Author Topic: no post on (old) compaq pc (Read 23225 times)

smeezekitty · « **on:** August 15, 2009, 01:15:01 PM »

i have a compaq presario 4540
it was freezing up more and more
untill one day turn it on...no video
i tried reseat cmos battery
no beep codes
and by the way i cant swap the ram
because i cannot remove hdd (in the way)
and i have always worked inside with power off(duh)

smeezekitty · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2009, 02:59:58 PM »

update:
i reseated the ram and now it goes to the COMPAQ logo and hangs
by the way the hdd is disconnected and it only has 1 ram slot

Quantos · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:12:27 PM »

Will it let you get into the BIOS?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:22:06 PM »

i can get to bios at most once out of 10 restarts
i thinking ram or mother board
what do you think

patio · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:23:05 PM »

smeezekitty · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:45:20 PM »

i thought that too but can bad ram cause this?
ram is cheaper so i will try that first
also can a bad cmos battery cause it?
----edit----
the powersupply is 80 watts

Quantos · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:49:04 PM »

Quote from: smeezekitty on August 15, 2009, 03:45:20 PM

i thought that too but can bad ram cause this?
ram is cheaper so i will try that first
also can a bad cmos battery cause it?
----edit----
the powersupply is 80 watts

Yes, a bad CMOS battery can cause all kinds of problems, it can lose the HDD that you have, system time, other settings that may be crucial to booting.

patio · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:52:17 PM »

Quote

the powersupply is 80 watts

This raises a Red flag...haven't seen one since the 80's...

Quantos · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:53:28 PM »

Neither have I. I still have some old 300 watts kicking around, but I threw all that really old stuff out long ago.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2009, 03:55:06 PM »

its not that old it has
16 mb ram

233 mhz processor
maybe windows 95
where do you find a new cmos battery? (round shiny)
also there is some dust inside that should be removed
i hope i did not double post this

Quantos · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:00:34 PM »

The first thing I would do is try a different PSU. If you can locate one with the appropriate connectors, otherwise I would suggest taking it into a local Mom 'n Pop store to get it checked.

patio · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:02:07 PM »

And the part # for the CMOS battery is CR2032...available pretty much anywhere...including Wally World.

Allan · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:04:02 PM »

Why are you posting in haiku?

Quantos · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:04:35 PM »

Quote from: ADG on August 15, 2009, 04:04:02 PM

Why are you posting in haiku?

Wha?

Allan · « **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:15:37 PM »

A little too abstruse?

Quantos · « **Reply #15 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:16:52 PM »

I think you mean 'Obtuse'.

I'm just wondering who you're referring to, the OP?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #16 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:19:15 PM »

yes i know i am anoying
the case is very tightly packed
i had to remove the floppy and hdd to reseat ram
newer psu's are to large
and an outside powersupply would look wacky

patio · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:25:58 PM »

Quote

newer psu's are to large
and an outside powersupply would look wacky

This makes no sense...PSU's have been the same size for 20 years...
Unless you are trying to jam in an ATX PSU into a miniATX slot...

smeezekitty · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:36:20 PM »

its an abnormal powersupply it is very small
with short wires and also blows air on the heatsink

Quantos · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:39:40 PM »

Quote from: ADG on August 15, 2009, 04:15:37 PM

A little too abstruse?

Yes, same thing as 'Obtuse', generally taken with geometry applied, but a word with a more current/definable meaning.

patio · « **Reply #20 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:41:30 PM »

At any rate you probably need to do a search for miniATX PSU's...
Or buy a new case.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #21 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:46:48 PM »

do you sugjest new cmos batt / ram?

