My problem started after I tried to reinstal Windows Media Centre. I purchased a legal copy several years ago and used it many times on the same computer with absolutely no problems until the newest instal when I was prompted to enter a valid registration key. Apparently Windows only allows a minimum of activations with the same key. I am not willing to purchase another key for a product I allready own and paid for two years ago. I format and reinstal often to ensure security and I always will. I was left with 30 days to activate Windows. Everything worked flawlessly just like every other instal except for an anoying pop up to activate Windows.
I was down to my last 5 days to activate when I decided to go back to Windows 98. That key has not expired. I put the disc in the drive, restarted pc and tried to boot from disc. For whatever reason it wouldn't boot from disc.
I went into system setup or bios to change the boot sequence. Nothing is present. No boot from hard drive, usb device, cd rom....nothing. There is absolutely no options in Boot Sequence. Everyting is clearly labeled "Not Present".
Baffled with this and thankful I didn't format the pc before trying to instal Win 98 I reinstalled Windows Media Centre 2002 with no problems, reinstalled the drivers etc like I would have every other time.
after restarting the PC I am now presented with a Drive 1 not present Sata drive error screen. Press F1 to continue and F2 to enter system setup. System setup or Bios still doesn't show any options under the boot sequence. Pressing F1 loads Windows just fine and I can use it as I normally would.
I have updated or flashed the Bios with an updated version called A07. I have also run the dell diagnostics test (ctrl, alt, del) when the Dell logo is present. The test says the HD is ok but the 2 dvd drives are not compatible for testing.
I thought maybe it was a [bleep] good virus I had picked up while trying to find a crack for Media Centre so I ran a virus and spyware check. Nothing found.
I am absolutely baffled with this. For years I could change the boot sequence from hard drive to cd or even usb device but now there not present?!?!?
I am not computer illeterate and have been able to reinstal various OS's, hard drives, cd and dvd roms, memory etc with no problem on several systems for myself and friends.
The only conclusion I can come up with is the Hard Drive and or motherboard and but it still doesn't make sense to me because I am using the problomatic system to type this and burn movies, trade stocks, buy on ebay and download many torrents.
Does anyone know whats wrong with my pc? Any help would be appreciated. The device manager shows all drivers are present and functional as well.
Thanks for your time. - Ward