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Error Loading Operating System |
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Error Base Best viewed on 1024x768 and higher resolutions. Readable on lower resolutions. |
Symptoms: "Error loading operating system" occurs on boot up. Description: This nasty little error can occur during the installation of an operating system, namely Window XP. The first part of the installation completes with no problems, formatting and installer file copying, but upon reboot, the system freezes on this message. There are several ways to solve this problem: Tested Solutions: Several things can cause this error to occur: Hardware incompatibilities can have an effect on the installation of Windows XP. Things to look for can include:
To make sure that the system itself is in working condition, only have the bare minimum hardware options installed. In this case, the HDD, CD-ROM, Floppy, and graphics card (If there is no onboard graphics on the motherboard). This will ensure that the system can boot with basic drives. Once you have the basic hardware devices installed, you can then run through the Windows installation to test if a now disconnected device is causing the error. If the installation runs through correctly, reconnect one device at a time until you come across the incompatible device. If running the system with minimum hardware does not solve the problem, the system may have a failed HDD. In this case, insert a boot disk (preferably windows 98, they can be acquired here). Insert the floppy disk into the drive while the computer is off, then power it up. Set your boot sequence to read floppy disk first (Don't know if your computer is set this way or don't know what boot sequence is? Look here.) Once the computer has booted into the floppy disk menu, select to start without CD-ROM support. This will lower loading time. Once you have loaded the system, it will show a black screen with some text followed by "A:>". This is your new computer view. Everything here on in is done via the keyboard, so you can move the mouse away. Now type the following: fdisk Then press enter. It may load a screen asking if you want to support large disks or ntfs support, just press "y" followed by "Enter" on both of these screens. The fdisk application allows you to see "partition" information. A partition is where you can store your operating system and all your information. Note: If "Error reading fixed disk" appears, read this. WARNING: Using fdisk to alter your partitions WILL result in lost data. Read this about backing up your information without an operating system installed. Pressing 4 at this screen followed by enter will show you your partition information. If this screen shows nothing or warns you that there is no partition installed, then all you may need to do is partition the drive. This is explained here. WARNING: You WILL lose data if you continue. If there is a partition installed, follow the instructions on screen and choose the option to delete a partition. This will completely remove any information that was on the partition. To replace the previous partition, you can go back to the first screen and press 1. This will let you create a single partition or multiple (explained here). Once the partitioning is complete, you will need to restart your system. Once restarted, you have the choice of either going back into DOS through your Boot Disk (same method as above) and using the "format c:" command (explained here) or inserting you Windows XP CD and letting that format it for you. Either method can work. If the "Error loading operating system" error still occurs, then there are still more things you can try. If there is a problem still occurring here, it may be that the "mbr" or "Main boot record" could be damaged. This is the part of the hard drive that is read to start up an Operating System. To "clean" this part of the hard drive, you need to be in dos (with no partitions present to ensure success). WARNING: Data loss WILL occur if you continue. When in DOS, type in the following commands followed by enter:
C: "Fdisk /mbr" formats the main boot record of the hard drive and removes and bad parts of the drive that may cause errors. It may have to be run through multiple times, so type the command from 4 to 6 times pressing enter after each time. Now restart the system and enter DOS once more, re-partition the drive and reformat following the instructions above. If there is still a problem, there is one last thing that can be tried. A "low level format" will completely format the drive back to as if it were new. Each brand of hard drive needs their own utility to perform this type of format, and each program is laid out differently, so it can be confusing. Links to hard drive companies that offer low-level format support can be found on our downloads page here. Once the low level format has completed, follow through the fdisk and formatting procedures. This should be the last attempt at fixing the hard drive. If it does not solve it, chances are your hard drive is damaged and may need replacing. An incorrect boot sequence can cause many errors to occur. This is altered in the bios of a computer. To access the BIOS, press "delete" when the computer is reading the drives (often it will tell you at the bottom of the screen which button to press). The drive boot sequence is stored in "Advanced BIOS Features" which is commonly the second option down on the left. Use the arrow keys to move to it, then enter to enter the next menu. On this menu are the options of "First boot device" "Second boot device" and "Third boot device". Often you will be fine having the first boot device set and Floppy, second as CD-ROM, and third as HDD. To switch between these options, use the "Page up" and "Page down" buttons. Once you have set your boot sequence correctly, press "esc" to go back to the main menu, then move over to "save and exit". Remove any floppy disks from the drive and run through the installation. WARNING: Altering the BIOS can cause your computer to fail, not respond properly, lose data, etc. Only do this if you know what you are doing. To check which version of BIOS you have installed on your computer, you simply have to look at your startup (on most computers). It will show the name of your motherboard, then a number to the right of it. The number is which version of BIOS you have. Once you know your board model and BIOS version, go to the manufacturers website and search for your motherboard and check for updates.To install the new BIOS, follow the instructions on the manufacturers website. There is a list of manufacturers on our downloads page here. |
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Disclaimer: WE DO NOT SUGGEST IN ANY WAY THAT THE SOLUTIONS LISTED HERE WILL BE SAFE OR WORKING IN ALL CASES. THIS IS JUST A GUIDELINE, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. |