Quantos · « **Reply #22 on:** August 15, 2009, 04:47:30 PM »

I suggest having someone put a meter to your PSU. That's a really long time for one to last without issues.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #23 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:08:25 PM »

ok but i dont like working on the computer when its on

Quantos · « **Reply #24 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:10:05 PM »

Quote from: smeezekitty on August 15, 2009, 05:08:25 PM

ok but i dont like working on the computer when its on

Testing the PSU should be done with it disconnected from the computer.

patio · « **Reply #25 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:10:49 PM »

Borrow one you know is good and swap it in there...
Replace the CMOS battery...3 Bucks.
DLoad and run MemTest to check the RAM...

smeezekitty · « **Reply #26 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:12:22 PM »

4.99 volts on the 5 volt output
14.2 volts on the 12 volt output

Quantos · « **Reply #27 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:13:00 PM »

What about the other connectors?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #28 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:15:11 PM »

i have floppy, cdrom, hdd, and mobo
connectors
i tested the hdd
and isnt 14.3 a bit on the high side?
and also the freezeing started on a mem test

patio · « **Reply #29 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:17:37 PM »

Then the RAM is bad...and that's probably the issue here.
Replace it.

Quantos · « **Reply #30 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:19:57 PM »

I have to agree with that one.

PS- 14.2V may seem high, but the hardware inside the computer has probably adjusted to this difference by now.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #31 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:22:19 PM »

i will get the ram replaced (maybe by 32mb instead of 16)
and ask if it is still acting up
thank you

Quantos · « **Reply #32 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:24:34 PM »

Definitely let us know.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #33 on:** August 15, 2009, 05:57:45 PM »

i put a bit of tape on the old ram so the first few contacts dont make contact
and it POST and booted without freezeing

but new ram is in order (unless its sockit)

Quantos · « **Reply #34 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:04:33 PM »

Quote from: smeezekitty on August 15, 2009, 05:57:45 PM

i put a bit of tape on the old ram so the first few contacts dont make contact
and it POST and booted without freezeing
but new ram is in order (unless its sockit)

Hopefully it's not the socket.

There's no obvious damage to the socket is there?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #35 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:05:58 PM »

no damage to ram sockit
and theres a new problem
i cannot reconnect the molex to hdd
because its way in there and the hdd isnt comming out for some reason
so i am bootingfrom a msdos floopy

patio · « **Reply #36 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:15:36 PM »

I would have put this thing on the Tree Lawn by now...

Quantos · « **Reply #37 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:16:50 PM »

Quote from: patio on August 15, 2009, 06:15:36 PM

I would have put this thing on the Tree Lawn by now...

Is that anything like a lawn of grass?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #38 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:22:38 PM »

patio
i am not tring to insult
but dont post just to post
and about the molex connector?

patio · « **Reply #39 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:24:51 PM »

What about it ? ?
If you can't reach it to disconnect then remove the HDD hold down screws and pull the drive out to where it's manageable.

Quantos · « **Reply #40 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:25:57 PM »

Quote from: smeezekitty on August 15, 2009, 06:22:38 PM

patio
i am not tring to insult
but dont post just to post
and about the molex connector?

Come on, we all get distracted. Patio does know what he's talking about.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #41 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:26:40 PM »

i dont knwo what patio is talking about
but the hdd is stuck
----edit----
i unscrewed the hdd but its still stuck
it just doesnt come out

patio · « **Reply #42 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:50:24 PM »

Well it's going to need to if you can't reach the molex connector...

smeezekitty · « **Reply #43 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:50:41 PM »

this pc is diving me insane but anyway
the fans seem a bit slow
and still having a hard time with the hdd

Quantos · « **Reply #44 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:52:12 PM »

Quote from: smeezekitty on August 15, 2009, 06:26:40 PM

i dont knwo what patio is talking about
but the hdd is stuck
----edit----
i unscrewed the hdd but its still stuck
it just doesnt come out

Did you remove the screws from the other side of the drive?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #45 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:56:56 PM »

motherboard in the way

Quantos · « **Reply #46 on:** August 15, 2009, 06:59:35 PM »

Then take out the motherboard.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #47 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:02:17 PM »

i really dont want to do that
i think this case is poorly designed
if worst comes to worst i will take motehrboat out
----edit----
i mean motherboard not motehrboat

Quantos · « **Reply #48 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:03:43 PM »

It probably is a poorly designed chasis. Unless you remove the mother board you won't be able to remove the HDD.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #49 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:06:12 PM »

this has turned into a huge post
i assume you take the motherboard out the otehr side?!
i wish i didnt disconnect harddriver *SMACK SELF ON FACE*

