[belfast1888]

Hello I have a dell dimension 3100c. The computer keeps booting then stops at "safe mode , last known good config etc". screen. No matter what selection I make, it reboots to the same position. I decided that I should replace the harddrive, the old one was a samsung 80GB, the new one hitachi 120GB sata. I replaced the drive ok but now I get a message "No bootable device F1 or F2" I dont know what to do now, can anyone please help im really frustrated.

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Did you set the BIOS to boot from CDROM? So you could then put the Installation Disc that came with the computer into the CDROM and boot from that? Next, you need to repair or reinstall your Operating System.

All of your files, photos, and/or videos are on the old drive and you will probably have to contact a local computer specialist to recover those files if you so wish. However, you may just need to do this with your existing drive, that is, repair or reinstall your Operating System, i.e. Windows XP, or Vista, by using the same advice above.

Here is a link for repair... http://www.geekstogo...ws-XP-t138.html

Installing XP on the new drive(if this doesn't work) is pretty straight forward. Boot from the CD, follow the instructions. Link... http://www.blackvipe...stallxppro1.htm

[Ferrari]

Did you set the BIOS to boot from CDROM? So you could then put the Installation Disc that came with the computer into the CDROM and boot from that? Next, you need to repair or reinstall your Operating System.

All of your files, photos, and/or videos are on the old drive and you will probably have to contact a local computer specialist to recover those files if you so wish. However, you may just need to do this with your existing drive, that is, repair or reinstall your Operating System, i.e. Windows XP, or Vista, by using the same advice above.

Here is a link for repair... http://www.geekstogo...ws-XP-t138.html

Installing XP on the new drive(if this doesn't work) is pretty straight forward. Boot from the CD, follow the instructions. Link... http://www.blackvipe...stallxppro1.htm

[rshaffer61]

You can always slave the old drive to the new drive and copy your data files over to the new drive.

F1 and F2... what are the corresponding messages for these two choices?
F1 setup and F2 for continue?
That may help us to determine the next steps.
You will need to set the boot sequence in the bios to boot to the cdrom first to do the fresh install as Ferrari stated above.

[rshaffer61]

Since the system will not bootup correctly let's try a few steps to test some hardware.


How To Run Chkdsk /r from Recovery Console:


How to run checkdisk from recovery console (Windows xp). (Courtesy dsenette)

• Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.
  Note:Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do so.
• When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
  Note:If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console.
• When you are prompted to do so, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
• At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following then press Enter:
  

  chkdsk /r

• Allow this to run UNDISTURBED until completed (45 min or so)
• Report any errors

Let's check your memory and make sure there is no issue with it. Download memtest86 from the link in my signature below.


Get the file that is named Download - The one you want is "Download - Pre-compiled Bootable ISO (.zip). When it downloads, it will be labeled memtest86+2.11.iso.zip
Unzip the file once you download it. You should have a .iso file in the unzipped directory. It will look like a zip file in some cases but the file name will now be memtest86+2.11.iso

if you don't have a burning program that will burn .ISO files get burncdcc in my signature below.

NOTE...do not put a blank cd in until burncdcc opens the tray for you
1. Start BurnCDCC
2. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd ....in this case its memtest86.iso
3. Select the ISO file
4. click on Start

Make sure the bios is set for the cd drive as the first boot device
Put the cd in the cd drive and then boot your computer.

Running the Diagnostic Program:

The basic diagnostic screen has five main sections of relevant information. Three at the top which are labeled, PASS %, TEST %, and TEST #. This will basically show you the total progress of the current test, the overall progress of the diagnostic test, and the test number is currently performing.

On the middle left hand side of the of the program interface there is a “Wall Time” section that will keep track of how long the diagnostic test has been running for. This just gives you an idea if you are not attending the testing process.

The main section to look for is the lower half of the screen which is usually blank. As long as the memory testing is going ok with no errors this section of the screen should remain blank. If the diagnostic program finds any serious faults in the memory you will see it display a memory dump of address’s in this section. This is similar to what is displayed on your screen when you encounter a blue screen of death.

You now have most everything you need to know about setting up and testing your memory with diagnostic programs. This guide should help you get to the source of any intermittent problems related to your memory.


Run memtest for at least 2 hours
If it starts showing any errors during that time then you will have to replace the memory
If there are no errors after 2 hours press Esc and that will end the tests
We will then try other options

[rshaffer61]

Are you still having problems with your issue?
It has been 5 days since your last response and I was wondering if the issue has been resolved?
If so can you explain how it was resolved so others may be able to fix it if they have the same issue.
If not please let us know and we can continue with helping you to resolve the issue.