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Resolved Question

Installing an OS to a PC failing to read discs?

by Aug 28, 2011 3:51AM PDT

Hi,
As the question states, I am trying to find a way to install an operating system to a computer that does not seem to be able to read a boot disk anymore. The computer keeps giving the ''strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utilities'' message.

Discussion is locked

SundayTech has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
9 Posts
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Best Answer

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And Another Thought.... Failed CMOS Battery
by Forum moderator Aug 29, 2011 8:47AM PDT

Although a failed DVD/CD drive is the most popular choice here, the error you've listed "'strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utilities" is frequently the result of a failed CMOS battery.. If the battery fails, it frequently prevents the boot order from coming up right and could therefore cause the drive to fail to boot correctly..

Try replacing the $5.00 CMOS battery, then give it another shot.

How To Replace The CMOS Battery In Your PC(Procedures and Pictures)

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Thanks,
by SundayTech Aug 30, 2011 8:40AM PDT

Will definetly give it a shot if re-installing a fresh windows on the hard drive (from another computer) just won't work. Do you think this will cause some problems if the windows wasn't installed on the computer on which it is being used?

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Anything But A Standard Install Of Windows Could Have Issues
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Aug 30, 2011 10:03AM PDT

And since moving Windows from one machine to another won't allow the new machine's drivers and motherboard to be recognized correctly, it generally doesn't work as desired.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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That's what it looks like...
by SundayTech Aug 30, 2011 10:18PM PDT

But I am calling it a night on this thing. Wasted wayy too much time trying to get it back up and running. Now i'm just going to take out the ram and video card and slap them in a new machine...

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Answer
Usually cured by replacing the DVDRW drive.
by Forum moderator Aug 28, 2011 3:56AM PDT

Some have tried many other methods but the fix for this is pretty well known.
Bob

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Wiped the drive using a boot disk
by SundayTech Aug 28, 2011 6:33AM PDT

The thing is, I wiped the drive using a boot disk, so it's hard to believe it really is only the CD drive that's busted.

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(NT) Why?
by Kees_B Forum moderator Aug 28, 2011 6:35AM PDT
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It's a common failure.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 28, 2011 6:44AM PDT

My friends in repair shops make good money on this repair. There are some that want the drive fixes or ask why it works on some but not all media. That answer is costly.
Bob

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If you really don't want to ...
by Edward ODaniel Aug 28, 2011 11:54PM PDT

consider a dead optical drive why don't you try booting that same boot disk you wiped the drive with?

If it boots the drive is OK and the problem is with the media but if it doesn't it is time to replace a failed drive.

Either way, the dead horse isn't going to participate in any steeple chases. Wink

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