Says no bootable disk when I turn it on

[Cheriefon]

2001 dell
Turn it on and it says no bootable device
Went to set and and don't know what to do
Could use help to get this working thanks

 

[clintittech]

Does the computer make unusual noises?
Does the BIOS detect any Hard drives?

 

[urbanj]

Likely not finding your Hard Drive, so unless it died, make sure everything is connected to your HDD (power and SATA at HDD and on motherboard).

 

[COLGeek]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from Cheriefon : "2001 Dell Inspiron 4100"

Turn it on and just says no bootable devices
Don't know what to do next
Went to set up and don't know how to set up properly
Just want to turn it on for basic use and upgrades were done over the years with adding memory etc
Thanks for any help to try and get the old gal working

 

[ffg7]

urbanj, that laptop does not have sata as that laptop predates sata introduction by at least 8yrs.
http/downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_inspiron_laptop/inspiron-4100_service%20manual_en-us.pdf

Cheriefon, when was the last time you used that laptop?

 

[clintittech]

2001 computer, after 15yrs the hard drive dies eventually. Hope you did not have any data / documents on it which was / were not backed up...

 

[ffg7]

clintittech, you are not thinking old enough which is why I asked when was last time did Cheriefon have that laptop on, think old technology like a Pentium 3 cpu laptop.

 

[Cheriefon]

I just wrote answer.
Got it working
Changed config to hdd from cd

Now I can't get in wifi. Changed router a few years ago and can't find username
Net gear 72
Know password though

I restored computer to 2002. To see if that works properly for other problems
Am home sick and figured I'd play with this or I just have to throw it out
Urgh

 

[ffg7]

your router or somebody else?

 

[clintittech]

Most probably you need to replace the CMOS battery, as the BIOS settings are lost. Happens if a computer/laptop is not turned on for a long period of time. If you do not replace it, the BIOS settings will be lost again. Rebooting will bring back the WiFi and Ethernet.

 

[ffg7]

might not have to if laptop left on for several hrs?

 

[clintittech]

No the CMOS battery does not recharge like the other batteries which power up laptops. CMOS battery is the one located inside your laptop, not the one you could easily remove. The CMOS battery does not recharge. It is used to provide constant power to the CMOS settings which are necessary for the BIOS to boot up the computer. If the CMOS battery dies or loses its charge, then it has to be replaced.

 

[ffg7]

clintittech, I've been doing computers for about 30yrs so I know about cmos batteries. old laptops like that p3 might have rechargeable cmos battery & this laptop does have that according to the manual I posted above.

 

[Cheriefon]

Mine. I have to look up modem info since it's not autimaticalky detecting it

 

[ffg7]

you can access the modem\router setup by using an Ethernet cable between the modem\router & laptop.