Startup error preventing computer use: boot disk?

Question

Occasionally, whenever we start up our computer, we get a message against a black screen (after the dell.com blue image has dissapeared) saying something like, invalid disk in drive A, and something about a boot disk. What is the problem,a nd how can it be fixed?

Also, sometimes when we shut down our computer, it stays on, with a little flashing dash thing against a black screen. Why?

blackjck · Answer

Remove the floppy disc out of the drive....

perplexed · Answer

When you leave a floppy disk in your player. The next time you boot, (start), the computer looks first at the floppy drive to get instructions. When there aren't any, the computer gives you a message on a black screen that you should remove the disk, do it, press any key and your computer will then boot from its internal instructions. Sometimes when windows doen't work, you can boot from a floppy. Dell may have sent you one, or you can make one by pressing start, settings, control panel Add/subtract programs, and follow the instructions after clicking startup tab. Your computer is supposed to do this.
photo by Lawrence

LawrenceH

mr_janitor · Answer

there is no floppy disk in the drive

perplexed · Answer

You need to udate your BIOS from the Dell Web Site. LawrenceH

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Startup error preventing computer use: boot disk?

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