When I turn on my laptop, I get the message "no bootable cd in atapi cd-rom". I can't get any further than this. I have been into the bios and my hard drive is recognised, and I have tried different boot up sequences to no avail. I bit the bullet and decided to re-install windows (XP). The reinstall process seemed to go ok, untill the laptop had to restart itself, then the same message appears. I can only assume the problem is with the boot up information on the hard drive being corrupted, but I'm far from an expert!!!
I would format the HD and then reinstall windows, but I can't get to a dos prompt to do this.
The laptop in question is a Packard Bell easynote E6116.
You don't need dos prompt to format the HDD. You said you already tried to reinstall XP so I would assume you have a Windows XP boot disk. During the initial start up of the Windows XP installation from the CD you should be prompted with an option to format and/or re partition your hard drive.
Firstly however you should check in BIOS if you have an option under boot to "Try other boot devices" and if it is enabled plus make sure your HDD is set to the first position of boot order.
If you have any USB drivers plugged in disconnect them and try again.
If all this is to no avail your HDD or motherboard might be damaged. Try and replace the HDD see if that works.
Hope any of these help.
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