System is acting very strange - What do I do?

July 16, 2007

Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem to work

properly.

Apart from all the hard drive and boot problems, there are more problems

with the drivers on the computer.

Here are the problems:

1. When I finally decided to try it (after some considerable time) it said

that it found a permanent hard drive failure. What The?

2. At startup, the sound driver produces this loud 'BEEP'. I have no idea

what it is, but it also happens when I insert the PC Card. There is also no

sound.

3. After installing a mouse driver from a CD, it told me that the driver

would be ready to use - after resolving a conflict. Do I fix it? Yes. But it

doesn't let me!

4. The display settings are using the wrong color. "John, just change it in

the Display properties!". Can't do that either. I was thinking of updating

the drivers anyway.

5. After running a few programs on the computer, decided to stop editing

the system files through DOS. Computer screen goes white and system stops

responding.

6. There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed on it.

Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the person who gave it to

us didn't pick up the laptop!

7. The keyboard doesn't work while I am in the 'Windows 98 Startup Menu'.

Am I suppose to update the BIOS and Keyboard drivers as well?

That is just some of the problems I found out. I suppose it is a virus, but

I don't know how to install an antivirus program on it without the screen

going blank.

I am going to try the System Restore and MS-DOS Scandisk and Scanreg, but

while it does that, I am going to have to study how to identify and remove a

virus.

Any help is really appreciated.

John.

July 16, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:FA0DFC70-F25E-4665-A5C9-319EEF1A5B5E@microsoft.com...

| Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem to work

| properly.

| Apart from all the hard drive and boot problems, there are more problems

| with the drivers on the computer.

|

| Here are the problems:

|

| 1. When I finally decided to try it (after some considerable time) it

said

| that it found a permanent hard drive failure. What The?

|

| 2. At startup, the sound driver produces this loud 'BEEP'. I have no idea

| what it is, but it also happens when I insert the PC Card. There is also

no

| sound.

|

| 3. After installing a mouse driver from a CD, it told me that the driver

| would be ready to use - after resolving a conflict. Do I fix it? Yes. But

it

| doesn't let me!

|

| 4. The display settings are using the wrong color. "John, just change it

in

| the Display properties!". Can't do that either. I was thinking of updating

| the drivers anyway.

|

| 5. After running a few programs on the computer, decided to stop editing

| the system files through DOS. Computer screen goes white and system stops

| responding.

|

| 6. There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed on

it.

| Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the person who gave it

to

| us didn't pick up the laptop!

|

| 7. The keyboard doesn't work while I am in the 'Windows 98 Startup Menu'.

| Am I suppose to update the BIOS and Keyboard drivers as well?

|

| That is just some of the problems I found out. I suppose it is a virus,

but

| I don't know how to install an antivirus program on it without the screen

| going blank.

|

| I am going to try the System Restore and MS-DOS Scandisk and Scanreg, but

| while it does that, I am going to have to study how to identify and remove

a

| virus.

|

| Any help is really appreciated.

|

| John.

Sure, maybe we can help... but you really have to give us something to work

with...

How about what make and model for the first answer.

How about the exact error messages.

How about what diagnostic routines you have already tried...

As for the beeps, likely BIOS attempts to advise of issues, was there any

pattern?

And did you check the internal batteries for CMOS/BIOS and any other

additional (some have three).

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

________

July 16, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Opps, and Brittanica 2005 is likely an encyclopedia...

| --

| MEB

| http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

| ________

|

July 16, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:FA0DFC70-F25E-4665-A5C9-319EEF1A5B5E@microsoft.com...

> Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem to work

> properly.

> Apart from all the hard drive and boot problems, there are more problems

> with the drivers on the computer.

>

> Here are the problems:

>

> 1. When I finally decided to try it (after some considerable time) it said

> that it found a permanent hard drive failure. What The?

Download/run a disk diagnostic utility to check the drives integrity from the HD

manufacturer support site. If the drive is done in or has many bad sectors which

indicates it's on its way south, you'll need to install another drive in its place.

Will it boot to Safe Mode?

Do you have another PC available to connect the HD in as a slave to see if you can

access the disk?

>

> 2. At startup, the sound driver produces this loud 'BEEP'. I have no idea

> what it is, but it also happens when I insert the PC Card. There is also no

> sound.

Check your beep pattern for the BIOS installed here for causes:

http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm

http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/dos/

>

> 3. After installing a mouse driver from a CD, it told me that the driver

> would be ready to use - after resolving a conflict. Do I fix it? Yes. But it

> doesn't let me!

