Computer won't boot without xp cd in

[comp615]

This is one of the wierdest things I have seen. For some reason one of the computers I built will not start without the xp cd in. If I take it out it says please insert boot disk or valid media (something like that). I have tried re-writing the MBR a few times, but no go. So once I put the XP disk in the drive, it boots (Like it normally should)...and CD is third on the boot list below hard drives!!!

So it seems like the computer is using the disk as a sort of crutch...in relation to this possibly. The person reports that the computer often will not shut down, it will unload all the taskbar icons and sit there. :/ And sometimes it will turn off, then turn back on after a few seconds???? And I assume because of the way he has to shut down, every now and then scan disk will come up.

I have already deemed it free of any ad-ware/viruses and the hardware should be up to snuff too. Its a 3.2 GHZ, 512MB DDR2, ASUS mobo, X700 Pro. Thanks for any suggestions.

[pam123]

If it's still under warranty have Asus replace the board or go here : http://www.badflash.com/
and order a new bios chip for the board.

[stylin19]

WAG here....
Recheck the jumper setting on the hard drive, check the IDE cable isn't loose, check the HD & CDRom are cabled correctl; etc....


not much...good luck

[timsloot]

The same exact thing happened to my home built computer and the problem was a connector cable was bad. So I replaced it and it works flawlessly now. I had trouble for months with it not booting up without the cd but once I replaced the connector its fine.