Member Avatar for Bluedog

I keep getting
boot from cd:
boot disk error insert system disk
when I try to load up.

The drive is browsable from a temporary one which I added.
In the recovery console I have tried bootcfg /rebuild fixmbr and fixboot to no avail..

This problem occured after I installed the nvidia nforce4 system driver from a utility disc.

Help would be appreciated
Cheer, Blue.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by RueB2sDe

Dani AI

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Short summary and likely causes based on the thread: can browse the main disk when booted from a temporary drive, Recovery Console MBR/boot repairs were tried with no luck, and the problem started after installing the nForce4 drivers. 's reminder about master/jumper is a good first check. The most likely causes are: BIOS not seeing the drive as the boot device (cable/jumper/port issue), the Windows partition not marked active or missing boot files, or a controller-mode mismatch (IDE vs SATA/AHCI/RAID) after the nForce install.

Practical checks in order:

  1. With only the main drive connected, confirm the BIOS/POST lists that HDD. If it disappears when attached alone, reseat or swap the power/data cable, try a different SATA port or power connector, and for IDE drives verify jumpers and cable position (end vs middle) as @RueB2sDe suggested.
  2. If BIOS sees the disk, ensure the HDD is first in the boot order. Also check the motherboard SATA/controller mode in BIOS—set it to the mode Windows was installed under (many XP installs expect legacy/IDE mode). Changing this can prevent booting if drivers differ, so note the original setting before toggling.
  3. If the drive is visible but won’t boot, inspect the Windows partition from the temporary OS or a rescue CD: confirm the partition is marked active and that the Windows boot files (NTLDR, NTDETECT.COM, boot.ini on XP) are present and point to the correct partition. Restore missing boot files or correct the active flag with a partition tool if needed.

If those steps fail: back up all readable data now. Try a Windows Repair install from the XP CD (repairs boot components without wiping data), or test the disk on another PC to rule out motherboard/controller issues. Run SMART/drive diagnostics if hardware failure is suspected.

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Member Avatar for RueB2sDe

Does your system get past the post? Do you see Windows logo at all?
Do you have a nvidia nforce4 installed?

RueB 2s De

Member Avatar for Bluedog

With my temporary drive installed I can get past post. it functions normally, and I can view the contents of the main drive from the desktop.

Yes, it's definitely an nforce4 motherboard.
I use some hardrive diagnostics and it seems ok from that.

Member Avatar for RueB2sDe

I would check that the cable is set to Master and the jumpers on the hdd are set to master.

Does this have Windows XP?

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