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Bios doesn't see my drives

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Name: jdawg80
Date: June 13, 2003 at 16:09:10 Pacific
OS: XP
CPU/Ram: 128+256
Comment:

I'm trying to format my harddrive and reinstall windows XP.
So, I go to the bios setting by pressing F4 while booting, go to the "Boot" section and confirm that the cd-rom will be read first.
However, even with this setting and the installation cd inside, the computer automatically boots into pre-installed XP.
Someone told me to use floppy disks which I tried only to realize that my floppy disk drive is busted.
I believe I can get the computer to read my installation cd during boot-up by playing with the Bios. I have a DVD-ROM and a CD-RW, but the bios only sees an "ATAPI-CDROM" which I find a little bit suspicious. Is there something I should be doing?
Thanks!

Help would be immensely appreciated.



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Response Number 1
Name: eddie
Date: June 13, 2003 at 17:22:53 Pacific
Reply:

When you go into the Bios and change the first boot device to CD, do you save and exit correctly.
Some systems require you to,"Press any key", when booting to the CD.


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Response Number 2
Name: jdawg80
Date: June 14, 2003 at 10:46:48 Pacific
Reply:

Yes. I save correctly. I also don't get the "Press any key" prompt.
I have come to believe that it may be the
settings on my dvdrom and CDRW. I'm going to
set the jumper of the CDRW to "Master" and
see what happens.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.


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Response Number 3
Name: August Beza
Date: June 14, 2003 at 12:20:44 Pacific
Reply:

It appears your system is not first booting
on your cdrw or cdrom drive, but booting directly from your harddrive, even though you have in the bios set up the cdrw/cdrom as being the first device to boot from. An original windows XP install cd should boot without any problem, it is possible your motherboard might be of an older type preventing booting from the XP install cd; what is the name and model number of your motherboard?. Have you been able to use the cdrw/cdrom to perform normally in the past?. In the event you have to go the route of the six floppies to get XP OS installed, replace the defective floppy dive, it does not cost more than $15 to replace.Is your harddrive connected to the IDE1 connector and your cdrw/cdrom connected to the IDE2 connector, or is your harddrive connected to a IDE connector supporting ATA66/100?
abeza


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Response Number 4
Name: jam
Date: June 14, 2003 at 13:56:11 Pacific
Reply:

change ALL your boot devices to CD, that way you can't miss, then change it back later....


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