Quantos · « **Reply #50 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:07:28 PM »

Disconnect all the addon cards, all connectors from the PSU and drives.
Then remove the motherboard from the other side. Otherwise you can damage your add on cards.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #51 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:10:11 PM »

i am powering it off now

Quantos · « **Reply #52 on:** August 15, 2009, 07:20:41 PM »

Let us know.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #53 on:** August 15, 2009, 08:15:59 PM »

hdd is pluged in and ready to go
POST was sucessfull (and slow)
now for configureing in bios!
should 32bit I/O be disabled or enabled?
shouldd the type be set auto orr manual?
what is multi-sector transfers?
LBA mode on or off?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #54 on:** August 15, 2009, 08:30:51 PM »

post is taking soooooooooooo long
and it comes up
No fixed disks present.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #55 on:** August 15, 2009, 09:36:07 PM »

the freeze on POST is back
----edit----
i got it to boot once
and fdisk read the harddisk
then back to FRZ ON PST

Quantos · « **Reply #56 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:15:27 PM »

So that was a post with what connected?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #57 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:33:45 PM »

evreything except mouse
i got it to boot windows 95 for
one time whoohoo
so the harddrive is working ok
but i have to pull cmos battery and or wiggle ram before startup
or freeze on post

Quantos · « **Reply #58 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:35:01 PM »

Quote from: smeezekitty on August 15, 2009, 10:33:45 PM

evreything except mouse
i got it to boot windows 95 for
one time whoohoo
so the harddrive is working ok
but i have to pull cmos battery and or wiggle ram before startup
or freeze on post

That sounds an awful lot like a toasted motherboard.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #59 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:45:08 PM »

can i run it without the battery?

Quantos · « **Reply #60 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:47:06 PM »

You need the battery to tell the CMOS what hardware you have that's special. It probably won't run without it unless the default is to autodetect everything.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #61 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:50:45 PM »

it'll work, but it'll always use the defaults. And you'll be thrown back to the pre-CMOS time of the PC and XT and need to tell it what time it is every time you power on.

Quantos · « **Reply #62 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:53:01 PM »

Quote from: BC_Programmer on August 15, 2009, 10:50:45 PM

it'll work, but it'll always use the defaults. And you'll be thrown back to the pre-CMOS time of the PC and XT and need to tell it what time it is every time you power on.

With a system this old it may not autodetect any drives, if they have to be placed manually then it probably won't boot.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #63 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:54:05 PM »

my 386 autodetected IDE drives...

smeezekitty · « **Reply #64 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:55:27 PM »

95 is working fine (for now)
i dont remember such good graphics (800x600 65536 colors)
----edit---
i am pretty sure it autodetects
because after removing battery i dont have to reset bios settings
the hdd and flopy acess fine

Quantos · « **Reply #65 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:55:59 PM »

This one might or might not. I've seen the odd 486 that wouldn't do auto detect.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #66 on:** August 15, 2009, 10:57:29 PM »

Quote from: Quantos on August 15, 2009, 10:55:59 PM

This one might or might not. I've seen the odd 486 that wouldn't do auto detect.

true. Mostly crap BIOS's too. And my 386 was some high-end server thing.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #67 on:** August 15, 2009, 11:19:02 PM »

i dont understand this
it sayss the filesystem is FAT32
but 95 does not support FAT32 i thought 98+ was fat32 and 95 was fat16
how can win 95 acess fat32 ?
is it safe to run without battery? no damage?

Quantos · « **Reply #68 on:** August 15, 2009, 11:24:57 PM »

I'd have to look up the fat's, but it is safe to run without the battery, I just won't guarantee that it will boot without it.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #69 on:** August 15, 2009, 11:41:36 PM »

it booted without battery
you are really helpful Quantos

Quantos · « **Reply #70 on:** August 15, 2009, 11:45:54 PM »

Thank you, I appreciate the confidence.

