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Operating System Not Found

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Maureen B, 2006/06/07.

  1. 2006/06/07
    Maureen B

    Maureen B Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have a Gateway running Windows XP Home. I sucessfully started my computer this morning, and was in the process of checking my mail when my computer froze for 3-4 minutes. Cntrl-Alt-Del did nothing, so I panicked :eek: and shut down by depressing my power button until it shut down. When I restarted, I got the choice of starting in safe mode (which I chose) and it froze again. Then when I tried to shut down I had to do the same thing, and all I get on start up now is the black screen with "Operating System Not Found." Last run of Norton was three days ago, and all was fine. I am afraid I will have to re-install everything all over - can anyone tell me for sure? Any hints would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Maureen B,
    #1
  2. 2006/06/07
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Maureen B - Welcome to the Board :)

    This Microsoft article offers some possible explanations/solutions ....

    "Operating System Not Found" or "Missing operating system" error message when you start your Windows XP-based computer

    How you evaluate the situation depends very much on whether you have a full copy of XP or simply a Recovery CD.

    The first thing to do is check in the BIOS that the hard drive is recognised - if it is then you have the options as outlined in the article, but you will need a full copy of XP to run Recovery Console to fix the Master Boot Record - MBR.

    Please be aware that a Recovery CD will generally format the hard drive and restore it to the condition the computer was in when delivered - the format will wipe out all your data and any programs you have loaded.

    If you know the make and model of the hard drive then you can download the disk diagnostic software from the drive manufacturer and run it. If you do not have that detail it will be on the drive itself, but will necessitate you opening the case and possibly removing the drive to access the details.

    I would not want to alarm you, but the bottom line is that your hard drive may have failed.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2006/06/07
    Maureen B

    Maureen B Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Pete:

    Thank you for the words of welcome, and for your help. I suspect you are right about the hard drive (I have owned this PC for five or six years and my hard drive has crashed three times) - I guess I just wanted to prepare myself for the very time-consuming task of starting all over from scratch. I will check in the BIOS as you suggested, and as far as opening the case, I have done that before to install a new cd burner and increase my memory. I will try what you have suggested and if I have any further issues I shall return! Thank you again for your suggestions.
     
    Last edited: 2006/06/07
    Maureen B,
    #3

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