Gigabyte "Disk Boot Failure"

[Zaphod234]

Perhaps I've done a very bad search, but I can't find an answer to the following problem.

I have a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L motherboard. I’m happily working away when all of a sudden my computer powers down and, when I try to boot up, I get this message: "Disk Boot Failure, Insert System Disk and Press Enter." I changed the boot order in the Bios, putting the system drive before the CD/DVD drive. Same thing. I unplugged all the hard drives (I am not using RAID). Same thing. I removed and replaced the motherboard battery. I tried a different hard drive, different cables, and so on.

I tried a recovery using Acronis, which gets just so far in the process and then hangs. I tried to reinstall Windows 7 on both the original drive and another (brand new) drive. Both times the installation stalled and asked for hard drive drivers.

The computer posts, but does not find any drives.

At this point I think the problem is the motherboard rather than the system hard drive (which I reformatted at some point in any case, and seems to read perfectly fine in another computer).

I am running Windows 7 64-bit, 4GB RAM

Should I reflash the Bios? (The Bios version is F9, and I don’t think there’s a more recent update.)

I’m medium-competent; I build my own computers. But this is driving me nuts. Any help?

 

[bankster55]

either mobo or PSU +12V, or RAM?
run memtest 86+ from a USB
just crashing during use is a bad sign
just for giggles you could try a full CMOS reset, PSU unplugged bat out

 

[Zaphod234]

either mobo or PSU +12V, or RAM?
run memtest 86+ from a USB
RAN MEMTEST: NO PROBLEMS
just crashing during use is a bad sign
just for giggles you could try a full CMOS reset, PSU unplugged bat out

Thanks for the input. I think it may be time for a new mb. Sigh.

 

[96Firebird]

Try switching the SATA port that the HDD goes to. I have had some problems with the same board where it wouldn't boot, but I switched the SATA port and it is all good so far...