If you can boot to Safe Mode you will be able to remove any/all unessential device

drivers not needed to use Windows. Once removed shut down and remove/disconnect

any/all hardware peripherals/adapters leaving only the monitor, mouse and keyboard

connected. If you can successfully boot to Windows, shut down, install the video

adapter and see if it will boot successfully to Windows. If you can, shut down,

install the sound card and boot. Keep doing this until all devices are installed or

the sytem fails to boot due to the device just installed, that of course is if you

were able to boot with only the mon/kb/mouse.

>

> 4. The display settings are using the wrong color. "John, just change it in

> the Display properties!". Can't do that either. I was thinking of updating

> the drivers anyway.

That's what you need to do if you can get into Windows.

>

> 5. After running a few programs on the computer, decided to stop editing

> the system files through DOS. Computer screen goes white and system stops

> responding.

Editing System files, not good. What System files?

>

> 6. There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed on it.

> Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the person who gave it to

> us didn't pick up the laptop!

You sure it's not Encyclopedia Britticana?

If this is a laptop I guess you'll have to skip removing physical harware.

>

> 7. The keyboard doesn't work while I am in the 'Windows 98 Startup Menu'.

> Am I suppose to update the BIOS and Keyboard drivers as well?

The way it's looking I'm not sure if anything will help.

>

> That is just some of the problems I found out. I suppose it is a virus, but

> I don't know how to install an antivirus program on it without the screen

> going blank.

>

> I am going to try the System Restore and MS-DOS Scandisk and Scanreg, but

> while it does that, I am going to have to study how to identify and remove a

> virus.

http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/dos/

>

> Any help is really appreciated.

>

> John.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

July 16, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Watch this, MEB, as I craft a properly composed and edited usenet

reply. Something you are unable or too lazy to do.

John wrote:

> Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem

> to work properly.

>

> 1. it said that it found a permanent hard drive failure.

> What The?

Your hard drive is failing, and diagnosing all other problems is not

useful until or unless you obtain a new hard drive and re-install

windows-98.

Hard drives have a finite lifespan, which is generally 5 years. While

drives made in the past 3-4 years have really good MTBF

(mean-time-between-failure), drives made back in 1998 - 2002 had lower

MTBF's.

July 16, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:469B7B48.F8C56E0A@Guy.com...

| Watch this, MEB, as I craft a properly composed and edited usenet

| reply. Something you are unable or too lazy to do.

|

| John wrote:

|

| > Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem

| > to work properly.

| >

| > 1. it said that it found a permanent hard drive failure.

| > What The?

|

| Your hard drive is failing, and diagnosing all other problems is not

| useful until or unless you obtain a new hard drive and re-install

| windows-98.

|

| Hard drives have a finite lifespan, which is generally 5 years. While

| drives made in the past 3-4 years have really good MTBF

| (mean-time-between-failure), drives made back in 1998 - 2002 had lower

| MTBF's.

Its a laptop idiot!!! Diagnostic routines for these older laptops must

first deal with the potential internal batteries and their replacement...

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

________

July 16, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

MEB wrote:

> | > Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem

> | > to work properly.

> Its a laptop idiot!!!

Based only on this cryptic paragraph:

"There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed

on it. Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the

person who gave it to us didn't pick up the laptop!"

The last sentence doesn't make sense.

Anyone who doesn't know what "Britticana" is probably isin't ready for

computers anyways.

> Diagnostic routines for these older laptops must first deal

> with the potential internal batteries and their replacement...

You can putz with batteries all you want. If we are dealing with a

laptop, the OP is probably running it off it's AC adaptor anyways.

"it said that it found a permanent hard drive failure"

A hard drive with media errors will give all sorts of unpredictable

software and operational errors. Unless there is important personal

information or files on it, the best course of action is to replace

the drive and re-install the OS and apps.

July 17, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:469C00B7.2E26BA68@Guy.com...

| MEB wrote:

|

| > | > Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem

| > | > to work properly.

|

| > Its a laptop idiot!!!

|

| Based only on this cryptic paragraph:

|

| "There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed

| on it. Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the

| person who gave it to us didn't pick up the laptop!"

|

| The last sentence doesn't make sense.

|

| Anyone who doesn't know what "Britticana" is probably isin't ready for

| computers anyways.

