Re: [TCLUG:2679] PC error message

[David Carter <dcarter@winternet.com>]

On Wed, 9 Dec 1998, Tim Wilson wrote:

> I'm trying to get an old 486 running but I get the following message after
> it does its memory check:
> 
> NO ROM BASIC
> SYSTEM HALTED
> 
> I can get into the bios setup program, but I don't see any problems there.
> Am I hosed?
> 
> -Tim

It sounds like the BIOS isn't finding a valid boot sector on any attached
disks.  Are you sure that the floppy drive is attached correctly and
works?  If not, that could cause this message.  (Later BIOSs have replaced
this message with something like 'DISK BOOT FAILURE -- INSERT BOOT DISK
AND PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE'.)  If the floppy drive, controller, cable,
and boot disk work in another similar machine, then it would be time to
wonder if it was hosed.  In the event that that happened, it would be good
to install a bootable hard drive in that machine, with a known good
controller and cable, and try that.  If that also fails, then you're out
of luck.  Good luck getting that machine working!

	David

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