"System disk failure"

[Turbo55]

After I powered on the computer, the first message I saw after the Compaq bootup logo is"Non system disk failure. Insert disk and press a key". I tried to press a key, and all different keys, but none of the keys on the keyboard worked. I rebooted the computer several times, and the outcome was the same. I know the keyboard is not broken, b/c the computer boots up with a system password, and I was able to type that in, however after that, I cannot type any more.

Furthermore, I was able to get into the bios, but after I got in, none of the keys were functionable. It seems like the keyboard losses signal with the computer after I entered the (correct) system password. I even swap the keyboard with another functionable one, but still no luck.

 

[MiniMe69]

check your floppy...maybe you left a disk in there. if not then it looks like your hard drive it dead or else someone deleted the system files off the drive. As for the keyboard not working... weird =)

 

[divide by zero]

Turbo 55, did you find the solution to this problem? I have a system that always give the "System Disk Failure" message. I'm using a Tekram S381-ML motherboard and an HP floppy. I've verified the Klinux floppy is formatted and populated by trying it on another system. I even tried using a different floppy drive and cable from a working system and I get the same msg. I've tried turning the cable over at each end. I've pulled all of the LED and switch connectors except for the power button one just in case I'd connected one of those incorrectly and thereby hosed things up.

The floppy works fine in one system with the Tekram mobo and HP floppy but not in two others. Any known quirks with Tekram mobos or HP floppies?

Anyone have suggestions?

 

[han888]

i ever had that problem on my notebook! and finally the problem is my hd is dead!

 

[divide by zero]

Mine is a floppy only system. No harddrive.

 

[Pretender]

divide_by_zero my only guess is that you might've plugged the fdc cable in backwards, but you've probably already checked that.

 

[Turbo55]

I swapped the HD w/ a new one and it booted up fine. But the next time I rebooted it, it said "HD controller failure". Strange, let me examine the problem more thorougly this Friday and I might have the solution then.