Leave the person alone, you aren't exactly god's gift to mankind.... nor

are you mensa material...

|

| > Diagnostic routines for these older laptops must first deal

| > with the potential internal batteries and their replacement...

|

| You can putz with batteries all you want. If we are dealing with a

| laptop, the OP is probably running it off it's AC adaptor anyways.

|

| "it said that it found a permanent hard drive failure"

|

| A hard drive with media errors will give all sorts of unpredictable

| software and operational errors. Unless there is important personal

| information or files on it, the best course of action is to replace

| the drive and re-install the OS and apps.

YEEEEAAAHHH, but with a laptop you have suspend/hibernation issues, loss of

CMOS settings, and a myriad of other potentials to deal with, which are

SPECIFIC/UNIQUE to laptops/notebooks.

Plugging it into a power adapter corrects NONE of the issues the deep

discharge or extended lack of use will cause with laptops/notebooks, and the

potential IS that the hard drive may APPEAR as bad, when its nothing more

than bad batteries/power [which may still take a charge if left plugged in,

or need replaced] and resetting the laptop to the proper settings.

So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you as

semi-intelligent,,, let this group continue to try to guide these people

that come through here for help...

July 17, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

MEB spewed:

> So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you

> as semi-intelligent,,,

You really are an ass hole.

July 17, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:469C0C89.76E8D91E@Guy.com...

| MEB spewed:

|

| > So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you

| > as semi-intelligent,,,

|

| You really are an ass hole.

Well, let's review your history here...

When you brought your ideas to this group regarding IE hacks, I was the

ONLY one who attempted to work with you on that... you didn't apparently

pick-up on TESTING techniques required ....

When you brought your ideas concerning hard drives to this group, we all

tried to direct you to the materials you needed to understand and consider

for your presentation... glad you picked up on SOME of that.. to bad you

didn't grasp the full picture...

When you started your "you don't need firewalls anymore" we but in

particular I, tried to direct you to the FACTS of networking and Internet

use, regretfully that was apparently beyond your abilities to understand...

Shall I go through other of your posts here?????

And here you are trying to direct someone to spend money for something

BEFORE you have verified that is the problem....

So perhaps I may appear to be an *AH* NOW, but really, you need to THINK

before you type... and let those who do understand SRTSP, apply them.

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

________

July 17, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

I can answer most of those questions.

The model is a Compaq Armada, however, I do not know the date that it was

manafactured. The exact error messages looked something like this:

"IntelliSafe detected a permanant hard disk error"

I have tried to create a new user account, editing the 'WIN.ini' file and

deleting all the users, but none of those worked.

Yes, there was a pattern for the beeps - There were 2 short rising beeps,

and it also happens when the PC Card is inserted.

No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the laptop

does not charge at all.

I hope this could answer some questions.

John.

MEB wrote:

> Sure, maybe we can help... but you really have to give us something to work

> with...

>

> How about what make and model for the first answer.

>

> How about the exact error messages.

>

> How about what diagnostic routines you have already tried...

>

> As for the beeps, likely BIOS attempts to advise of issues, was there any

> pattern?

>

> And did you check the internal batteries for CMOS/BIOS and any other

> additional (some have three).

>

> --

> MEB

> http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

> ________

>

July 17, 2007

Anger Management!

Anger Management!

"MEB spewed:

> So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you

> as semi-intelligent,,,

You really are an ass hole." - 98 Guy

"Well, let's review your history here...

When you brought your ideas to this group regarding IE hacks, I was the

ONLY one who attempted to work with you on that... you didn't apparently

pick-up on TESTING techniques required ....

When you brought your ideas concerning hard drives to this group, we all

tried to direct you to the materials you needed to understand and consider

for your presentation... glad you picked up on SOME of that.. to bad you

didn't grasp the full picture...

When you started your "you don't need firewalls anymore" we but in

particular I, tried to direct you to the FACTS of networking and Internet

use, regretfully that was apparently beyond your abilities to understand...

Shall I go through other of your posts here?????

And here you are trying to direct someone to spend money for something

BEFORE you have verified that is the problem....

So perhaps I may appear to be an *AH* NOW, but really, you need to THINK

before you type... and let those who do understand SRTSP, apply them." - MBE

-----------------------------------------------------

NOW LETS GET OVER THIS CRAP AND GET ON WITH LIFE!!! OK?

