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    A2 boot problem

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by Busso, Dec 29, 2008.

  1. Busso

    Busso Newbie

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    New to the forum so hello everybody :)

    Tried a search but couldn't find anything quite like this, so hope someone can offer advice or information please...

    Recently purchased a second hand laptop (1.7/512mb/60g HD/XP Pro) for the garage...but it was DOA and wouldn't boot until I changed the Hard Disc Mode, which is odd! The laptop was apparently tested and had some updates applied prior to my purchase, so is reported to have been working ok.

    In "Enhanced IDE (Normal)" mode the laptop won't boot, pressing the power switch only results in the Toshiba splashscreen followed by a flashing cursor.

    By powering up and depressing "Esc" at the same time I can access the bios after being prompted to press F1.

    The HD isn't listed on page 2 of the Bios.

    After changing the boot sequence to CD I ran "chkdsk /r" and it found one or more errors which were repaired.

    I then changed the Hard Disc Mode from "Enhanced IDE (Normal)" to "standard IDE" and it tried to boot on restart but wanted me to insert Windows SP1 disc.

    I inserted my own Windows XP pro disc and performed a recovery. The laptop works ok (although slowly) but only in the "standard IDE" mode in BIOS.

    Will a clean install repair the dodgy boot? Do I have a HD problem as I suspect? Strange that its reported to have been fault free but now won't boot...I've no reason to doubt the vendor as similar machines have been fine (already contacted other recipients).

    Any other thoughts gratefully received...thanks :D

    Busso.
     
    Busso, Dec 29, 2008
    #1