I'm having the EXACT same problem with my Dad's 4100. The only way I can get the thing to load windows is by booting with the Windows XP installation CD and then reinstalling Windows. But, when I turn the computer off and on again the same invalid boot diskette message comes up.
Things I have done/tried :
scanned for virus's
checked for spyware
ran chkdsk
changed the boot order in BIOS to all different combinations
flashed the BIOS w/ the latest firmware
Anyone know what's wrong and know how to fix it? Replacing the motherboard is not an acceptable answer. :-)
We tried EVERY troubleshooting technique on the phone with DELL. We even tried installing a new hard drive and reinstalling Windows ME. This is what worked for us:
1. Gave the tower a good clearing out of dust bunnies.
2. Disconnected the power from the source.
3. Put the old hard drive back in.
4. Disconnected and reconnected all cable ribbons ( I think the one that was important was the smaller, more narrow gray ribbon).
5. Cleared the NVRAM by moving the jumper to the two pins on the left then back to the two on the right. (Please search for specifics on this procedure. I don't remember when to turn the power off and on for this one).
6. Reinstalling Windows ME. (remember to change the date and time when you are up and running for your programs to operate properly)
7. Pray. Did I mention that IMMEDIATELY after my daughter ended our nighttime prayer with: "and Lord, please help our computer to be fixed," my husband yelled out the long awaited: "It's up and running again!"
I spoke too soon. This morning it's right back to the same Invalid Boot Diskette error message. btw, I tried replacing the CMOS battery and that didn't change anything. This is SO aggravating.
First try clearing the NVRAM and also clear the EVENT log in the BIOS Setup. The link here explains that Event Log for the 4100 model.
Secondly, if the problem continues I would try reseating the ribbon cable for the floppy drive and clear the Event log.
Thirdly, if the problem continued I would disconnect the floppy drive, clear the NVRAM, clear the Event log and see if the problem continued. This would indicate if the floppy drive was the problem or the problem was else where.
I don't get it, I just do not get it. All 4 of the diagnostic lights are lit green. I ran Dell Diagnostics (build 1087) and the computer passed every test. There were 0 (zero) errors. So, what do I try next?
Tried all 3 things and nothing works. I just keep getting the same Invalid Boot Diskette error message - even with the floopy drive cable unplugged.
Is the motherboard bad maybe?
Seeing as how there are over 200000 posts dating back to the year 2000 in the Dell forum for this same problem, I have to think all the 4100 have faulty motherboards. Has Dell admitted to this issue? Yeah I know, when h@ll freezes over.
The 4100 model has had it's share of problems and unfortunately there isn't just one correct answer to it. By disconnecting the floppy drive entirely rules it out as being the source of the problem. You might continue to look further and try disconnecting the other drives one at time and see if it resolves the problem. There could be another drive failing which is causing the boot problem, but the system is giving the wrong error message. Also it probably wouldn't hurt to spend $3 and try putting a new motherboard battery in the machine. Possibly the present battery is failing and the BIOS is losing some of it's settings.
Keep trying all the troubleshooting tip OVER and OVER again. My 4100 didn't respond for 5 days and finally....success by doing the same thing, perhaps in the right sequence. Clear the NVRAM, disconnect and reconnect all cable ribbons, pull out and re-insert hard drive, change the BIOS order, reinstall Windows...
ceri sheeran
2 Intern
•
1.7K Posts
0
September 27th, 2004 19:00
Hi,
Your hard disk may have gone to hard disk heaven.
A few things to do first.
What is the status of the four diagnostic lights on the rear of the computer.
Check the IDE ribbon cable connections and cables
Replace IDE cables
Clear NVRAM with motherboard jumper
Replace Motherboard battery
Check hard disk is set to auto in BIOS
BIOS upgrade
Download the file to create a bootable floppy Win 98 SE disk from Http://www.bootdisk.com. Run th edownloaded file to create the bootable floppy.
