missing operating system error

Question

The other day my I turned on my new (2weekold) computer and it said 'missing operating system' in a DOS screen. Obviously I resolved the problem but has anyone out ever had this happen to them before? That morning before I turnrned it on I heard a loud bang like a car smacking into the house or a large tree or something. I never found out what that was. Do you think maybe my poor computer was knocked around enough by that to lose the operating system? that is my theory. Any ideas or experience would be interesting to me thanks!  Lori

gwarr · Answer

Do you have a power surge bar?  Perhaps the computer received an extra surge of electricity frying some data.

loriblack07 · Answer

yes i do have a  power surge bar.

Mary G · Answer

Time to contact Dell support! Use Chat if you're in US. And buy a battery backup/surge protector UPS instead of a cheap surge protector. Remove the bar and plug computer straight into an outlet--a diff outlet--and reboot to see if the surge protector is bad.

Message Edited by Mary G on 02-18-2007 04:35 PM

highcroftpete · Answer

I received the same error message on the 2nd day of using my new computer. I contacted Dell support yesterday and they told me that it is a known issue and were looking into how to fix it. So far no reply... I have just sent them an e-mail for an update. As I am new to Windows (15 years wit Macs) how do I correct it?..... you said you obviously fixed it. You help would be greatly appreciated.

loriblack07 · Answer

I guess it was not a power surge or the bang even because someone else in this thread has said they also had the same problem.  lori

loriblack07 · Answer

Have you fixed it yet? if not then just put in the back up vista operating system cd into the disk drive and follow the instructions to 'repair'. I can't remember the exact steps but i called dell customer service and they walked me through it. it was real quick. please let me know how you make out. I sincerely hope i can help you further if you need it. i.e. customer service number  good luck!   lori

highcroftpete · Answer

Managed to re-install Vista and everything worked fine but after turning it off for a few hours it went again. Talked to Dell Tech and they are working on it and will hopefully have an answer in the near future. Have now reloaded Vista but have lost all the programes and data I had loaded. The moral of the story us never buy a new operating system when it is just out ... the same happened with XP.

Windows General

missing operating system error

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