July 17, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:903C8DD2-AABB-4E13-A58B-2372C8E791D3@microsoft.com...

| I can answer most of those questions.

|

| The model is a Compaq Armada, however, I do not know the date that it was

| manafactured. The exact error messages looked something like this:

It still may be useful to have the model number if available... like e***,

v***, 7400, 7800, m300, m700, etc.

|

| "IntelliSafe detected a permanant hard disk error"

Okay, doesn't look good:

United States Patent 6980381 -

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6980381-description.html

But on the HP/Compaq site there is some mention of specific hard drives

[Hitachi,,,] with problems, apparently requiring a firmware update/upgrade.

But without the model number this is all a "shot in the dark".

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Product.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodClassId=-1&prodTypeId=321957&prodCatId=82710&prodSubCatId=89335 -

pick your model

|

| I have tried to create a new user account, editing the 'WIN.ini' file and

| deleting all the users, but none of those worked.

Okay, NIX the file modifications for a bit...

|

| Yes, there was a pattern for the beeps - There were 2 short rising beeps,

| and it also happens when the PC Card is inserted.

Let's get the model and specs out of the way....

|

| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the

laptop

| does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather than

too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the interior

batteries [CMOS/other] need checked. It has been noted [laptop forums

mainly], that some laptops do not work well without SOME battery power

available.

|

| I hope this could answer some questions.

|

| John.

They did, and it doesn't look good, but let's at least look at the specific

model number specs. and issues to make sure...

|

| MEB wrote:

| > Sure, maybe we can help... but you really have to give us something to

work

| > with...

| >

| > How about what make and model for the first answer.

| >

| > How about the exact error messages.

| >

| > How about what diagnostic routines you have already tried...

| >

| > As for the beeps, likely BIOS attempts to advise of issues, was there

any

| > pattern?

| >

| > And did you check the internal batteries for CMOS/BIOS and any other

| > additional (some have three).

| >

| > --

| > MEB

| > ________

| >

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

________

July 17, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

"MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>|

>| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the

>| laptop does not charge at all.

>

> That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather

> than

> too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

> interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard

drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to

be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will

forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked the

BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want

to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program if

available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

August 7, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key combination!

We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no

recovery disk etc.

I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of

electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS

Setup.

I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

"Gordon Freeman" wrote:

> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>

> >|

> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the

> >| laptop does not charge at all.

> >

> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather

> > than

> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

>

> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard

> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to

> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

>

> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will

> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

>

> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked the

> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want

> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program if

> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

>

August 7, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

You don't know what make/model the machine is?

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

> Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

> combination!

>

> We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no

> recovery disk etc.

>

> I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

> battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of

> electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS

> Setup.

>

> I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

>

> "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

>

>> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>>

>> >|

>> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the

>> >| laptop does not charge at all.

>> >

>> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather

>> > than

>> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

>> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

>>

>> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

>> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard

>> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to

>> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

>>

>> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

>> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

>> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will

>> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

>> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

>> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

>>

>> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked

>> the

>> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want

>> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program

>> if

>> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

>> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

>>

August 7, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Sorry, missed the previous post.

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

> Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

> combination!

>

> We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no

> recovery disk etc.

>

> I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

> battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of

> electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS

> Setup.

>

> I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

>

> "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

>

>> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>>

>> >|

>> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the

>> >| laptop does not charge at all.

>> >

>> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather

>> > than

>> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

>> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

>>

>> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

>> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard

>> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to

>> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

>>

>> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

>> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

>> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will

>> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

>> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

>> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

>>

>> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked

>> the

>> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want

>> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program

>> if

>> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

>> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

>>

August 7, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what model

number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the BIOS

battery that I came across:

http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has

some interesting hints.

Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the main

battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's not

really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those

things are NOT fun to work on.

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

> Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

> combination!

>

> We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no

> recovery disk etc.

>

> I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

> battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of

> electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS

> Setup.

>

> I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

>

> "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

>

>> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>>

>> >|

>> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the

>> >| laptop does not charge at all.

>> >

>> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather

>> > than

>> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

>> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

>>

>> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

>> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard

>> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to

>> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

>>

>> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

>> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

>> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will

>> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

>> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

>> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

>>

>> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked

>> the

>> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want

>> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program

>> if

>> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

>> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

>>

August 7, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Model Number? Sure!

Compaq Armada 1592DT

Hope it helps!

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what model

> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the BIOS

> battery that I came across:

> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has

> some interesting hints.

>

> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the main

> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's not

> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those

> things are NOT fun to work on.

>

> --

> Gary S. Terhune

> MS-MVP Shell/User

> http://www.grystmill.com

>

> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

> > combination!

