Com-crap probs, continually install Windows yet it won't boot...
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Com-crap probs, continually install Windows yet it won't boot...

  1. July 27th, 2002, 06:13 PM #1
    JungleMan1
    JungleMan1 is offline
    Adm¡nistrator JungleMan1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    2,463

    Com-crap probs, continually install Windows yet it won't boot...

    OK, got a Compaq, for free, dead hard drive.

    So I threw in my Maxtor 20G that was sitting around and doing nothing, popped in a Win2K CD, and figured it would be all honky-dury...nope, it goes through the first install phase where it copies files, etc, but after that refuses to boot. Leaves me with a blinking cursor.

    At first I thought it was one of those bits with the "BIOS" on the hard disk but I just flashed the BIOS and it didn't use the hard disk at all.

    WTF?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. July 27th, 2002, 06:18 PM #2
    techs
    techs is offline
    Registered User techs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    In one of the really, really Blue states.
    Posts
    5,159
    did you check the boot sequence in the bios? for compaq usually f10 when you see the flashing light on the right top.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  3. July 27th, 2002, 06:23 PM #3
    JungleMan1
    JungleMan1 is offline
    Adm¡nistrator JungleMan1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    2,463
    Yep F10.

    Thanks for the suggestion but it didn't work. I set hard drive as first boot device and no success. I've reinstalled about 3 times, formatting each time.

    This is just a freakin' party.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  4. July 27th, 2002, 06:47 PM #4
    NooNoo
    NooNoo is offline
    Driver Terrier NooNoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2000
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    31,824
    Use the 2k cd - boot from cd - run the command line repair console, type in fixboot... try again

    What model compaq exactly?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  5. July 27th, 2002, 06:55 PM #5
    JungleMan1
    JungleMan1 is offline
    Adm¡nistrator JungleMan1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    2,463
    Originally posted by NooNoo
    Use the 2k cd - boot from cd - run the command line repair console, type in fixboot... try again

    What model compaq exactly?
    I'll try that thanks.

    It's a 5835. Not like I can really complain because it's free but still would be nice to get it working. If I ever get this thing to work I'll be asking about some networking possibilities and maybe using this as a small web/network server or just a place to stash files.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  6. July 27th, 2002, 07:08 PM #6
    JungleMan1
    JungleMan1 is offline
    Adm¡nistrator JungleMan1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    2,463
    Doesn't boot from the CD, yet I put in a Boot CD and it works fine.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  7. July 27th, 2002, 07:16 PM #7
    NooNoo
    NooNoo is offline
    Driver Terrier NooNoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2000
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    31,824
    Compaq hardware checker This might show up any problems you have...
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  8. July 27th, 2002, 08:21 PM #8
    Radical Dreamer
    Radical Dreamer is offline
    Avatar Goes Here Radical Dreamer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Fairmont, West Virginia
    Posts
    4,866
    I had nearly the same problem with a 5852, it was fixed by a new HDD. And yes I saw that you already changed it, but try another just for ****s and giggles
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  9. July 27th, 2002, 08:26 PM #9
    JungleMan1
    JungleMan1 is offline
    Adm¡nistrator JungleMan1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Posts
    2,463
    Totally fdisked the drive, everything, still didn't work, but finally remembered to try an fdisk /mbr and it appears to be working now.

    BTW on another side note, anyone ever tried replacing a floppy in a Compaq? Ugh, there is one pin on the MB header, cable, and drive itself that is missing and since I don't have the floppy drive right now the cable wouldn't fit into my spare floppy drive. Thankfully the motherboard took a spare floppy cable I had lying around but what a pain in the arse...
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules