can't get computer to start in anything

[bmacgurk]

merlin ,
           did that and more can't get a command prompt for a:\ on it won't even run the bios have a boot 98disk with cdrom drivers and won't work.

                                                      bmacgurk

[merlin_2]

hold down the f1 key...does it display the bios screen........it  must have passed post.....for it to display non system disk........download a boot disk.....and load it in the  fd drive.it should display the A:\> on boot up....

[bmacgurk]

yes
says system disk or disk error insert system disk and restart did that toshould i take out the battery and replace it back after a minute?

[bmacgurk]

no no bios screen goes right towhere it says to f10 in lower right hand corner

[merlin_2]

f10must be the bios setup...........leave the cmos battery where it is.....

[bmacgurk]

yes it takes me into the bios but i cant change anything .trired to do that and nothing

[merlin_2]

try again >> this will explain how to>http://www.computerhope.com/help/phoenixa.htm

[bmacgurk]

that didn't work either getting ready to toss out window ;D ;D ill get it to work with your help oh great computer god anything else you can think of

                               bmacgurk

[bmacgurk]

merlin,
           i had a wild guess that the computer has been admin protected and maybe thats why i can't change anything how would i change that if i could that could explain some things and what else can i try to resolve this.
        bmacgurk

[merlin_2]

the bios is held on the hard drive in a  hidden partiton
if some one has made changes to the hard ware you may have  to flash the bios
..maybe this lot has the answer>
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/setupCategory?dlc=en&tool=setupCategory&lc=en&cc=us&dest_page=setupCategory&product=67345

what o/s install on the hard drive.....orignally



did you try the bootisks..........

[merlin_2]

what is the make/model of this pc.......i had an old compaq....with the two foot square motherboard.....and it weighed a ton.......it got used as a server in the end....

did this pc come with any floppy disks....   then we have the problem of drivers for sound/video......

[bmacgurk]

merlin,
          my guess is that i had to be either 98se or 95 what i put on it was 2000 pro and me which i thought i had erased i guessing because it was a while back. yes i did try the botdisks a still couldn't get to the a:\ prompt. download a bunch of stuff that thought would help me from differant site but to no avail.so back to square one.

                       bmacgurk

[bmacgurk]

merlin,
         this comp is a compaq en series 6288. not a tower but one you can put your monitor on top.pentium 2 found a sticker that said windows nt-98 .does this help.
         bmacgurk

[merlin_2]

how did you put win2k pro on it??  what happens if you hold down the f5 key on boot up.....when you boot this machine without any disks in drive what message comes up.......no operating system......?send me a message i may have something to sort it out....<cyptic>

[bmacgurk]

ok where do i send it to and i had it on another comp that had an accident comp fell off a shelf i had it on busted up pretty good saved what i could from it.installed it on thata while back to use as a backup