computer problem.

Any member had the dreaded message "Reboot or select proper boot device" and resolved this problem.
Loaded pics on the machine, closed down and then next morning tried to enter and got the above message.
Have been on the Forums but cannot find anyone who has dealt with this successfully.

regards

Could be a few things, i've not seen it myself but have a few questions.

Is this a Desktop or Laptop?
Have you checked that you don't have any USB memory devices attached? (It may be trying to boot from them, this includes cameras)
What Operating system should it be running? (Windows XP/ 7 MAC OS/ Linux)

Colud be loose cable to Hard Disk or corrupt boot record.

If the system has a CD / DVD Drive you might be able to boot with a Linux boot disk and copy any files to and external drive. Then you can re-install the OS or take to a repair shop.

Will

We had this with my wife's Acer netbook. It took a while on the net to find the solution but the bios had become corrupted. I downloaded a file from Acer onto a USB drive and booted up again pressing a series of keys. Not much different than upgrading your camera's firmware.

Thanks. I have followed all the obvious checks. I am inclined to believe that the Bios is the problem. As this machine is a local business built one and not purchased from one of the usual makers I am at a loss to know how to uncorrupt the Bios. All attempts to bring the machine back to life always ends up with the same message.
Any suggestions gratefully received.

regards

Try and reset the cmos setting on the motherboard..Its a simple thing but you will need the motherboard manual if you dont know how to..

you should be able to get motherboard manufacturer and model from motherboard, drop the side off the computer it should be visible printed on the board. then do a search on web for manual and latest bios, instuctions will be there re download procedure,manual will have bios update info as well

Something to try first:
Turn the monitor on first. If it gets power from the PC, use a separate power lead. Now switch the computer on and look for an opening screen that tells you which key to press for setup. Note that the key varies with the MB maker. When you get the setup screen, work across the menus until you find the one for the boot disk. Now make sure that it is trying to boot from the hard disk (Drive C) and not from (say) a CD drive. If this is all good, then you can suspect other things.
My next look would be at the battery that maintains the setup record - if this is dead, then there is nothing to tell the machine where to boot from. it is usually a coin cell, typically a CR 2032, and easy/cheap to source.
Geoff

This unit was built as a media centre but failed to function as such. After lying idle for a couple of years I have taken it for post processing photos.
The motherboard is the P5Q EM. It has two 250 mb Western Digital drives. The Bios recognises these and one is the priority boot up.
After hours on the Net I have followed through most of the obvious without success. Not yet tried the battery change option, so that I will do.
Have tried to download diagnostic software for the WD drives but this is in a format I have yet to succeed to copy to disc. Have tried diagnostics for memory but, again, without success.
I guess it must now be a trip to the people who built this machine.

regards

I'm sure you can download the WD software as in ISO and burn this to a cd and boot from it. If not look for Hirens Boot CD or Ultimate Boot CD, they come as an ISO and you burn them to CD, you need to use Nero of CD Burner Xp which is free and burn the image to disk, don't copy the file to a disk or it wont boot.

Hiren Boot CD has lots of tools for Diagnostics and recovery. I think the newer version also has a boot to MiniXp which should then allow you to connect to the internal WD drives and you can plug in a USB drive and copy files over. Great tool for IT.

Will

Thaanks, Will. Have tried to burn the ISO file using Nero. It must be me but just could not succeed.
Will try the Hiren route.

regards.

A hearty thanks to all who have entertained and helped me with my computer problem.
All is now well. Just ten minutes and a change of the C.Mos battery and everything restored to normal.
Am I a happy man. All systems restored and nothing lost including many pictures.

For me, a resolved problem and a look forward to a contented Christmas.
I wish all on here the same.

regards Thoramay