ATAPI incompatible press F1 to resume

Updated: 07/13/2023 by Computer Hope

If you receive the message "ATAPI incompatible, press F1 to resume" on your computer, follow these steps to resolve the issue.

Cable loose or not connected

If any hardware was recently added or the computer was recently moved, the hard drive or the CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) cables may have become loose or disconnected.

Verify that the hard drive, and the CD-ROM, CD-R (compact disc recordable) or CD-RW (compact disc re-writable) drive, have at least two or more cables connected to them. One cable should be a gray flat cable (data IDE/EIDE cable) and the other should be the power cable. The gray flat cable should connect to the motherboard or the interface card on your computer.

Caution

When inside the computer, ensure you know about ESD (electrostatic discharge) and its potential risks.

If the cables are connected properly, disconnect the data and power cables and reconnect them to ensure they are not loose.

BIOS values not set properly

If you have checked all IDE/EIDE/ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) cables as described above, but you continue to have the same problem, the IDE/EIDE/ATAPI device may not be set up properly in BIOS.

Verify your hard drive or CD-ROM drives are IDE/EIDE/ATAPI and properly configured in your BIOS setup. If the hard drive or CD (compact disc) drives are set up as Auto, values do not need to be checked.

How to enter and exit the BIOS or CMOS setup.

Bad hardware

If you tried the troubleshooting options above and continue to experience the same issues, your computer may have any of the following bad hardware devices: