Amiga 2000 can't boot from HD1 - boot from floppy?

[knagl]

Hey everyone:

I have an Amiga 2000 with a suspect hard drive.  It won't boot -- I get the error message "Not a DOS disk in device DH1"

If I disconnect the hard drive and boot from a workbench floppy, it works great -- I can access utilities, etc.  ...but I can't format the hard drive because it's not attached.

Can I force my Amiga to boot from a floppy with the hard drive still attached?  Is there some key sequence to press while it's starting up to "force" it to boot from the floppy, so then I can go in and re-format the hard drive?

Thanks!

[Amiduffer]

You can still boot from the WB floppy even with the HD connected.

Just press the two mouse keys before booting, click on df0: (making sure the Install disk is in) and run HDtoolbox to give the HD a looksee.

Be sure to read the manual on how to run HDtoolbox :rtfm:

[knagl]

The two mouse buttons were the trick - thanks!

[Amiduffer]

You're welcome. Anything else, don't hesitate to ask.

[knagl]

Well... since you asked.  

First, is there a manual online for HDtools?  I'm working without manuals.  

Second, when I launch HDtools, it tells me that there are "no drives attached".  Is it somewhat logical to perhaps assume that the 14-year-old hard drive is dead?

[knagl]

Actually, we determined that the drive is in fact dead.  Aah, well.  Thanks for the help!

[Amiduffer]

I just hope you backed up any important programs and files ;-)