Did it boot fast or slow?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #71 on:** August 15, 2009, 11:59:31 PM »

a nice long 25 second post

Quantos · « **Reply #72 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:01:49 AM »

I don't understand if your being sarcastic or not, is that long or short for you?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #73 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:07:33 AM »

very long:
normal post is 12 sec or less

Quantos · « **Reply #74 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:12:48 AM »

Did you have the HDD connected for that post?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #75 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:20:21 AM »

oh yeah
i am runnin windows 95
the clock is always 12 o clock thogh
by the way
if you press start shutdown restart
it fails POST
it will only post if there is NO power
switch on back off and batt out
btw the fan seems slow and this is an AMD processor (hot!)

Quantos · « **Reply #76 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:24:38 AM »

Change your battery and clean the heatsink and processor, change the thermal paste. This is only going to cost you about $5.00. Then give it a whirl, if you need advice on thermal paste then let us know.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #77 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:27:52 AM »

the heatsink is caked with dust
how do i get that off?
p.s. sure alot of posts on this thread

Quantos · « **Reply #78 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:40:13 AM »

Compressed air is how you get it off. Pick up a can at a local tech/computer shop.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #79 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:52:25 AM »

wait till patio sees this thread!

Quantos · « **Reply #80 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:53:29 AM »

Quote from: smeezekitty on August 16, 2009, 12:52:25 AM

wait till patio sees this thread!

You lost me on that one, what willl happen then?

smeezekitty · « **Reply #81 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:56:38 AM »

he will see itss 80 posts long
and we reply so often its almost live chat
the windows 95 hasnt been working for years
by the way Quantos how can yhou be all over this forum?
it seems you are in evey single post at once
i could never do that!

Quantos · « **Reply #82 on:** August 16, 2009, 12:58:33 AM »

Like my name implies, I am many.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #83 on:** August 16, 2009, 01:21:20 AM »

almost bed time
i will se how well the ccomp is doing tomarrow

Quantos · « **Reply #84 on:** August 16, 2009, 01:23:27 AM »

Aye, good call, and I have a Tee time in the morning.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #85 on:** August 16, 2009, 09:07:41 PM »

final question i think
i have these video choices
640x350x16c
640x480x16c
640x480x256c
640x480x16bit
800x600x16c
800x600x256c
800x600x16bit
1024x700x256c
1024x768x256c
what is best

Quantos · « **Reply #86 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:25:05 PM »

If those are the only options then I would suggest running 800x600-16bit color.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #87 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:35:11 PM »

thanks
by the way
i got in a PM fight with mulreay

Quantos · « **Reply #88 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:37:15 PM »

Bully for you. That's not quite what I wanted to see posted here.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #89 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:50:53 PM »

Quote from: Quantos on August 20, 2009, 08:37:15 PM

Bully for you. That's not quite what I wanted to see posted here.

i didnt get that

Quantos · « **Reply #90 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:52:22 PM »

I could be wrong, but most things are kept in PM to avoid 'airing your laundry in public'.

I was just a little surprised by your post.

smeezekitty · « **Reply #91 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:54:37 PM »

i just dont want anyone PM ing me
by the way quantos where have you been?

Quantos · « **Reply #92 on:** August 20, 2009, 08:59:29 PM »

I've been working. I work 12 hour days, so when I'm on shift I don't post.

If you don't want us PM'ing you about the disagreement, then don't mention it online.

I could really care less about who is arguing with who.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #93 on:** August 21, 2009, 09:39:31 AM »

GO MULREAY!

neelchauhan · « **Reply #94 on:** August 22, 2009, 07:04:23 AM »

You need a CMOS battery which is CR2032 which you can buy in any consumer eletronics shop.

Computer Hope Forum

News:

Author Topic: no post on (old) compaq pc (Read 23225 times)

smeezekitty

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

patio

smeezekitty

Quantos

patio

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

patio

Allan

Quantos

Allan

Quantos

smeezekitty

patio

smeezekitty

Quantos

patio

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

patio

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

patio

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

patio

Quantos

smeezekitty

patio

Quantos

smeezekitty

patio

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

smeezekitty

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

BC_Programmer

Quantos

BC_Programmer

smeezekitty

Quantos

BC_Programmer

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty

Quantos

smeezekitty