computer trouble.

[marg.]

hi,when i switch my computer on i get this message, REBOOT AND SELECT PROPER BOOT DEVICE, OR INSERT BOOT MEDIA IN SELECTED BOOT DEVICE AND PRESS ANY KEY, i,ve no idea why this has happened ,and i,ve no idea what to do next, any advice please. marg.

[entwisi]

Make sure you haven't left any CD's /floppies/usb memory sticks etc in whilst booting the PC.

If it continues it could mean your hard disk has become corrupted. There is a small bit on teh HD that tells teh computer how to startup windows, if this is broken you will get this message. It is fixable as long as teh HD itself isn't broken.

Do you have any data (Pictures/documents) on the PC that you need to get off? If you do let me know, as long as the disk spins up there is a 90% chance I can get it off. Be wary of letting people re-install windows as you can lose everything if they aren't very careful.

[marg.]

hi, the computer has been ok, but when this message came on i did notice there had been a floppy disc in but it must have been in a while but still computer ran ok till last night when the message came on, thats when noticed the floppy disc in, will that have done the damage?,marg

[entwisi]

If by taking it out you are working OK then there is no damage, its just that your PC was looking in teh wrong place for the startup issue. It could mean that teh CMOS battery on teh motherboard is ready for replacement and its dropping back to default values which puts the floppy disk as teh first boot device. You may start noticing that the date/time becomes wrong. If it does then its definately teh battery that needs changing. its usually a CR2025 (~£2 from asda/tesco) and is dead easy to change

[marg.]

thanks, ian will get a battery and try that, thanks once again. marg.

[entwisi]

Make suer its teh right number, its one of those 1/2 " silver 'watch style' batteries fixed to the motherboard. YOu should make a not of al setting before removing it in case it loses them all