Computer will only boot from CD

I used my computer to format new hard drive to be used as an external drive.
Since returning the machine back to the original setup it will only boot from the XP cd.
Any ideas??

It's XP Home with SP2.

The external HD works fine

Thanks

 

What was the original setup (eg SATA or PATA drive)?

What error if any do you get when trying to boot from the original setup?

Not a good thought but is it possible you formatted the original drive rather than the external one?

 

Thanks for getting back.

It's an IDE drive and no when it does boot, everything that was there is still there and works just fine.
Error says "System disk failure, insert system disk and press enter ". tried to do that but the computer fails to respond to the keyboard?
I've tried System Restore to no avail.
One other thing is I can't get into the Bios setup when restarting even with a pS2 keyboard??
Looks like I'll need to leave that XP cd in the drive forever

 

So the original drive is ok then.

Possibly a floppy drive failure? Do you have a floppy drive and if so is there a disk in there?

That is worrying, do you know how to reset your CMOS, if not post details of your motherboard.

 

Original drive is AOK

There is a floppy but no disk in it and never used these days.

No idea about cmos

Motherboard
Asus A8N-E
BIOS is Phoenix Award Bios v6.00pg

AMD cpu 2200
Ram 2GB

Everything was fine until I formatted the external drive.

Another thought?? If I have to do a clean install, how can I get into the setup without a keyboard that works at bootup?

With the disk in the cd drive the computer just fires up with no error messages.

 

That's my main concern, give me a while to look for your motherboard manual, if your using a PS2 keyboard then you should be able to access the BIOS.

I'll get back in 30 mins or so...

 

OK i now have the keyboard working OK and can access the BIOS [still had the wireless board installed! Doh!!]. Changed the start sequence to HD first and CD next, but no joy!! Still shows the same message without the cd in place.
However I can now access the cd should I need to reformat etc. Also can get to the repair command on the setup disk.

 

Rather than describe blindly here's a link to your motherboard manual...

http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=A8N-E

Download the bottom file A8N-E English edition user's manual, version E1911
and follow the instructions on page 1-21 to clear your CMOS, let us know how you get on

 

No need to reformat, boot with the CD and try a repair.

 

Unable to get a download??

I'll try the repair option in the morning, it's way passed my bedtime now!!

Thanks again for the help I get back tomorrow.
Colin

 

Well the repair option really was just an option!! Still the same problem.
I've noticed that I have no "boot" file in the "C" drive window?
Could this be the problem?
I have a "boot" file in "C" on my laptop?

 

In the BIOS what and where (e.g. primary master etc) are all your drives (optical and HD's) being detected as?