I still haven't resolved the dell inspiron 530 error message?

Question

an error message keeps showing up before the login screen. It's reads, diskett o seek failure, press f1 to continue, f2 for set up. I went to the bios menu but did not find a way to fix this problem. Is there anyone that can help?

Answer 1

The errormessage is mentioned here:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/inspd530/EN/OM/HTML/trouble.htm#wp1084507



If your computer has a diskette-drive there very likely is some problem with the cable, or the drive is defective. You could try opening the casing and if needed reconnect the cables. Before opening the casing first power down the computer completely and disconnect it completely (disconnect all cables at the back like the powercable, videocable etcetera) Also avoid touching electrical circuits in case of a static discharge. You could also look for some youtube vids as guidance, or look on the dell site for more info on this. also make sure the data-cable, if it's a flatcable, is connected in the right orientation (pin 1 on cable matching pin 1 on connector). Don't forget to check the powercable also (the drive should have 2 cables connected to it, a powercable and a datacable, the datacable should also be conected to the motherboard on the other side, while the powercable comes from the powersupply)



If you have a diskette-drive and it is defective, and you don't want to make the trouble of replacing it, just remove the powercable and datacable completely. A diskettedrive normally isn't very usefull anyway, maybe for the odd driverdiskette.



If the diskette-drive is gone (or at least the cables) , or wasn't there to begin with, you might have to tell the bios-setup there is no a: drive (the diskette-drive normally is the a: drive) present to avoid the error-message you keep getting. But maybe the bios wil detect this automatically, not sure.



some vids:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3gLvxK3ON0

(amature video)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxVeg53aOFM

(very good vid on floppydrive replacement)



http://www.youtube.com/user/TechSkillsVideos#p/u/20/QNahnyx9OWQ

(very good vid about ESD prevention measures)



http://www.youtube.com/user/TechSkillsVideos#p/u/17/R3Q4jMbSxks

(while you at it, use the opportunity to clean the computer)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f99nycyrOJU&feature=channel

(knowing how to put a computer together is always handy)

Answer 2

Here is a thread about that error message:

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18984



It covers most of the likely scenarios but one thing isn't mentioned. If the floppy drive ribbon cable has been completely removed from the system, then it may have been put back the wrong way. The end with the twist is to be plugged into the floppy drive and the straight end goes to the motherboard.



Hope that helps. :-)

Answer 3

diskett o seek failure, can not be fixed in BIOS. You need the Windows CD and boot it up and choose repair (R), the do a fixmbr command. Your issue is your hard drives boot sector being corrupt.