Invalid BOOT Diskette message - am I screwed?

Please bear with me -- I am a self-educated computer novice (hey, I'm trying) so keep that in mind if/when responding. Yesterday, while online I got this screen indicating that my computer detected a problem. I tried rebooting and now keep getting this black screen with the ever so lovely phrase "Invalid Boot Diskette" "Insert Boot Diskette in A:" (just FYI - there is no disk in A. I reconnected some cables in the back, and thought that may have been the problem because I at one point I was able to get back to the Windows start up screen -- then it went back to the black screen.

Here's some info about my system (bought in 2001):
Dell Dimension 4100
BIOS Version - A06
Intel Pentium III Processor
Speed 933 MHz
System Bus freq - 133 MHz
Cache RAM - 256 kb
Total memory - 128 MB
Memory bank - 128 MB (PC133)
My processer serial number is [Disabled].

I (somehow) managed to get into Setup, and found the following BOOT info:
Quiet Boot - Enabled
Quick Boot - Disabled (should this be enabled?)

My boot device options are: Floppy, ARMD-FDD, ARMD-HDD, IDE-HDD, ATAPI-CDROM, DISABLED. [Can someone tell me the difference between the acronyms?]

Here's how my boot devices were listed:
1st Boot device - Floppy
2nd Boot device - ARMD-FDD
3rd Boot device - IDE-HDD
4th Boot device - ATAPI-CDROM
5th Boot device - DISABLED
[NOTE: someone suggested I change the 1st Boot to IDE-HDD; I tried that, it didn't work. Plus, I now only have 4 Boot devices listed instead of 5.]

The IDE Drive Configuration is:
Primary Master - 1st IDE
Primary slave - 2nd IDE
Secondary Master - 3rd IDE
Secondary slave - 4th IDE (I have no idea what all this means)

The bottom line question is this: am I screwed? I just want to be able to get back to the point where I can recover data (pictures, emails, resumes, etc.), then we're getting a new computer (this one is painfully slow). Is the boot device order correct? If I just click on Restore System Defaults, will everything get back to order without me losing data? If I change the 1st Boot drive to CD-ROM and try the repair/re-install CD's, will I lose everything?

I appreciate any and all help,...and thank everyone in advance for taking the time out in your busy day.

UPDATE!!! I went through Dell's diagnostics test -- all my LED lights in the back of the computer are all green, which according to their test procedures, indicates that it may not be a hardware problem but an operating system problem. I had WindowsMe, but upgraded to Windows XP. I have been reading about doing a repair with the WindowsXP CD,...but to do so, somewhere down the line I read that I need to change my BIOS so that the first boot device should be the ATAPI-CDROM. I'm just afraid of completely wiping out everything I had (family photos, etc.).

A Repair Install should not affect your data or settings. However if your data is very valuable I'd suggest using another computer to back up this hard drive before attempting to repair.

I have never had an issue with a Repair Install but it is always advised to backup any critical data.

Before you go there you can try this:

Boot the XP CD into the Recovery Console:

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

From here try the command:

FIXMBR

Thanks for the tip. The one problem I have, however, is that (right now) the computer won't even boot from the CD-ROM. When first turned on, I get the Dell screen (without the bar that "fills up" underneath), then it goes straight to the black screen with the "Invalid Boot Diskette" message. I've tried tapping/holding down both the F8 and F12 buttons on start up, and that doesn't work.

As I mentioned, when it sits in this state, the LED lights in the back are all green -- which supposedly indicates no hardware problem. When I go into Setup, however, the LED lights are G-G-G-Y, which is weird. After reading several hours of similar forum-reported problems, a myriad of suggestions are running around my info-jammed brain, including:

1. Reset the Bios to "Load Setup Defaults."
2. Make the Cd-ROM the first BIOS Boot Device.
3. Relace the motherboard battery.
4. Check/disconnect/reconnect all internal wiring.
5. Disconnect the floppy drive.
6. Clear the NAVRAM (as soon as I learn what that is).

I've never backed up a hard drive using another computer. Any suggestions in terms of a link that could walk me through the process?

Thanks again.

Perhaps now is a good time to do this as for all we know your computer might be DOA. Why try to fix it when you just going to replace it. There are several ways to get the data off of your hard drive. The easiest and most cost efficient way is to put the drive into another windows desktop computer and copy the files off of it. If you wanted you could copy the files off the hard drive, reformat the drive, and then use it as a secondary drive. The problem with this is that most manufacturers will try to consider your warranty void if you open up the computer. Another problem is if you bought a desktop that only had the bare minimum connections and slots. Also the biggest problem is if you get a laptop.

Another option is to use an external drive enclosure. This will turn your hard drive into an external drive for another computer. It won't void your warranty and it will work with a laptop. If you want to continue to use this then you really don't want to cheapen out on this.

Another option is to use an IDE to USB cable. However I don't recommend this since I don't know if they are any good or reliable. Also those will leave your hard drive exposed. Let us know if you have any more questions.

Thanks so much for responding. I could do your first suggestion, but the only option I have right now is my son's computer, and I don't want to screw his up/void his warranty. I guess I will probably try the external drive enclosure. Being a computer novice, I am guessing/hoping there are relatively easy instructions on how to set this up and transfer my important data, right? I am also guessing that I should/could buy my new computer first along with the EDE, then make the transfer, right? Do you recommend any of the EDE's,...or should I just go with the one that as rec'd the best reviews on the link you provided as well as other sites line cnet?

Can't thank you enough again for responding.

I've never bought one myself so I don't know what manufacturer to select. But look for something mid-priced with good reviews. Yes you can buy a computer and the enclosure or just the enclosure and use your son's. There should be instructions with the device. Look for one that shows some kind of nice box instead of a standard shipping box. Also don't get one that says "OEM" as that, although cheaper, won't have a manual and it might not have a cable. You should be able to figure it out. You only need to transfer your files and not windows its self.

Your Dell lights are interpreted as an "Other Failure":

Documentation

I recently worked a similar error here:

Dell Dimension 8100 won't boot up

Here is the 4100 Maintenance jumper:

Documentation

See if that gets you into Setup.

Hi Jephree-

Thanks again for trying to help.

I can get into Setup OK. Right now, I'm running an IDE Diagnostics, but it's taking a really long time. Screen presently reads "IDE Drive Diagnostics running, please wait...
Primary IDE Drive 0:".

Relative to the Maintenance jumper you've kindly linked me to above, it states I should write down all my settings. I wrote down all the info on the screens from Setup -- is this what they are talking about?

When in Setup, what if i just go to Exit then Load Setup Defaults? Someone suggested setting the first boot device to ATAPI CDRom then loading/running WinXP repair.

I would set the CDRom to boot first then try the Recovery Console: FIXMBR as I posted above.

If this fails then try a Repair Install.