New m17x-Exiting Intel PXE ROM

Hello all. I recently received my first Alienware computer, an m17x R3! I had been researching and looking at guides for how to properly install an SSD and do a clean windows install. I followed all the steps and everything is pretty much perfect. However, since installing the SSD, I occasionally get the following message:

Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 083)

For Atheros PCIE Ethernet Controller v2.0.2.6(09/28/10)

Check cable connection!
PXE-MOF: Exiting Intel PXE ROM
No bootable device--insert boot disk and press any key

Now, this only seems to happen when I have my Dell Resource disk in when I do a reboot/try to boot. When I get the error, I eject the disk and shut down, then reboot and it boots fine. When the disk isn't in, Windows boots perfectly (and fast!). When I have any other disk in, it seems to boot just fine. But when the resource disk is in, I get this error. Is this something I can easily fix? What did I do wrong?

 

Hi IXIKelsonIXI, it sounds like your laptop is attempting to do a network boot. Check the boot order in your BIOS. This is how you do it if you are not sure:

While the laptop is booting, press <F2> immediately before the operating system logo appears to access the BIOS Setup Utility. You are looking for a section called Boot Menu. Your boot menu should like something like this and if it doesn't, follow the directions on how to change the order and save the changes before you exit.

Hard Drive

USB Storage

CD/DVD/BD

Removal Devices

Network

Le me know how it turns out for you.

 

I think the interesting thing here is that it only does a networkboot when the resource dvd is inserted.

It could be a "feature". If you have CD-Boot over HDD-Boot, swap them and look if it still occours. If it dissappears, it could mean that the resource DVD has the networkboot binaries on it.

 

Are you using an OCZ SSD hard drive? A lot of people are claiming to have technical problems with them.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses! I have yet to adjust my boot order, but last time I looked it seemed as though it went HDD-->Secondary HDD-->Disk, but I will check again. It is indeed interesting that it is only the resources disk I am experiencing the issue with--made it difficult to install the drivers after my clean install!

And I am using a 120 GB Intel 510 drive. I didn't get OCZ specifically because I saw people having so many issues with the m17x and it.

 

Wanted to throw out an update: I was wrong about only receiving an error with the resource disk in. I only get the error described in the OP when I have the resource disk in during boot. However, if I have any other disk in, it hangs for a second, then says "Disk read error. Press ctrl+alt+delete to restart". I have to remove the disk then force a shut down to get Windows to boot.

My Boot order is correct in the boot options...so I am very confused.

 

Do you have two hard drives installed?

 

Yes. I installed an Intel 510 SSD and have the regular HDD that came with the computer.

 

Make sure that your SSD in installed in Bay 1.

 

It is. The HDD that came with the machine was in bay 0. I read recommendations that said to install the SSD in bay 1 so I just left the stock HDD in its bay and installed the SSD in bay 1.

 

I thought I read somewhere that was the case for the OCZ Vertex 2 SSD. It was said the work around to get is working was to install on in bay 2. Are the two hard drives listed under the boot order menu?

 

The boot order menu has hard drive and secondary hard drive as options. Something to that effect. Both are ahead of CD and Network in boot order.

 

I would try to make things as simple as possible for now by taking the non SSD drive out of the picture and installing the SSD in Bay 0 just to see whether or not it boots. If it works, then introduce the Resource CD to see what it does or whatever CD you may have. Basically you going through the process of elimination.