Boot Agent Problem

[BorchardtR]

I went to turn on my laptop (it used to be my dad's work laptop) and it is encountering problems try to boot up.

The very first screen that I encounter when trying to boot my laptop says:

"ERROR
2100: HDD0 (Hard Disk Drive) initialization error (2)
Press <Esc> to continue"
When i press escape, it leads to


"Intel(R) Boot Agent GE v1.2.50. Copyright (c) 1997-2007, Intel corporation.
Intel(R) Boot Agent PXE Base Code (PXE-2.1 build 086)
Copyright © 1997-2007, Intel Corporation”
and "Initializing and establishing link ...".

And then after a minute or so: "PXE-061: Media test failure." and "PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel Boot Agent."

It then takes me to a screen that says:
“
As of right now, the "current boot order and device status" is:
1. USB FDD -> Device not found
2. ATAPI CD0: ModelMATSHITADVD-RAM UJ-842-(PM) -> No valid operating system
3. USB CD: -> Device not found
4. ATA HDD0: -> Device Error
5. PCI LAN: Model IBA GE Slot 0200 v1250 ->No valid operating system
6. -USB HDD -> Device not found
7. ATA HDD1: -> Device not found

Excluded from boot order:
: ATA HDD2:
: ATAPI CD1:
”

I here that this problem probably arose from it trying to boot from a network drive and that I should change my boot priority order?

Does anyone have any idea what I the problem is and how I can fix it? Thanks so much for the help.

[kenc51]

Sounds like either the hard drive cable is unplugged or faulty and if not, then possibly a faulty hard drive

[BorchardtR]

Ok so I tried replugging in my hard drive again and it still will not boot. So this means its proboably a faulty hard drive? Is there anything I can do to fix this without having to spend money?

[DaddyRabbit]

Ok so I tried replugging in my hard drive again and it still will not boot. So this means its proboably a faulty hard drive? Is there anything I can do to fix this without having to spend money?

1) Yes

2) Chances are, no (unless you can find someone to give you a free hard drive that works ).

While not an absolute this line tells me the BIOS isn't seeing the HDD correctly (also tells me its an EIDE drive not SATA).

4. ATA HDD0: -> Device Error

If you could borrow a ATA hard drive to check before ordering it would be good (it could be the mobo on the laptop).
One key to me is that it is reporting a "device error" versus "not found". That indicates to me that the BIOS sees something there but cannot initialize even the interface. This, of course, is just my opinion.

Knowing the make and model of the laptop might help us a lot.
Also they aren't terribly expensive (compared to a new system) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136129