMOS" or "CL RTC" (clear real-time clock) jumper. It may be nothing more than a pair of solder points. Short the connection for a few seconds to restore the BIOS defaults, then power up.

(3) If you still see the DMI error, remove the battery. You may need to keep it out for as long as 24 hours.
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05-24-03, 09:56 AM
vansrme
I looked for the Clear CMOS or CLRTC settings, but could not find either, no use to worry about it now anyway, I took the motherboard out to try another one, and when I put the original back in, it wouldnt do anything at all. lol Thanks for trying, I'll figure out something else one day for that particular pc.

chris

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,