My computer (a Compaq Aero) won't start - whenever I turn it on, it keeps giving me a "non-system disk or disk error" message. This happens whether there is a disk in or not. No keys have any effect. I have been told I should get a DOS 6.22 (I run Win 3.1) Boot disk and reboot it. I downloaded a boot program, and stuck it on a floppy, but still nothing happens when I turn on my computer. I still get the same error message and no keys work. Any help would be much appreciated.

go into your cmos and check to make sure it is set to boot from A: before C:

check your hardrive make it plug in good or make sure it showing in your cmos

You fool...

He may not be able to go into the bios. The utility for getting into the bios is not built into the cmos chip. It is a program that resides in a hidden partition on the hard drive. if his drive is dead, obviously the utility won't work. Aren't Compaq's just wonderful?

You can go to the Compaq web site and download utilities to get to your bios when the computer's not booting from the hard drive. There are also programs to update your bios (Roms) and programs so you can sell how you computer is configured in your bios.

download dynamic drive overlay run it format the disk then install dos then win 3.1 thats how i fixed my laptop compaq contura 4\25