Windows Boot Problem

[bevmart]

Hi,

I have a HP xw4600 workstation 500Gb (Sata). Several months ago I wanted to upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. I installed Windows 7 Ultimate by doing a fresh install after formatting the Hard Drive.

I have also added an additional 1T Hard Drive (Sata) for additional Storage.

The computer worked fine for a while. Then suddenly when booting up I get the following error message:

Non-System Disc or disc error, replace and strike key when ready.

I have tried to set factory defaults in bios but this does not work. The funny thing is, if I keep switching off the power and trying again, eventually it does boot up, sometime on the 3^rd or 4^th attempt other times it can take 15 attempts.

Obviously very frustrating, Can you help please.

[Jelly Bean]

Just a thought.Are you trying to boot up while the external hard drive is connected?

 

Disconnect the external and try again.

 

You need to set the boot priority in BIOS to your main hard drive and turn off or put boot from USB last in the que.

 

JB.

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS :)

 

As J-B says - remove external drive and give this a try.

 

Also .....

if I keep switching off the power and trying again, eventually it does boot up, sometime on the 3^rd or 4^th attempt other times it can take 15 attempts.

I have seen this with a problem PSU.

[bevmart]

Thanks Jb and KenB,

 

The additional HD has been installed internally, but I am unsure how to verify it through windows 7, thought it done it auto, unlike XP when you have to physically do it.

 

Although I did remove it for a short while and the problem was still happening.

 

Will have to consider the PSU, perhaps I might Purchase a spare and try it out.

 

Martin

[KenB]

You can have them tested.

 

Try phoning a local tech and ask about cost etc.

As you suggest though - they are cheap enough and a spare is always useful.

[bevmart]

Thanks KenB,

 

I think my local store sells a PSU for about 15 quid, so I will buy one anyway and see if that resolves my problem, due to work commitments it wont be until Wednesday, but I will submit a reply, so you know either way.

 

Many thanks for your help

Martin

[KenB]

Hi Martin

 

Some desktops use non-standard PSUs.

 

It may be prudent to take yours out first and take it with you.

If the Wattage is more on the new one this doesn't matter and if it is a little less - you would probably get away with this too :)

[Jelly Bean]

Is the main drive being shown as C drive or another? Edited June 18, 2012 by Starbuck

[bevmart]

It was the HD but now I have a further Problem

 

Hi, Sorry for the delay in replying. I have replaced Bty, CPU and have now narrowed my problem down to the HD.

 

So My new problem is: Windows 7 will not load onto this disc as it has not been partitioned and initialized, but I cannot partition and initialize without getting into Windows 7.

 

Is there a way to do this without loading Windows 7 first?

 

Regards

 

Martin

[KenB]

Is there a way to do this without loading Windows 7 first?

You could do this on another Vista / Win7 machine by using a HDD to USB adapter.

Connect it up - go to Disk Management