loading win95

[tls68]

Please help. I'm trying to re-load win95 on a compaq presario with the original CD. I have reformatted hard drive using /q /u /s. When I turn on the computer, it appears to start reading the CD, but then stops and goes to the C: prompt (flashing the windows 95 screen).

How can I reload 95? :confused:

Also, how can I tell what the drive letter is for the CD?

[Archer]

Compaqs require a setup disk,available on their web site for your model,to reinstall the bios onto a hidden partition as its not on the motherboard like other normal PCs.

[tls68]

Thanks, I will try to find the setup. One other thing...When I put in a Norton disk and reboot, it loads that right away, but will not run win95. Is this a different problem?

[tls68]

I've tried to locate the setup files, but I must be in the wrong place. The only thing I've found on Compaq is a sofpaq file and it doesn't seem to work either. Is there any thing else I could try? Thanks again.

[Chosen One]

What you'll need to do is this, Scrap the Compaq!!!!!! Sorry, just kidding. :) Really it's not going to be too difficult if you have the Compaq restore CD. You don't have to worry about the diagnostics partition because when the drive is being reimaged from the CD that's recreated, all you need is a boot disk that will load CD drivers and give you a CD drive letter. You should be able to do that without having the diags partition on there. Another thought, and I've seen this before. Pop the restore CD into another system and brouse around the CD, there may be files to recreate the original boot disk on there. Sometimes they're thinking when they make those things. :D

Good Luck

[tls68]

Thanks...I agree, but thankfully it's not my laptop.
That's one of the problems I have..I don't have the restore CD. This person said when they bought the computer a few years ago, "Compaq didn't include the restore CD's because everything was installed and they felt it wasn't necessary", at least that is what I was told. I have a 98 boot disk, that get's me on, but that's it.

[Archer]

The Softpaq should be installed and thus enable the configuration of the bios prior to installation of the OS,looking at the website the only notebook I can see is a Prosignia not the one that you mentioned which only appears in the desktops.Anyway heres the link if its any use to you: http://www.compaq.com/support/files/desktops/us/download/7323.html

[Jauja]

HEY ALL.... WAIT!!!

you all know that compaq SUCKS!!!

i have a freaking compaq... right now i have freaking ODBC problems... so im stuck!!! (no Access, VC++, VB and anything with data access!!!... (yeah SQL server nothing!!!))


and yes.... ITS THE FREAKING PC!

i got this notebook 2 years ago... and ive reinstalled the OS about 800 times in 2 YEARS!!!!!

everytime the pc works WORSE!!! and sometimes better...

about RESTORE CD i dont suggest to use them... coz... YOU DONT WANT FRESH INSTALLATION OF WINDOWS... FULLED UP WITH %&#"$)=$%%$$....

so i suggest to go to any Search engine... and type "windows boot disk" and enjoy... just be patient... and search deep!!!!

[Chosen One]

My Bad, I thought you said you had the restore. Well then you will have to download the softpaq from them for the diags partition and set that up, then get yourself a Win 95 or 98 CD and install from there. You will need the boot disk to do this.

Good luck!

[tls68]

Hi guys. I'll try the sofpaq again, it didn't work the first time (that's if I'm downloading it right). I already have a 95 boot disk and Installation disk. the stupid thing won't read the CD when I turn the pc on...it just shows the screen like it wants to load and then goes to c: prompt.

Thanks

[Chosen One]

What model Compaq do you have? I'll see if I can find it for you. Usually when you download the softpaq it's a self extracting exe file, when you run it it gives you a utility that will create the disks for you, usually 3 disks.

[tls68]

It is a compaq Presario 1210. I saved the .exe file to a disk, put that disk in the laptop and tried run it. It ran across some errors before it even got to the part of creating disks. Maybe I did something wrong from start. Thanks in advance if you can find another one.

[Chapin]

Originally posted by tls68:
It is a compaq Presario 1210. I saved the .exe file to a disk, put that disk in the laptop and tried run it. It ran across some errors before it even got to the part of creating disks. Maybe I did something wrong from start. Thanks in advance if you can find another one.

This sounds like an older laptop, Compaq didn't ship restore floppies back then, you can call Compaq and order the disks, but it is is the win95 files. All you need is to download the latest ROMPAQ (bios upgrade) for your system, download the setup rompaq (bios) and use any other win95 disk, make sure your boot disk has CD support, after the os is loaded you will have to download any drivers you are missing.
And yes Compaq sucks the big one!!!

[Archer]

Just as a side issue are there not other manufacturers who also do the same hidden partition bios setup trick?
I think some of the newer Packard Bells do dont they?

[Chosen One]

I just realized that the presario 1210 was a laptop, you shouldn't need the diags partition on that. I went on Compaq's site for that system and they didn't have one. They had sound drivers etc. I believe that both the floppy drive and CD drive are in at the same time on that model, you don't have to swap them out. Hopefully that's the case, it will make things easier. If it's the type that swap let me know and I'll help you with that. Well then, if you have a bootable floppy that will load CD drivers, you can boot up to the A:\ prompt. If you don't have one you can download it here. http://support.micronpc.com/file_lib/boot.html Download the Windows 98 boot disk, it will have a boot menu that will give you the option of booting with cd drivers. Once you boot up and fdisk and format and all that good stuff, go to your cd drive letter and type setup, and there you go.

Good luck!

[tls68]

Thanks..I am going to download another bootdisk. I don't know what the drive letter is for the CD-Rom. I've tried them all and non seemed to work.

[tls68]

Thanks guys, downloading another boot file worked great. The disk I have must only be a startup disk. Win95 loaded fine for a compaq. The only thing left now is to find the drivers for the display and modem from compaq and I'm good to go.

Thanks again for all your help.
:cool:

[Chosen One]

:D No Problem! :D