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Invalid configuration information
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Original Message
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Name: wwhadrian
Date: December 26, 2003 at 22:51:47 Pacific
Subject: Invalid configuration information
OS: Win 3.1
CPU/Ram: 386, n\a
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Comment: Hi,
I've been given an old HP VECTRA RS/25C (386, 1.2-Mb & 1.44-Mb flexible disk drives). Everything works fine, but I don't know how to get to the BIOS setup.
When I start the computer the first screen goes: 16128K Total Memory
640 Base
384 Reserved
15104 Extended
9009_ Then it comes another screen: ROM BIOS (C)Copyright....etc
Compatibility Software (C)Copyright... etc
Version E.02.03 RS/25C
Invalid configuration information - Run SETUP program
Strike F1 to continue and when I press F1, "Starting MS DOS..." and a series of lines are displayed (something about himem, smartdrive, paths and cache and the like, couldn't say what, I'm a complete "tech-ignorant") and finally C:\>. I type WIN and it gets me to Windows.
But how can I get to the CMOS setup ? And another thing: the 5.25" disk drive is the boot drive (A:), so I cannot start up with a boot disk. Is there a way to make B: the boot drive ? thanks
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Response Number 1
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Name: SkipCox
Date: December 27, 2003 at 03:18:48 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)
1. I believe either F2 or F10 will get you into setup but if you get there you won't find much.
2. Unlikely you can swap drives on the hp. A boot disk for 6.22 is available from bootdisk.com in the 5.25" 1.2Mb format or I'll make and send you one.Skip
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Response Number 2
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Name: Dale Wagaman
Date: December 27, 2003 at 11:48:09 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)If you lucky, you can swap the drives, you may need a tab > pin adpatptor. And some BIOS's have a "floppy swap" in them.
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Response Number 3
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Name: wwhadrian
Date: December 27, 2003 at 23:57:50 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)Well this is weird. No F key will work, nor ESC or DEL or anything. All I get is "9103" and four beeps at the end of the first screen and then again to the "invalid configuration information" screen.
So I tried and left the 5.25" disk drive unconnected and attached the IDE cable's master plug to the 1.44 Mb disk drive. Now the File Manager says that that's A: and C:>msd says that that's A:
But when I restart my computer with a bootable disk the disk drive light goes on for a second but then I get again the "9103" at the end of the first screen and the "invalid configuration information" screen. The bootable disk is the Spanish version of MS DOS so if I "strike F1 to continue" with the bootable disk still in it doesn't say "starting MS DOS" (in English) but "Iniciando MS DOS" (in Spanish), then the disk drive light goes on permanently, but nothing happens.
If I take out the bootable disk, restart the computer and type C:>setup, I'm asked to "insert MS-DOS setup disk in drive A: and press ctrl+alt+del". I insert the disk but nothing happens when I press ctrl+alt+del. Skip, that was so nice, but shouldn't I need 5.22" floppy disks for that ?
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Response Number 4
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Name: Dale Wagaman
Date: December 28, 2003 at 14:38:49 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)first, you cant have a floppy on your IDE cable. second, if you want to have the 2.5inch as "A:", then you either need a different gloppy cable, or adaptor. try the cable from a newer pc. as for the bios, ill find a code.
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Response Number 5
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Name: Dale Wagaman
Date: December 28, 2003 at 14:42:52 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)ah ha! You need to get the BIOS setup diskettes. I cant find them, but ill look harder.
funny, I remember having an HP vectra, and it had a BIOS where you press "delete". but this was a 486-50mhz.....big difference.
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Response Number 6
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Name: Dale Wagaman
Date: December 28, 2003 at 14:46:18 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)OK, i dont think you game me the right model number. all i can find is the diskettes for this http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Resource.jsp?locale=en_US&taskId=115&prodSeriesId=32469&prodTypeId=12454
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Response Number 7
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Name: wwhadrian
Date: December 28, 2003 at 16:58:16 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)Mate, you took the words out of my mouth !! That's it, it looks like this i386 has no built-in CMOS setup utility but someone tried to put in some new hardware without being able to arrange configuration afterwards. That appears not to be a problem anyway, since everything works fine. The thing is, if I don't have a CMOS utility, when the CMOS battery is off then the computer is done ?? I found a hacking programm called BIOS 3.2 that seems to be able to change the CMOS configuration, but I don't know how to. :-(
As to the IDE ribbon cable, both disk drives were originally attached to it, only the 1.2 Mb disk drive is the master and the 1.44 Mb is the slave.
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Response Number 8
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Name: Petit Jean
Date: December 29, 2003 at 05:59:34 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)The following website is for a 5.25 in. MS-DOS 6.22 boot disk download.These diskettes can be found in stores selling used computers or thrift stores.A black floppy drive will accomodate 360 Ko diskettes(DD)(or smaller) and a beige one both 1.2 Mo(HD) and 360 Ko(or smaller).The 1.2 Mo floppies are more difficult to find.You may find single side floppies that will hold only 160 Ko or 180 Ko.
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
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Response Number 9
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Name: wwhadrian
Date: December 29, 2003 at 14:45:16 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)Ooofff, I made it !!
I was able to find a CMOS setup program for old computers and swap disk drives succesfully.
Thank you every one.
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Response Number 10
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Name: dolichol
Date: January 14, 2004 at 12:23:12 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)where did you get the cmos setup program? i am having the same problem with my old NEC 386.
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Response Number 11
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Name: magickat
Date: January 19, 2004 at 23:19:01 Pacific
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Reply: (edit)I need help with my computer too since it's having the same problem. My computer is a digital 486dx.
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