Not sure if this is thwe right forum, im hoping its a software issue but its possibly a hardware issue. I have a HP Compaq Laptop thats sometimes having trouble booting. Usually if i completely turn the Laptop off when i turn it back on again i get an error that says 1782 - Disk Controller Error then Invalid System Disk Replace and try again or something to that affect. At first i thought it was the hard drive so i ran tests on it and they showed no problems, i then flashed the bios, still no luck. I then reinstalled the drivers for both IDE channels, still no luck. I have also performed checkdisks and a repair install with no luck. The strange thing is if i go into the bios then exit with or without making any changes the computer boots first time. If the computer is on and in windows and i simply restart (not turn off) the computer boots fine. I have also noticed that if i set the bios to multi boot (displays a text based menu for the user to select boot device) it boots perfectly. Does anyone have any ideas?

Replace the CMOS battery. Sounds like it is on its last legs. Where you will find it I have no idea but the manual should give you a clue. BTW: Flashing the BIOS is a last resort solution when all else has failed and is normally only done to solve a specific problem that has been highlighted by the manufactures. Flashing the BIOS is not a routine trouble shooting procedure. Stuart

Thanks for your reply. I will try that today when i get a chance. I did think about this but then i didn't think this would be a problem as the laptop was purchased less than a year ago. CMOS batteries normally last a lot longer than than?

Assuming your laptop keeps its settings otherwise, it's probably not the battery. It sounds like a heat related issue. Specifically, something needs to warm up before it works. I'd try removing and reinserting the HDD. (Just remember to remove the battery and AC power first!)

Ok funnily enough when i turned the laptop on this morning just out of interest it booted up first time. I tried turning it off completely (at mains as well) then turned everything back on and it worked again. I have now turned the laptop off then on 10+ times and it has booted fine everytime. Strange. Still not convinced the problem is gone yet though. Have reseated the HDD as you said and it is still working fine.

I have seen this, and it was because the hard drive was slow getting up to speed and ready. You can try changing the boot sequence so that the Floppy (if you have one) and the optical drive are ahead of the hard drive. Another trick is turning off 'fast start', so the bios will check the memory before booting.

From my 24+ years of experience working on computers, it sounds like the BIOS battery. It is not heat related because when it was cooled off you had the problem, not when it has been on. Compaq's was one of the best for Support info, too bad HP screwed it up. You can still search their website and probably find the answer.