Millenium Start Up problem

[kk]

When I try to start up my computer, I get the Dell Logo but after that all I
get is the message 'Invalid system disk replace the disk and then press any
key. I'm not able to start the computer in the 'Safe' mode or restore it.
I've put in the ME Operating CD but that hasn't done any good. There's no
CDs in either drive and the floppy drive is empty as well. Does anybody know
how to start the computer up? I could really use the help.

thanks.
--
kk

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Get whatever utility Dell recommends that runs from a floppy boot, and test
the hard drive. What make/model Dell is it?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"kk" <knutts.com> wrote in message
news:23264089-8571-44D0-A552-CCF97001A834@microsoft.com...
> When I try to start up my computer, I get the Dell Logo but after that all
> I
> get is the message 'Invalid system disk replace the disk and then press
> any
> key. I'm not able to start the computer in the 'Safe' mode or restore it.
> I've put in the ME Operating CD but that hasn't done any good. There's no
> CDs in either drive and the floppy drive is empty as well. Does anybody
> know
> how to start the computer up? I could really use the help.
>
> thanks.
> --
> kk

 

[webster72n]

Is it possible, Gary, that the boot device sequence in the BIOS may have to
be altered, if the OP, aka 'kk', can get to it? (Just a thought...)

Harry.


"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
news:OAt0Ry44HHA.5424@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Get whatever utility Dell recommends that runs from a floppy boot, and
test
> the hard drive. What make/model Dell is it?
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
> "kk" <knutts.com> wrote in message
> news:23264089-8571-44D0-A552-CCF97001A834@microsoft.com...
> > When I try to start up my computer, I get the Dell Logo but after that
all
> > I
> > get is the message 'Invalid system disk replace the disk and then press
> > any
> > key. I'm not able to start the computer in the 'Safe' mode or restore
it.
> > I've put in the ME Operating CD but that hasn't done any good. There's
no
> > CDs in either drive and the floppy drive is empty as well. Does anybody
> > know
> > how to start the computer up? I could really use the help.
> >
> > thanks.
> > --
> > kk
>
>

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Maybe, but it would mean that the HD isn't in the list at all. Not typical.
Worth checking, but without being sure of what model, we're flying blind. I
usually have a Dell lying around somewhere, but not today. Even so, I
wouldn't know for certain if its BIOS matched the OP's. Best I can do is
locate the right tools and manuals.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"webster72n" <webster72n@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eQ8oaH54HHA.5804@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Is it possible, Gary, that the boot device sequence in the BIOS may have
> to
> be altered, if the OP, aka 'kk', can get to it? (Just a thought...)
>
> Harry.
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
> news:OAt0Ry44HHA.5424@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Get whatever utility Dell recommends that runs from a floppy boot, and
> test
>> the hard drive. What make/model Dell is it?
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> www.grystmill.com
>>
>> "kk" <knutts.com> wrote in message
>> news:23264089-8571-44D0-A552-CCF97001A834@microsoft.com...
>> > When I try to start up my computer, I get the Dell Logo but after that
> all
>> > I
>> > get is the message 'Invalid system disk replace the disk and then press
>> > any
>> > key. I'm not able to start the computer in the 'Safe' mode or restore
> it.
>> > I've put in the ME Operating CD but that hasn't done any good. There's
> no
>> > CDs in either drive and the floppy drive is empty as well. Does
>> > anybody
>> > know
>> > how to start the computer up? I could really use the help.
>> >
>> > thanks.
>> > --
>> > kk
>>
>>
>
>

 

[webster72n]

Let's hope kk reads this...thanks, Gary. <H>.


