What does "disk controller failure" suppose to mean?

[JCE10]

I booted up an old Compaq 5690 and received an error saying something to the like of "NLTDR not found" (not sure the exact 5 letters but it started with a N and ended with a R and had a L somewhere in there). I figure the hard drive was bad as this was my brothers previous comp. and he said the hard drive no longer works. I replaced a new one and get "disk controller failure" and two options, "F1 Boot" or "F10 Setup". After putting all the defaults back in setup, I rebooted with the same warning. This time I hit F1 and it says, "no operating system found" which I would think is normal. Now I don't have the Windows CD with me so I can't install the operating system until later, but I wondering what the warning meant? Does it mean the controller controlling the IDE drives is not working and if it weren't, how was the new hard drive detected? The other hard drive wouldn't even go as far as warning me about a "disk controller failure" or saying "no operating system". I appreciate any insight.

 

[JCE10]

Okay now I'm getting "Non-system disk or disk error, replace and strike any key when ready". Ahhhh. What are my options? New mobo or is there a way to fix the disk controller?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Are you new to computers?
No, really.
Have you ever opened one before in your life?

Not trying to offend. I, like many others here, can walk you through this. But frankly, given your apparent lack of knowledge to any degree in the area, I suggest you go to Dell.com and buy the Dimension 2400.

- M4H

 

[thorin]

1) Is the HD detected by the bios?
2) What's your boot disk order in the BIOS?
3) Do you have a bootable Windows install disk or a "copy"?
4) Why are you trying to revive an old POS Compaq? (The 5690 is like a 1998/99 model)

Thorin

 

[smashp]

This particular model compaq is notorious for this.

The problem: Crappy mb.

This is by far the largest failure in product line. the mb 388107-001, which it should habe a label for, Ide controller often fails or intermitantly works.

Sorry to say your screwed. Add-on IDE controllers rarely work properly with the compaq bioses used on this mb.

an aftermarket mb will be used and runs about 200-350 for this model.


Solution

Buy a new PC