Windows XP Pro Install Says I Don't Have a Hard Disk Drive Installed

I am very much at the end of my rope. Not only does Windows not load at all, but now when I try to repair or reinstall it, an error message comes up saying that I do not have a hard disk drive installed. I do not understand how this can be possible. I thought a computer had to have some kind of hard drive to run.

I have the system disk, but I can't repair it. What do I do about this "no hard disk drive installed" error?

 

First you might try opening up the computer. Make sure the white power cable is connected to the hard drive. Then one at a time, disconnect and reconnect both ends of the ribbon data cable. Have seen where this looks connected and even pushing it in doesn't always solve the problem.

When your computer first boots, but before you get any error message, can you get to your computer's CMOS to see what hard drive is detected. Is anything there and if so, is it correct. You need to get the computer to recognize a hard drive before it can boot from one.

 

How do I get to the CMOS?

 

Different computers require different keystrokes. Hopefully yours either came with a manual or shows it when it first boots up.

Try the Del or F2 keys.