> >

> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no

> > recovery disk etc.

> >

> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of

> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS

> > Setup.

> >

> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

> >

> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

> >

> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

> >>

> >> >|

> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the

> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.

> >> >

> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather

> >> > than

> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

> >>

> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard

> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to

> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

> >>

> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will

> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

> >>

> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked

> >> the

> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want

> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program

> >> if

> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

> >>

>

August 7, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Maybe this will help you.

http://tinyurl.com/3xu2ap

Did you manage to get into BIOS yet? F10 work?

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:ED095E07-DD46-4D09-88B0-1BA8F0D0516F@microsoft.com...

> Model Number? Sure!

>

> Compaq Armada 1592DT

>

> Hope it helps!

>

> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

>

>> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what

>> model

>> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the

>> BIOS

>> battery that I came across:

>> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has

>> some interesting hints.

>>

>> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the

>> main

>> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's

>> not

>> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those

>> things are NOT fun to work on.

>>

>> --

>> Gary S. Terhune

>> MS-MVP Shell/User

>> http://www.grystmill.com

>>

>> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

>> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

>> > combination!

>> >

>> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions,

>> > no

>> > recovery disk etc.

>> >

>> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

>> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts

>> > of

>> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into

>> > BIOS/CMOS

>> > Setup.

>> >

>> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

>> >

>> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

>> >

>> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>> >>

>> >> >|

>> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in

>> >> >the

>> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.

>> >> >

>> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect*

>> >> > rather

>> >> > than

>> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

>> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

>> >>

>> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

>> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different

>> >> hard

>> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed

>> >> to

>> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

>> >>

>> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

>> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

>> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it

>> >> will

>> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

>> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

>> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

>> >>

>> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked

>> >> the

>> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd

>> >> want

>> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics

>> >> program

>> >> if

>> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

>> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

>> >>

>>

August 7, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some

circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into BIOS/CMOS

setup...

I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and reply.

Thank you for the link.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> Maybe this will help you.

> http://tinyurl.com/3xu2ap

>

> Did you manage to get into BIOS yet? F10 work?

>

> --

> Gary S. Terhune

> MS-MVP Shell/User

> http://www.grystmill.com

>

> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:ED095E07-DD46-4D09-88B0-1BA8F0D0516F@microsoft.com...

> > Model Number? Sure!

> >

> > Compaq Armada 1592DT

> >

> > Hope it helps!

> >

> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> >

> >> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what

> >> model

> >> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the

> >> BIOS

> >> battery that I came across:

> >> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has

> >> some interesting hints.

> >>

> >> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the

> >> main

> >> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's

> >> not

> >> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those

> >> things are NOT fun to work on.

> >>

> >> --

> >> Gary S. Terhune

> >> MS-MVP Shell/User

> >> http://www.grystmill.com

> >>

> >> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

> >> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

> >> > combination!

> >> >

> >> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions,

> >> > no

> >> > recovery disk etc.

> >> >

> >> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

> >> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts

> >> > of

> >> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into

> >> > BIOS/CMOS

> >> > Setup.

> >> >

> >> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

> >> >

> >> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

> >> >

> >> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

> >> >>

> >> >> >|

> >> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in

> >> >> >the

> >> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect*

> >> >> > rather

> >> >> > than

> >> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

> >> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

> >> >>

> >> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

> >> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different

> >> >> hard

> >> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed

> >> >> to

> >> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

> >> >>

> >> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

> >> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

> >> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it

> >> >> will

> >> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

> >> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

> >> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

> >> >>

> >> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked

> >> >> the

> >> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd

> >> >> want

> >> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics

> >> >> program

> >> >> if

> >> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

> >> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

> >> >>

> >>

>

August 7, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

From the manual:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_284809-003_rev3_us/TPM_284809-003_rev3_us.pdf

To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu, follow these

steps:

1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu. (Or turn on

power.)

2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of the screen.

IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds. If you do not

press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:6CB83C17-7A90-4C03-859A-5E71BDC0EFE5@microsoft.com...

> Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some

> circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into BIOS/CMOS

> setup...

>

> I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

>

> If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and reply.

> Thank you for the link.

>

> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

>

>> Maybe this will help you.

>> http://tinyurl.com/3xu2ap

>>

>> Did you manage to get into BIOS yet? F10 work?

>>

>> --

>> Gary S. Terhune

>> MS-MVP Shell/User

>> http://www.grystmill.com

>>

>> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:ED095E07-DD46-4D09-88B0-1BA8F0D0516F@microsoft.com...