"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
news:e5Obsf54HHA.3900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Maybe, but it would mean that the HD isn't in the list at all. Not
typical.
> Worth checking, but without being sure of what model, we're flying blind.
I
> usually have a Dell lying around somewhere, but not today. Even so, I
> wouldn't know for certain if its BIOS matched the OP's. Best I can do is
> locate the right tools and manuals.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
> "webster72n" <webster72n@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:eQ8oaH54HHA.5804@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> > Is it possible, Gary, that the boot device sequence in the BIOS may have
> > to
> > be altered, if the OP, aka 'kk', can get to it? (Just a thought...)
> >
> > Harry.
> >
> >
> > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
> > news:OAt0Ry44HHA.5424@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> >> Get whatever utility Dell recommends that runs from a floppy boot, and
> > test
> >> the hard drive. What make/model Dell is it?
> >>
> >> --
> >> Gary S. Terhune
> >> MS-MVP Shell/User
> >> www.grystmill.com
> >>
> >> "kk" <knutts.com> wrote in message
> >> news:23264089-8571-44D0-A552-CCF97001A834@microsoft.com...
> >> > When I try to start up my computer, I get the Dell Logo but after
that
> > all
> >> > I
> >> > get is the message 'Invalid system disk replace the disk and then
press
> >> > any
> >> > key. I'm not able to start the computer in the 'Safe' mode or
restore
> > it.
> >> > I've put in the ME Operating CD but that hasn't done any good.
There's
> > no
> >> > CDs in either drive and the floppy drive is empty as well. Does
> >> > anybody
> >> > know
> >> > how to start the computer up? I could really use the help.
> >> >
> >> > thanks.
> >> > --
> >> > kk
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Chances aren't too good... kk is using the web interface, yuck!

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"webster72n" <webster72n@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:uoCerw54HHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Let's hope kk reads this...thanks, Gary. <H>.
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
> news:e5Obsf54HHA.3900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Maybe, but it would mean that the HD isn't in the list at all. Not
> typical.
>> Worth checking, but without being sure of what model, we're flying blind.
> I
>> usually have a Dell lying around somewhere, but not today. Even so, I
>> wouldn't know for certain if its BIOS matched the OP's. Best I can do is
>> locate the right tools and manuals.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> www.grystmill.com
>>
>> "webster72n" <webster72n@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:eQ8oaH54HHA.5804@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> > Is it possible, Gary, that the boot device sequence in the BIOS may
>> > have
>> > to
>> > be altered, if the OP, aka 'kk', can get to it? (Just a thought...)
>> >
>> > Harry.
>> >
>> >
>> > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
>> > news:OAt0Ry44HHA.5424@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> >> Get whatever utility Dell recommends that runs from a floppy boot, and
>> > test
>> >> the hard drive. What make/model Dell is it?
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Gary S. Terhune
>> >> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> >> www.grystmill.com
>> >>
>> >> "kk" <knutts.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:23264089-8571-44D0-A552-CCF97001A834@microsoft.com...
>> >> > When I try to start up my computer, I get the Dell Logo but after
> that
>> > all
>> >> > I
>> >> > get is the message 'Invalid system disk replace the disk and then
> press
>> >> > any
>> >> > key. I'm not able to start the computer in the 'Safe' mode or
> restore
>> > it.
>> >> > I've put in the ME Operating CD but that hasn't done any good.
> There's
>> > no
>> >> > CDs in either drive and the floppy drive is empty as well. Does
>> >> > anybody
>> >> > know
>> >> > how to start the computer up? I could really use the help.
>> >> >
>> >> > thanks.
>> >> > --
>> >> > kk
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

 

[kk]

It's a Dell Dimension 8200
--
kk


"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> Chances aren't too good... kk is using the web interface, yuck!
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
> "webster72n" <webster72n@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:uoCerw54HHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> > Let's hope kk reads this...thanks, Gary. <H>.
> >
> >
> > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
> > news:e5Obsf54HHA.3900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> >> Maybe, but it would mean that the HD isn't in the list at all. Not
> > typical.
> >> Worth checking, but without being sure of what model, we're flying blind.
> > I
> >> usually have a Dell lying around somewhere, but not today. Even so, I
> >> wouldn't know for certain if its BIOS matched the OP's. Best I can do is
> >> locate the right tools and manuals.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Gary S. Terhune
> >> MS-MVP Shell/User
> >> www.grystmill.com
> >>
> >> "webster72n" <webster72n@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:eQ8oaH54HHA.5804@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> >> > Is it possible, Gary, that the boot device sequence in the BIOS may
> >> > have
> >> > to
> >> > be altered, if the OP, aka 'kk', can get to it? (Just a thought...)
> >> >
> >> > Harry.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
> >> > news:OAt0Ry44HHA.5424@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> >> >> Get whatever utility Dell recommends that runs from a floppy boot, and
> >> > test
> >> >> the hard drive. What make/model Dell is it?
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Gary S. Terhune
> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User
> >> >> www.grystmill.com
> >> >>
> >> >> "kk" <knutts.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:23264089-8571-44D0-A552-CCF97001A834@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > When I try to start up my computer, I get the Dell Logo but after
> > that
> >> > all
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > get is the message 'Invalid system disk replace the disk and then
> > press
> >> >> > any
> >> >> > key. I'm not able to start the computer in the 'Safe' mode or
> > restore
> >> > it.
> >> >> > I've put in the ME Operating CD but that hasn't done any good.
> > There's
> >> > no
> >> >> > CDs in either drive and the floppy drive is empty as well. Does
> >> >> > anybody
> >> >> > know
> >> >> > how to start the computer up? I could really use the help.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > thanks.
> >> >> > --
> >> >> > kk
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
>

