Everytime I restart windows the bubble comes up on the taskbar that I've got new hardware..then the box comes up on the screen asking me if I want to put the disk in or install it manually. But the hardware is never named..it's always letters and asterisks and dots and slashes. Today it said it was an optical disk drive after I clicked it off. How do I get rid of this as I know I don't have new hardware? It only started happening after I had a new video card put it by a computer store so surely they would have put in the hardware properly?
200976
Check the following\n->start -> control panal -> system  -> hardware tab at the top -> device manager . Now look at all the devices that are installed on you computer if any have a red cross or a yellow question mark then it is disabled or has a problem, if you find any double click on them to see what is wrong. If there is no problems in the device manager send it back to the computer store.
162363
I need more info.\nDo you ever see the Windows logo? If so then there is probably something wrong w/ the windows files. Trying tapping F8 during bootup and select "safe mode"\n\nDo you just get the HP logo? Then it's something hardware related. And that could be almost anything. Did you change anything else besides the hard drive?\nThis board also seems pretty old, so it might just be dead.
257804
My best guess is a dead hard drive.  Does the computer make it past the Post (power on self test) screen.  Does it attempt to load Windows, does the clicking start with HD access or does it start as soon as you turn the PC on.  Is anything displayed on the screen at all... until the clicking starts.  If your computer makes it past Post then I'm going with my initial gut feeling that your hard drive died on you.\n\nOf course, I've never had a motherboard short out on me so I have no idea what that would sound like... but it could be, I couldn't say.  Once again, this is one of these catch all problems where just about anything mechanical or electronic could be causing the noise.\n\nWell, since nothing works, this is going to be hard to diagnose.  Best guess is still a hard drive but now I'm going to toss in the processor, memory, GPU and well, any other hardware in your system.  Start removing components one by one and see what happens, save for the processor, I've never tried to boot a system without a processor but my guess is nothing will happen.  If that doesn't work, you're right back at square one.  Here's an idea, take your hard drive out, plug it into another computer as a slave and see if it at least works, don't do anything to it, just see if it is recognized, if it is, not the hard drive.  If you can rule out the hard drive you are looking at a dead motherboard and/or processor which will have to be replaced at least.  If the motherboard is fried, you'll have to check the other components to see what is good and what is not.
320009
I had the same problem on my computer a while back. I tried everything to get rid of it, but I eventually broke down and bought a windows product key. It was something like $150. I'm still pissed about it.
104878
Yikes, it doesn't look good.  I normally don't suggest this but try reloading windows.  This might not work as it might be a virus.  If that is so you might want to boot using a virus scan disk (If you can get hold of one) or the extreme is to format your drive.  Whatever you do, good luck and I would not mind finding out what you did to resolve the problem.
9539
Hard to diagnose the problem with just that info.\n\nFirst, are you installing software from a floppy disk or a CD Rom?\n\nIf it's a CD, perhaps the CD drive in your PC does not have the drive letter d:\n\nOr if you have > 1 CD / DVD drive, perhaps you're using the wrong one in terms of one that's labled d:.  In my system, for example, I have d:, e:, and f: CD/DVD drives.\n\nIf it's a floppy, it's most likely a: or b:, not d:
439615
It happens, just go to 'my computer', then find the drive and double click, it will then start up. It can get annoying but windows is lame so what do you expect?
495371
This most likely means that something changed on you computer that caused a software conflict. This could either be a Windows Update issue, or perhaps you just installed software or hardware.\n\nThe best thing to do at this point, without getting too deep into difficult solutions, is to perform a System Restore (NOT a recovery disk from the computer manufacturer).\n\nIn safe mode, go to Programs-Accessories-System Tools-System Restore. Do a Restore to an earlier time, and set it to just before the problem started. If a restore point is available just a few days ago, then your data should all be there. I've seen times when a restore will erase your personal files, BUT only when choose a restore date from a long time ago.\n\nNOW keep an eye on what the computer does, and perhaps you can see what causes it to do it again (hopefully it won't, but it's possible).
135267
after installing the card and restarting the PC you should see the message "new hardware detected", then follow the instructions on the screen. if you're asked for the CD then insert the XP Home disk. Maybe this is even not necessary  if the installer find an appropiate driver in the driver directory.\n\nedit:\ni forgot to mention you must be logged in as administrator
609177
Before buying a new one, try this:  First, check the cables (power and ribbon) to make sure they're seated properly.  Next, using the Device Manager, RIGHT click on the drive that's shown, and choose "uninstall".  Say "Yes" to the next question.  Then re-boot, and if the drive is working, Windows will find it as "new hardware" and install the drivers for it.  If it is still not recognized or not working, then sure, go ahead and purchase a new one.  By the way, you might as well get yourself a DVD drive if you're getting a new one, since it'll handle both DVD's and CD's as well.  Good luck.
228822
If your system come with a system dick, then boot from that and follow the instructions.\n\nIf not you will have to boot from a windows CD and re-install.
566176
when you put a blank disk into the drive, a screen pops up that says...what would you like to do with this disk and it lists options.  I believe one of them is create a photo slideshow.
495043
I will be guiding you on my Win 2000 but it's almost the same.\nGo to My Computer -> right click -> Properties.\nMove through the tabs until you see something like "Startup and Recovery". It should be in the "Advanced" tab or something close to it.\nThere you can uncheck the option to detect existing operating systems.Afterwards it will be OK and it won't show up anymore.\n\nYou might want to make sure you format your drive on the next reinstall of windows XP (it will happen sooner or later :) )\n\nGood Luck to you
625478
when i get probs like that i just start from fresh if your pc works the same as mine just restart comp and pressf8 or f11 continuously and follow instructions.only problem with this is it wipes everything off.ie .security downloads etc so will have to put all back on but its like having a new comp but make you got discs you need first .good luck.allways works 4 me.
76857
If you get the message "Non system disk" upon bootup and you can't get rid of it, it looks like your hard drive crashed.  If the boot sector on the hard drive is toast, it can't boot up and you'll get that message.\n\nAs for fixing it... I honestly hope you didn't have anything important on it.\n\nLets see... Double-check there's no disks in any drives, including CD-ROMs.  Try going into your BIOS setup and resetting it to the defaults. If none of this works, you may have to take more drastic measures.\n\nIf you have another PC, you can take the hard drive out and put it in as a slave in the second PC. This will at least allow you to copy off anything you need.\n\nIf you don't have another PC, you can try re-installing windows over itself. Just make sure you don't re-format or re-partition in the process.  As long as you keep the current file system, you won't lose any data.
227072
It sounds like a boot write virus... EEK! That's horrible. It could also be a few other things. System bios settings. Bad hard drive. You know I would suggest the good old restore disk. I hate to say it, but if all else fails turn to a tech.
142342
Use FDISK first to create partitions. At least one primary partition. If you install Win2000 or higher this is part of the installation routine.\n\n-----------\n\nI had this problem once.\nhttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q228888\n\nThe solution is incredibly paradoxical.\n\nIf nothing helps go to the HDD manufacturer site and download the hardware diagnose tool.\n\nto get a picture of your case further details are required.