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Can't boot up computer - "Reboot & select proper boot device.."

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Anonymous   09-18-2009 at 05:28:01 PM

I am having trouble starting my computer -- an HP Pavilion desktop, about 5 years old (Windows XP sp 3). I had just bought a new laptop, & after transferring all my files, I left my HP Pavilion unused & near my desk for about 2 weeks. I decided to set it up again. The last time I used it, to copy files, it worked perfectly.

Because I was using the monitor I'd used with the Pavilion for my new laptop, I dug out an older flat screen monitor we hadn't used for several years, plugged it into the Pavilion and turned on the power. It seemed to start normally, but then hung on the windows logo for a long time, then turned to black. That was the last time I saw the windows logo.

I have tried at least 15 times to get it started in a variety of ways, but each time, after the HP screen, it goes to black and then eventually says"Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key." I have tried going to the selection screen (F8) but can't get there. Nor can I get to the Recovery Console. I have tried booting from my Recovery CD, but I still get the same message. I have tried going to the startup BIOS page and changing the boot sequence to HDD, but this doesn't seem to make a difference.

I have an old diagnostic program (re: admin passwords) that boots up on a floppy, and the Pavilion WILL boot to this program from the floppy, but that's it. I don't have a floppy with a Windows OS however. Is there such a thing? Can I make one? And did I fry the HD with the old monitor? Is there some secret code I need to input to make the computer boot up?

HELP Please!!! Thank you.

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festerovic   09-18-2009 at 08:26:20 PM
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You might be able to select the boot device with F8, its typical for selecting drives at BIOS start time. You usually press it as the BIOS info is on screen. Sometimes it's F11 or F12. This let's you select the drive out of a list of devices to boot with.

As for the screen going black, you might need to go into windows (assuming you can get it running again) in safe mode, then uninstall the graphics drivers. Then when windows boots in normal mode, you can resinstall them. The problem is that the computer thinks the combination of resolution and refresh rate are from the old monitor. If the other monitor is still handy, you could plug that in, then switch the resolution to something you know is compatible between the both of them.

Hope that is clear.

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xaira   09-18-2009 at 09:41:41 PM
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go intoo the bios look for boot menu and select hdd0

------------------------------ "Envy is ignorance" - Henry Thoreau : Best quote ever.

http://www.pingtest.net/result/3022953.png
 Reply to xaira
Anonymous   09-18-2009 at 09:53:57 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for your suggestions but still need help.
AFter the crash I have gone back to my original monitor, but still get the black screen.
I can get into BIOS, but though I select HDD as the boot device, it still doesn't boot from the hard drive.

What does this mean? I appreciate your thoughts.

Reply to Anonymous
festerovic   09-18-2009 at 09:56:25 PM
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Without actually going into the BIOS, you need to trigger the mode that lets you select a different boot device. Like I mentioned, F8 usually does this. Try it and see if you get a different boot menu.

Reply to festerovic
Anonymous   09-19-2009 at 01:16:31 AM
- 0 +

I have tried going to the selection screen (F8) but can't get there. I can't seem to do anything!!

Reply to Anonymous
xaira   09-19-2009 at 12:01:23 PM
- 0 +

does the bios detect all ur installed drives?

------------------------------ "Envy is ignorance" - Henry Thoreau : Best quote ever.

http://www.pingtest.net/result/3022953.png
 Reply to xaira
swifty_morgan   09-19-2009 at 02:41:38 PM
- 0 +

It's been a while but I think cntl/f1 or shift/f1 or tab/f1 or tilde/f1 will work. You gotta mess with it for a while. just try combinations with f1. Good Luck.

Reply to swifty_morgan
Anonymous   09-19-2009 at 03:04:40 PM
- 0 +

Yes, BIOS detects all the drives.

Reply to Anonymous
xaira   09-19-2009 at 05:18:36 PM
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i know this sounds very untechnical but, dig up nah.

------------------------------ "Envy is ignorance" - Henry Thoreau : Best quote ever.

http://www.pingtest.net/result/3022953.png
 Reply to xaira
xaira   09-19-2009 at 05:19:17 PM
- 0 +

have you tested to make sure the hdd is not currupted

------------------------------ "Envy is ignorance" - Henry Thoreau : Best quote ever.

http://www.pingtest.net/result/3022953.png
 Reply to xaira
swifty_morgan   09-19-2009 at 05:19:37 PM
- 0 +

Is your HD the first boot device ? If it isn't, make it so. HD/DVD/Floppy if you have one. If not disable it......and disable it under the DAY/DATE where it's listed. . and did you check to make sure all your cables are pushed in all the way ?

OR

Now that you're in the bios can you set the DVD to be first boot device and put your opsys/repair disc in and do a repair ?

Reply to swifty_morgan
Gordon g   09-25-2009 at 08:09:47 PM
- 0 +

Had the same problem reboot came up what I did was open the bottom square compartment underneth take harddrive out and put back in

Reply to Gordon g
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