>> > Model Number? Sure!

>> >

>> > Compaq Armada 1592DT

>> >

>> > Hope it helps!

>> >

>> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

>> >

>> >> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what

>> >> model

>> >> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the

>> >> BIOS

>> >> battery that I came across:

>> >> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has

>> >> some interesting hints.

>> >>

>> >> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the

>> >> main

>> >> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's

>> >> not

>> >> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those

>> >> things are NOT fun to work on.

>> >>

>> >> --

>> >> Gary S. Terhune

>> >> MS-MVP Shell/User

>> >> http://www.grystmill.com

>> >>

>> >> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

>> >> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

>> >> > combination!

>> >> >

>> >> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions,

>> >> > no

>> >> > recovery disk etc.

>> >> >

>> >> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

>> >> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts

>> >> > of

>> >> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into

>> >> > BIOS/CMOS

>> >> > Setup.

>> >> >

>> >> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

>> >> >

>> >> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

>> >> >

>> >> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>> >> >>

>> >> >> >|

>> >> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in

>> >> >> >the

>> >> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect*

>> >> >> > rather

>> >> >> > than

>> >> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

>> >> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

>> >> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different

>> >> >> hard

>> >> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed

>> >> >> to

>> >> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

>> >> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

>> >> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it

>> >> >> will

>> >> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

>> >> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

>> >> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked

>> >> >> the

>> >> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd

>> >> >> want

>> >> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics

>> >> >> program

>> >> >> if

>> >> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

>> >> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

>> >> >>

>> >>

>>

August 8, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Brian A and Gary, I could not start the Compaq Utilities. The computer will

constantly beep and I then have to shut it down.

What cursor? Mouse or MS-DOS cursor (blinking cursor)?

---------

"Brian A." wrote:

> From the manual:

> http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_284809-003_rev3_us/TPM_284809-003_rev3_us.pdf

> To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu, follow these

> steps:

> 1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu. (Or turn on

> power.)

> 2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of the screen.

>

> IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds. If you do not

> press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.

>

> --

>

> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

> Conflicts start where information lacks.

> http://basconotw.mvps.org/

>

> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:6CB83C17-7A90-4C03-859A-5E71BDC0EFE5@microsoft.com...

> > Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some

> > circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into BIOS/CMOS

> > setup...

> >

> > I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

> >

> > If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and reply.

> > Thank you for the link.

> >

> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> >

> >> Maybe this will help you.

> >> http://tinyurl.com/3xu2ap

> >>

> >> Did you manage to get into BIOS yet? F10 work?

> >>

> >> --

> >> Gary S. Terhune

> >> MS-MVP Shell/User

> >> http://www.grystmill.com

> >>

> >> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:ED095E07-DD46-4D09-88B0-1BA8F0D0516F@microsoft.com...

> >> > Model Number? Sure!

> >> >

> >> > Compaq Armada 1592DT

> >> >

> >> > Hope it helps!

> >> >

> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> >> >

> >> >> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what

> >> >> model

> >> >> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the

> >> >> BIOS

> >> >> battery that I came across:

> >> >> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has

> >> >> some interesting hints.

> >> >>

> >> >> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the

> >> >> main

> >> >> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's

> >> >> not

> >> >> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those

> >> >> things are NOT fun to work on.

> >> >>

> >> >> --

> >> >> Gary S. Terhune

> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User

> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com

> >> >>

> >> >> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> >> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

> >> >> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

> >> >> > combination!

> >> >> >

> >> >> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions,

> >> >> > no

> >> >> > recovery disk etc.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my

> >> >> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts

> >> >> > of

> >> >> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into

> >> >> > BIOS/CMOS

> >> >> > Setup.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

> >> >> >

> >> >> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> >|

> >> >> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in

> >> >> >> >the

> >> >> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect*

> >> >> >> > rather

> >> >> >> > than

> >> >> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the

> >> >> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its

> >> >> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different

> >> >> >> hard

> >> >> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed

> >> >> >> to

> >> >> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are

> >> >> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the

> >> >> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it

> >> >> >> will

> >> >> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS

> >> >> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem

> >> >> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked

> >> >> >> the

> >> >> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd

> >> >> >> want

> >> >> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics

> >> >> >> program

> >> >> >> if

> >> >> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

> >> >> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

> >> >> >>

> >> >>

> >>

>

August 8, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

When you say, "constantly beep", is that when you're pressing the FD10 key

repeatedly, or holding it down? Does it quit when you stop pressing any key?

