Missing Operating System

TravelSite

Active member
Hi,

I received my new PC on Friday evening. It worked fine that evening and I ran microsoft update to download all the latest updates, restarted it to make sure everything was fine, then shut down the pc (it was on for about 5 hours in total).

I then went on holiday for a few days and on returning can't seem get it to work.

It kept showing a missing operating system message.

I can get into the BIOS by pressing the Del key - but that's about it. Both the hard drives do appear in the bios (though I'm not sure what settings to check for - but the raid 0 seemed to work okay initially)

I've also loaded the Win 7 disc and selected Startup Repair - but it says "Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically". I also can't run the "Windows Memory Diagnostic" as it I get a message stating "Windows cannot check for memory problems. An error is preventing Windows from checking for memory problems during startup".

Any advice on what to do next? Is it okay to re-install Windows 7 afresh (given that there isn't any data on the drives yet)? If doing so will I need to configure it for RAID 0 myself (twin Kingston 250GB ssds) via the bios?

Thanks
 

tom_gr7

Life Serving
did by any chance did you turn of the pc at the mains when you went away? I ask because happened to my pc a few months ago, kinda similar symptoms.

Can you load up in safe mode?

If you can get into the bios, go advanced (dont change anything) but have a look for the ssd's.

But i'd call pcs, for accurate advice.

Tom
 

TravelSite

Active member
Hi,

Yes - I turn the PC off and unplug it each night and when not in use.

I don't think I can get into safe mode but will try it again when I get home.

I can get into the bios. The two ssds do show up - though I noticed that "RAID" wasn't selected for them (a third option was chosen, though perhaps this does the same thing). I'm away from the pc hence can't remember what the name of it was.

Its going to be tricky calling PCS as I don't get in till after 6 but will give it a go thanks.

One thing I did notice that seemed odd (when it was working) was the amount of free space. The two 250GB drives combined showed up in practice as something like 450GB (I can't remember the exact amount). However only 350GB or thereabouts was free. I added up the operating system files etc and it looked as though about 50GB was unaccounted for (unless this has something to do with RAID setup)
 

vanthus

Member Resting in Peace
Enabling RAID again in BIOS might solve the problem,so long as the RAID
setup hasn't somehow been messed up.
 

TravelSite

Active member
I tried going loading safe mode (didn't work) and enabling RAID and a few other things - but without success.

Their phone lines close at 5pm, but I've emailed them the full details of the issue to look into.

I don't mind re-installing Windows 7 from scratch as there's not really anythiing on the hard drives (other than Windows Updates which I can download again) - but I want to check first that this won't cause any issues with the system setup etc.

Thanks
 

TravelSite

Active member
Thanks for the advice. Its now into the second day and I've yet to receive a response to the email :( I will call PCS on Saturday if I've still not heard anything back by then thanks.
 

PokerFace

Banned
Unfortunately, the email response can take a couple of days as the phones take priority. I imagine they are very busy with the extra orders running up to Christmas. It's difficult when you are unable to call through the week, but hopefully you'll get some good advice on Saturday.

I'd try to call as early as possible after 9am, so when you get through they'll have time to talk you through a bit of trouble shooting and get this sorted.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
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