BleepingComputer.com: I can only boot with select boot device- hard disk

I have a HP DV6600 with a fresh HP factory install of Vista SP1. Newest Bios update, and virus free. When I boot up i see the HP screen with boot options down across the bottom(F2, F9, F10 etc) then it goes to a black screen with a blinking cursor in upper left corner. The hard drive lcd does not blink at all. If I reboot and press F9 to select boot options that menu comes up. The only option there is Internal Hard disk or Enter Setup. If I select Internal Hard disk it will boot every time and run great from there on out, untill I go to restart it again. Any suggestions?
Bob

Sounds like your hard drive...is not your first boot device...it should be.

http://www.pctechbytes.com/hp/hp-black-screen-with-blinking-cursor

Louis

Thanks for your reply but I did do that before I posted. I reset bios to default, reseated ram, installed new hard disk, replaced DVD-RW, Updated bios, reinstalled vista. and still have the same issue. f9 select harddrive, starts. if i just start normally it comes to the black screen. Anybody else got any other suggestions? Please

I've read everything you said you did - and that's great, but please do check the boot device order in bios again anyway. Make sure the HD is the first device listed.

If your 1st boot device is changing...without your manual intervention...chances are you need to replace your CMOS battery.

http://www.vendio.com/stores/CMOSBATTERIES/item/hp-cmos-battery/replacement-cmos-rtc-clock-bat/lid=3392418

http://www.insidemylaptop.com/disassemble-hp-pavilion-dv6500-dv6600-dv6700-dv6800-notebooks/

Louis

My first boot is not changing, I dint think anyway. But the only option in the boot selection screen is internal hard drive. In regards to the cmos battery, it holds the time and date.Still Stumped