I started up my computer and the first thing it says is IDE #0 error. Then goes to start windows, but goes to the toshiba recovery utilities screen. I do F1 to continue and it says Getting CMOS? or something like that, but then restarts and starts the whole cycle over again. So if I put in the startup disk, the same thing happens, but then it gives me a FAT32 error about partitioning (which I don't have) then takes me back to the a:\ prompt. It won't even let me use the format/recover cd to reformat the hard drive. What can I do to fix this, or am I up the creek and have to buy a new hard drive?

Go into cmos and make sure the HD is properly identified--usually as AUTO. When you say you get a '. . . FAT32 error about partitioning (which I don't have). . .' what is it exactly that you don't have?

Press F1 to continue message . Press F1 to continue, DEL to enter setup" it's likely that your CMOS is corrupt. When you see that message, go into CMOS (press DEL) and then hit F10 to save and exit and unless your battery is weak, you should not see that again. You don't have to change anything - go into it and save and exit. That's all there is to it. More here . Prompt to press F1/F2 each time computer boots: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000301.htm

RE: response #1 I haven't partitioned any drives, and when I do fdisk it says no fixed drives found, then takes me back to a:\ prompt

RE: response 2 How will I know if my battery is bad/dead?

Most obvious symptom of a dead motherboard battery is losing bios settings and clock inaccurate. If your computer is more than about 5 years old, that's probably the problem.

Fdisk isn't finding any drives. This means one of the following: The drive isn't configured correctly in cmos. The IDE controllers aren't enabled in cmos. The drive isn't connected or jumpered properly. The drive is bad. As dave01 said, a bad battery can cause lost cmos settings. You need to go into cmos and check the settings and the date.