If so, that's just the "stuck-key" error.

The cursor we're talking about is similar to a DOS cursor, just a plain

horizontal line fragment that blinks. IIRC, it might even be at the upper

right instead of upper left. Do you see any blinking cursor at all? If so,

as noted, it only appears for a short time, and you only want to try F10

when it appears, not before or after (so as to avoid the "stuck key" error.)

Only other way I know to force BIOS is to replace the CMOS battery, and with

Compaq, I'm not even sure that would work. Compaqs, especially of that era,

were downright weird machines. Did a lot of things very differently from the

rest of the crowd.

Hmmm... Not sure about that machine, but seems to me that at least some

laptops, if not most, have/had a Fn or F-lock key that you have to press

before the F keys will work... I think... Not really too familiar with the

things, not like I am with desktops.

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:C1702973-B90A-4791-88B6-2DC257E2676F@microsoft.com...

> Brian A and Gary, I could not start the Compaq Utilities. The computer

> will

> constantly beep and I then have to shut it down.

>

> What cursor? Mouse or MS-DOS cursor (blinking cursor)?

> ---------

> "Brian A." wrote:

>

>> From the manual:

>> http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_284809-003_rev3_us/TPM_284809-003_rev3_us.pdf

>> To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu,

>> follow these

>> steps:

>> 1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu.

>> (Or turn on

>> power.)

>> 2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of

>> the screen.

>>

>> IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds.

>> If you do not

>> press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.

>>

>> --

>>

>> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

>> Conflicts start where information lacks.

>> http://basconotw.mvps.org/

>>

>> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

>> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>

>> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:6CB83C17-7A90-4C03-859A-5E71BDC0EFE5@microsoft.com...

>> > Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some

>> > circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into

>> > BIOS/CMOS

>> > setup...

>> >

>> > I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

>> >

>> > If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and

>> > reply.

>> > Thank you for the link.

>> >

>> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

>> >

>> >> Maybe this will help you.

>> >> http://tinyurl.com/3xu2ap

>> >>

>> >> Did you manage to get into BIOS yet? F10 work?

>> >>

>> >> --

>> >> Gary S. Terhune

>> >> MS-MVP Shell/User

>> >> http://www.grystmill.com

>> >>

>> >> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> news:ED095E07-DD46-4D09-88B0-1BA8F0D0516F@microsoft.com...

>> >> > Model Number? Sure!

>> >> >

>> >> > Compaq Armada 1592DT

>> >> >

>> >> > Hope it helps!

>> >> >

>> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

>> >> >

>> >> >> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know

>> >> >> what

>> >> >> model

>> >> >> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing

>> >> >> the

>> >> >> BIOS

>> >> >> battery that I came across:

>> >> >> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy,

>> >> >> but has

>> >> >> some interesting hints.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect

>> >> >> the

>> >> >> main

>> >> >> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge,

>> >> >> there's

>> >> >> not

>> >> >> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up --

>> >> >> those

>> >> >> things are NOT fun to work on.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> --

>> >> >> Gary S. Terhune

>> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User

>> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com

>> >> >>

>> >> >> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> >> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

>> >> >> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

>> >> >> > combination!

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no

>> >> >> > instructions,

>> >> >> > no

>> >> >> > recovery disk etc.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see

>> >> >> > if my

>> >> >> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large

>> >> >> > amounts

>> >> >> > of

>> >> >> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into

>> >> >> > BIOS/CMOS

>> >> >> > Setup.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> >|

>> >> >> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery

>> >> >> >> >in

>> >> >> >> >the

>> >> >> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect*

>> >> >> >> > rather

>> >> >> >> > than

>> >> >> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication

>> >> >> >> > that the

>> >> >> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to

>> >> >> >> its

>> >> >> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g

>> >> >> >> different

>> >> >> >> hard

>> >> >> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly

>> >> >> >> assumed

>> >> >> >> to

>> >> >> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped

>> >> >> >> working.

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the

>> >> >> >> settings are

>> >> >> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what

>> >> >> >> the

>> >> >> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then

>> >> >> >> it

>> >> >> >> will

>> >> >> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the

>> >> >> >> BIOS

>> >> >> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the

>> >> >> >> problem

>> >> >> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having

>> >> >> >> checked

>> >> >> >> the

>> >> >> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly

>> >> >> >> you'd

>> >> >> >> want

>> >> >> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics

>> >> >> >> program

>> >> >> >> if

>> >> >> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see

>> >> >> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors

>> >> >> >> etc).

