I installed a new battery and, per manual, began c...

While in the BIOS setup utility, go through the tabs/menus looking for BOOT sequence. Configure the laptop to boot from CD-Drive before any other drive. Have the installation CD in drive.Save the changes made to the BIOS configuration, and exit the BIOS. Reboot.
If the installation medium itself does not have a problem, you should be able to boot from it and have the opportunity to install the operating system.

Try pressing "F2" or "Del" at system start. This should get you into the BIOS setup. As you don't say what model you have, I cannot advise any further.

NTLDR missing is typical of Windows not findind some system files during the boot, I believe nothing wrong with the hardware.

First enter in the BIOS and be sure that in the boot device list you have the CD or DVD before the HDD.
Second Boot the PC from CD with the Windows CD and try to repair the Windows installation.

http://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/45n3684_01.pdf

To enter the BIOS Setup Utility, do as follows: 1. Turn on the computer. 2. When the Lenovo logo comes up, immediately press F2 to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.Note: If the customer has set a supervisor password, the BIOS Setup Utility menu appears after the password is entered. If the customer has set a user password, you can start the utility by entering that password; however, you cannot change all of the parameters.

Please let me know if you need more support.

Best regards

This "0251" error indicates that the CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor; a memory chip that holds data the computer needs each time it starts, such as the current time and the BIOS [Basic Input/Output System]) has become corrupted or damaged, typically because of one of these three reasons: A BIOS update has gone awry, a recently installed program incorrectly modified the BIOS, or the computer battery is running out of power.

If you recently upgraded the BIOS, the first thing you should do is edit the BIOS settings. The BIOS developer can help you access the BIOS Setup utility and configure the BIOS accordingly. Likewise, if you recently installed a program that may have modified the BIOS, contact the software developer for assistance in reconfiguring the BIOS for the new program.
If you did neither of these things, the culprit is probably a faltering battery. You can probably replace the battery on your own, but the process varies widely depending on the type and age of the computer. We suggest consulting the documentation that came with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer to determine the type of battery involved, where to purchase a new one, and how to replace it. You can also access the BIOS Setup utility and write down the BIOS settings to reconfigure the BIOS correctly after installing the replacement battery. Once the new battery is in place, you will have to reconfigure the BIOS and reset the system time, but the error message shouldn't appear again.

hope this helps

Hi,
For this issue, you must calibrate the battery.
This will solve the problem.
There are 2 options to calibrate the battery.
Some bios version support this and have this options in it.
To go in bios press DEL button or f2 button.

Second option is run utility from windows.
This option will be best if you are not so accustomed to bios
Normally you have special utility software that came with the batch of drivers.
This are provided as part of support from the manufacturer.
It will take you 4 to 5 hours to complete the process.
While calibrating it will charge and discharge the battery several times.
Try this
OK

Unless you took the batteries to a service center, I am dubious about your ability to confirm the main battery is holding a charge. The average lifespan of these kinds of batteries range between 3-5 years and is likely at the end of its lifespan. This would explain the diminishing performance over the last year if there were significant power or power circuit issues, they would likely be observed on AC power as well. This model of laptop requires the battery calibration utility be run in order for the laptop use the battery. In fact, the battery can show a full charge and still not function if the utility and battery have not been properly configured.. . . instructions on HOW TO do this below. If this doesn't FixYa then the battery will need to be replaced (links to replacement sources) www.BatteriesOvernight.com/HP-Batteries,----- OR --- www.new-laptop-battery.com/Compaq/?Compaq-Armada-E500-battery.htm. You will still have to run the configuration utility when you receive your new battery.
Link to Armada e500 manuals:http://bizsupport2.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01124216/c01124216.pdf
How to run config utility: Standby and hibernation must be disabled for the battery to discharge completely and shut off. To use the Battery Calibration utility, first identify whether the battery requires calibration by launching the Power Management applet as described above. On the Battery Calibration tab, all installed batteries will be displayed in the primary list box. Next to each battery name will be an indication of whether calibration is required for that battery. If calibration is necessary, the phrase “Needs Calibration” will be displayed. Select the battery to be calibrated, and click the Start Calibration button. During calibration, the utility will display an icon on the Windows System Tray to indicate that calibration is in progress. Each phase of calibration (charging or discharging) will also be displayed. Calibration is complete when the icon is no longer displayed in the System Tray. Battery calibration requires several hours for completion. If you choose to continue using the computer during the calibration process, it must be connected to AC power. The calibration process must be allowed to finish without interruption. Performing any of the following actions will prematurely terminate calibration:
Clicking the Stop Calibrating button in the Compaq Power tab.
Unplugging AC power from the computer.
Unplugging the calibrating battery. (This action may result in data loss if a second battery is not installed.)
Undocking the computer.
Pressing the power or standby button.
Powering down or suspending the machine by using the Windows menu. IMPORTANT: If the calibration process is interrupted, it cannot be resumed. You must restart the computer and start the process again.
CALIBRATING WITHOUT THE UTILITY To calibrate a battery on computers without the battery calibration utility, complete the following steps: 1. Remove the second battery, if present, so that only the battery needing calibration remains in the computer. 2. Dock the computer or connect the computer to AC power. 3. Turn on the computer. 4. Check the current battery capacity level by positioning the cursor over the battery icon in the system tray. 5. Allow the battery to charge to 100%. You may use the computer, but the recharging process will require more time. 6. Set the system to “drain” mode on the battery conservation settings by pressing Fn+F7, or select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Power (or Compaq Power in Windows NT). 7. Undock the computer or disconnect the computer from AC power. 8. Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode by clicking Start > Shut Down > Restart the Computer in MS-DOS Mode > OK. 9. Allow the computer to discharge until it shuts off. 10. Dock the computer or reconnect AC power. 11. Allow the computer to charge again to 100% as in Step 5.

please install your audio driver Via ac97 driver express install

Open up the inside of the notebook, and you should see a watch style battery. Just remove it while the notebook is turned off and unplugged, and that will reset the BIOS for you.

hai, Harish
your problem seems not BIOS related.
The problem is that some of your installation is not completed.
If you have the XP CD, insert it and complete the installation.

For changing the BIOS setup, just after switching on the computer, press DEL or F2 (refer motherboard manual for the correct key) to start the BIOS utility program to start.
Be careful before changing anithing in the BIOS.
Rabby

do one thing go for the othr key board and try if working fine then you key board problem after that is not working then go for the install the new o/s.