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Download this (it's a tiny translation of a very long Dell URL.)
http://tinyurl.com/2srtma

You want the first one, the one for DOS. You need to download the executable
to a good computer, then make a bootable set of floppy disks. You then boot
to that first floppy and follow directions. I'm presuming that hard drive
test is part of the suite.

Now, assuming the HD shows as bad, there's one thing you have to do to prove
it really is the HD gone bad -- open the case and pull the plugs from the HD
then plug them back in, in case there's a loose connection. Do the same for
the motherboard side of the ribbon or SATA cable (I don't know which it has,
probably a ribbon cable.) Make sure you grab hold of the metal frame of the
machine before touching any parts, to prevent static discharge from you to
the parts. Then test again. Post back with the results.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"kk" <knutts.com> wrote in message
news:F8236D5F-D9A7-4437-BC68-89CA0737FCC0@microsoft.com...
> It's a Dell Dimension 8200
> --
> kk
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:
>
>> Chances aren't too good... kk is using the web interface, yuck!
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> www.grystmill.com
>>
>> "webster72n" <webster72n@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:uoCerw54HHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> > Let's hope kk reads this...thanks, Gary. <H>.
>> >
>> >
>> > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
>> > news:e5Obsf54HHA.3900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> >> Maybe, but it would mean that the HD isn't in the list at all. Not
>> > typical.
>> >> Worth checking, but without being sure of what model, we're flying
>> >> blind.
>> > I
>> >> usually have a Dell lying around somewhere, but not today. Even so, I
>> >> wouldn't know for certain if its BIOS matched the OP's. Best I can do
>> >> is
>> >> locate the right tools and manuals.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Gary S. Terhune
>> >> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> >> www.grystmill.com
>> >>
>> >> "webster72n" <webster72n@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:eQ8oaH54HHA.5804@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> >> > Is it possible, Gary, that the boot device sequence in the BIOS may
>> >> > have
>> >> > to
>> >> > be altered, if the OP, aka 'kk', can get to it? (Just a thought...)
>> >> >
>> >> > Harry.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
>> >> > news:OAt0Ry44HHA.5424@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> >> >> Get whatever utility Dell recommends that runs from a floppy boot,
>> >> >> and
>> >> > test
>> >> >> the hard drive. What make/model Dell is it?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Gary S. Terhune
>> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> >> >> www.grystmill.com
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "kk" <knutts.com> wrote in message
>> >> >> news:23264089-8571-44D0-A552-CCF97001A834@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > When I try to start up my computer, I get the Dell Logo but after
>> > that
>> >> > all
>> >> >> > I
>> >> >> > get is the message 'Invalid system disk replace the disk and then
>> > press
>> >> >> > any
>> >> >> > key. I'm not able to start the computer in the 'Safe' mode or
>> > restore
>> >> > it.
>> >> >> > I've put in the ME Operating CD but that hasn't done any good.
>> > There's
>> >> > no
>> >> >> > CDs in either drive and the floppy drive is empty as well. Does
>> >> >> > anybody
>> >> >> > know
>> >> >> > how to start the computer up? I could really use the help.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > thanks.
>> >> >> > --
>> >> >> > kk
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>