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >>

>> >>

>>

August 8, 2007

Re: System is acting very strange - What do I do?

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=96537&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=96219&swLang=8&taskId=135&swEnvOID=20 -

Download drivers and software

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/ProductList.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=96219&taskId=135 -

Armada general - locate files

Check Chapters 9 and 10 of the manual which Brian directed you to.

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

________

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:C1702973-B90A-4791-88B6-2DC257E2676F@microsoft.com...

| Brian A and Gary, I could not start the Compaq Utilities. The computer

will

| constantly beep and I then have to shut it down.

|

| What cursor? Mouse or MS-DOS cursor (blinking cursor)?

| ---------

| "Brian A." wrote:

|

| > From the manual:

| >

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_284809-003_rev3_us/TPM_284809-003_rev3_us.pdf

| > To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu,

follow these

| > steps:

| > 1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu.

(Or turn on

| > power.)

| > 2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of

the screen.

| >

| > IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds.

If you do not

| > press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.

| >

| > --

| >

| > Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

| > Conflicts start where information lacks.

| > http://basconotw.mvps.org/

| >

| > Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

| > How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

| >

| > "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

| > news:6CB83C17-7A90-4C03-859A-5E71BDC0EFE5@microsoft.com...

| > > Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some

| > > circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into

BIOS/CMOS

| > > setup...

| > >

| > > I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

| > >

| > > If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and

reply.

| > > Thank you for the link.

| > >

| > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

| > >

| > >> Maybe this will help you.

| > >> http://tinyurl.com/3xu2ap

| > >>

| > >> Did you manage to get into BIOS yet? F10 work?

| > >>

| > >> --

| > >> Gary S. Terhune

| > >> MS-MVP Shell/User

| > >> http://www.grystmill.com

| > >>

| > >> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

| > >> news:ED095E07-DD46-4D09-88B0-1BA8F0D0516F@microsoft.com...

| > >> > Model Number? Sure!

| > >> >

| > >> > Compaq Armada 1592DT

| > >> >

| > >> > Hope it helps!

| > >> >

| > >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

| > >> >

| > >> >> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know

what

| > >> >> model

| > >> >> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for

replacing the

| > >> >> BIOS

| > >> >> battery that I came across:

| > >> >> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy,

but has

| > >> >> some interesting hints.

| > >> >>

| > >> >> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you

disconnect the

| > >> >> main

| > >> >> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge,

there's

| > >> >> not

| > >> >> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up --

those

| > >> >> things are NOT fun to work on.

| > >> >>

| > >> >> --

| > >> >> Gary S. Terhune

| > >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User

| > >> >> http://www.grystmill.com

| > >> >>

| > >> >> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

| > >> >> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...

| > >> >> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key

| > >> >> > combination!

| > >> >> >

| > >> >> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no

instructions,

| > >> >> > no

| > >> >> > recovery disk etc.

| > >> >> >

| > >> >> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see

if my

| > >> >> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large

amounts

| > >> >> > of

| > >> >> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into

| > >> >> > BIOS/CMOS

| > >> >> > Setup.

| > >> >> >

| > >> >> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

| > >> >> >

| > >> >> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:

| > >> >> >

| > >> >> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

| > >> >> >>

| > >> >> >> >|

| > >> >> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the

battery in

| > >> >> >> >the

| > >> >> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.

| > >> >> >> >

| > >> >> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new

defect*

| > >> >> >> > rather

| > >> >> >> > than

| > >> >> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication

that the

| > >> >> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.

| > >> >> >>

| > >> >> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset

to its

| > >> >> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g

different

| > >> >> >> hard

| > >> >> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly

assumed

| > >> >> >> to

| > >> >> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped

working.

| > >> >> >>

| > >> >> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the

settings are

| > >> >> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what

the

| > >> >> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead

then it

| > >> >> >> will

| > >> >> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the

BIOS

| > >> >> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the

problem

| > >> >> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

| > >> >> >>

| > >> >> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having

checked

| > >> >> >> the

| > >> >> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly

you'd

| > >> >> >> want

| > >> >> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's

diagnostics

| > >> >> >> program

| > >> >> >> if

| > >> >> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and

see

| > >> >> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors

etc).

| > >> >> >>

| > >> >>

| > >>

| >

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