Windows 2K - "Operating System not found"

[TomPiller]

We have a Dell Inspiron running Windows 2K that is about 2 years old. Recently, when rebooted the error message "Operating System not found" comes up, and the boot halts. After two or three re-tries, it will load.

Is there a fix for this? Do we have to re-load the OS? Or is it time for a new machine?

 

[wolluf]

First thing I'd check is the connection of the drive to the motherboard (connectors at both ends undamaged and firmaly seated). I'd run chkdsk on the drive and the drive manufacturers diagnostic utility (usually available from their website). If that checks out ok, I'd boot into recovery console -

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;229716

and run fixmbr and fixboot.

If still a problem, I'd try connecting the drive to the secondary IDE controller (checking problems not the first controller) - where your CD/DVD(s) are probably connected currently.

PS - are there any other symptoms. When did this start happening - any changes to software/hardware/major crash/virus immediately before this?

 

[TomPiller]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try them.

There have not been any changes to the system or any viruses - this simply is an old laptop that gets a lot of (ab)use.