Change Boot order in BIOS and try booting from the bootable floppy disk
Post back.
hth
Ceri
ned215
5 Posts
0
October 4th, 2004 14:00
I'm having the EXACT same problem with my Dad's 4100. The only way I can get the thing to load windows is by booting with the Windows XP installation CD and then reinstalling Windows. But, when I turn the computer off and on again the same invalid boot diskette message comes up.
Things I have done/tried :
scanned for virus's
checked for spyware
ran chkdsk
changed the boot order in BIOS to all different combinations
flashed the BIOS w/ the latest firmware
Anyone know what's wrong and know how to fix it? Replacing the motherboard is not an acceptable answer. :-)
Message Edited by ned215 on 10-04-2004 11:36 AM
lgargiulo
3 Posts
0
October 4th, 2004 15:00
We tried EVERY troubleshooting technique on the phone with DELL. We even tried installing a new hard drive and reinstalling Windows ME. This is what worked for us:
1. Gave the tower a good clearing out of dust bunnies.
2. Disconnected the power from the source.
3. Put the old hard drive back in.
4. Disconnected and reconnected all cable ribbons ( I think the one that was important was the smaller, more narrow gray ribbon).
5. Cleared the NVRAM by moving the jumper to the two pins on the left then back to the two on the right. (Please search for specifics on this procedure. I don't remember when to turn the power off and on for this one).
6. Reinstalling Windows ME. (remember to change the date and time when you are up and running for your programs to operate properly)
7. Pray. Did I mention that IMMEDIATELY after my daughter ended our nighttime prayer with: "and Lord, please help our computer to be fixed," my husband yelled out the long awaited: "It's up and running again!"
Let me know how this works for you.
ned215
5 Posts
0
October 4th, 2004 18:00
ned215
5 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 09:00
Majestic
9.4K Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 12:00
Majestic
9.4K Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 14:00
Here are a couple of things I would do:
First try clearing the NVRAM and also clear the EVENT log in the BIOS Setup. The link here explains that Event Log for the 4100 model.
Secondly, if the problem continues I would try reseating the ribbon cable for the floppy drive and clear the Event log.
Thirdly, if the problem continued I would disconnect the floppy drive, clear the NVRAM, clear the Event log and see if the problem continued. This would indicate if the floppy drive was the problem or the problem was else where.
ned215
5 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 14:00
I don't get it, I just do not get it. All 4 of the diagnostic lights are lit green. I ran Dell Diagnostics (build 1087) and the computer passed every test. There were 0 (zero) errors. So, what do I try next?
ned215
5 Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 16:00
Tried all 3 things and nothing works. I just keep getting the same Invalid Boot Diskette error message - even with the floopy drive cable unplugged.
Is the motherboard bad maybe?
Seeing as how there are over 200000 posts dating back to the year 2000 in the Dell forum for this same problem, I have to think all the 4100 have faulty motherboards. Has Dell admitted to this issue? Yeah I know, when h@ll freezes over.
Message Edited by ned215 on 10-05-2004 01:36 PM
Majestic
9.4K Posts
0
October 5th, 2004 22:00
The 4100 model has had it's share of problems and unfortunately there isn't just one correct answer to it. By disconnecting the floppy drive entirely rules it out as being the source of the problem. You might continue to look further and try disconnecting the other drives one at time and see if it resolves the problem. There could be another drive failing which is causing the boot problem, but the system is giving the wrong error message. Also it probably wouldn't hurt to spend $3 and try putting a new motherboard battery in the machine. Possibly the present battery is failing and the BIOS is losing some of it's settings.
lgargiulo
3 Posts
0
October 6th, 2004 12:00
Keep trying all the troubleshooting tip OVER and OVER again. My 4100 didn't respond for 5 days and finally....success by doing the same thing, perhaps in the right sequence. Clear the NVRAM, disconnect and reconnect all cable ribbons, pull out and re-insert hard drive, change the BIOS order, reinstall Windows...