Disk boot failure, please insert system disk?

[Metalloid]

Trying to boot to Windows 2k. When booting from hdd, I get config\system (registry file) is corrupt. I try to boot from my Windows 2000 cd and I get "Disk boot failure, please insert system disk and press enter"

Swapped out the cd-rom drive and that is fine. Both of the IDE channels are fine. Power supply is fine.

So what is it? Dying hdd? If so, why can't I even boot from my cd-rom?

 

[Duvie]

I just had one like this and it was a dying HDD....I guess there could be the potential it is so corrupted it wont boot short of a full reformat and reinstall....I had no info of value on this PC (work) since it was recently full backed up a CAD files so I tried the reformat and still had issues so I purchased a new drive and I was fine.

I was using Winxp and tried the Repair as well as a Restore to a certain date but nothing would work...

 

[Broadkipa]

have you checked your boot settings in the bios, you might want to change the setup to boot from Cd first.

 

[Metalloid]

I have it set to boot to cd-rom.

Duvie: I would be perfectly happy with a complete reformat/reinstall. Unfortunately, I can't even do that.

I might try booting with a Windows 98 floppy and deleting the partition.

Any other ideas?

 

[Ike0069]

My guess is bad HD. How old is the one you have?