Go to http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/LTE/us/download/8421.html and download the 2.2MB Computer Setup and Diagnostics for Portables file which will make two floppies, this is similar to BIOS on a PC. The manufacturer is always a good place to start! PS Windows 3.x will install on this Notebook

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I triedthe setup and diagnostics floppies, and it worked and asked me what language I wanted, but it reached a point where it said "loading please wait" and made no progress from there(I gave it an hour to pass this) I don't know what to do.

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not enough ram or bus clock in that junker to run windows

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I know that this machine ran win 3.1 before, and I see no reason why it could not do it now. All we need to do is find a way to re install it.

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I also know that it ran win 3.1 word processing too, and recieved an upgrade to the program. I think that if we get this to work, I will have no problems. It has enough ram.

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Well, if it was installed prior to these problems, then it likely did run. Win31 has pretty low requirements, and can (more or less) run on a 286 (in standard mode) with 1 Mb of RAM. If the setup and diagnostics hang then you may have hardware or configuration problems - possibly due to a bad clock or CMOS-like battery. I'm a little confused at your use of terminology concerning slots & hard drives - if you can boot to DOS and perhaps run a hard drive diagnostic such as scandisk or similar, there might be some hope. Just curious - how do you know it has "enough ram" - '????????' seems like an odd amount ; )

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I first found out that it is actually a 486 based system. I then found out that the corruption was a recent happening, though I still don't know why it hapopened. I also know that this machine was never repaired, so your conclusion of a dead battery may be correct. I know that this machine ran word processing all it's life, and mhad a few other programs. I know that it has 640KB of ram registered in the startup. I do not know how to convert memory sizes, but I do know that this machine never gave it's previous owner any problems.

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If everybody reads http://web14.compaq.com/falco/detail.asp?FAQnum=FAQ2066 this it will be clear that it has 80C286 low powered CPU. I would imagine it has a memory board installed that would give it just enough memory to run (crawl) Win3.x

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ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/supportinformation/techpubs/qrg/lte286_rev2_us.pdf found this it says up to 4mb memory can be installed!

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Big difference between a 486 & a 286 - both in usability and age. 640K is the (very) basic memory allotment - and not enough to run even Win3.1, there has to be some extended memory. Word processing capability is no indication of computing power - even a lowly XT could run a simple editor. JEB, on startup, the computer should display some hardware information (CPU, memory amount) - I can't see how there could be any confusion, you describe it as a 286 LTE - it cannot be '486 based'.

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- sorry - I meant Andrew (need more coffee, apparently)

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I have two of those laptops...just fixed one (Those Conner drives are known to fail). I also have Win 3.11 disks and will not install(Keeps saying that I need at least a 386). I need Win 3.0 disks....can anyone help??? Win 3.1 will not install as per above, it's looking for extended memory. These laptops were standard with 640K and upgradable, per above, with a 4MB memory board.

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I think that the previous owners did expand it because it searches for memory twice and finds it both times. They must have upgraded the board because they told me that it was a 486.I have tried compaq support and there system wil not email them my questions. I will copy below what I tried to send them: I have recently recieved a LTE-286 from someone who was moving. It will not start Windows, and this is what happens in the startup: (flashing cursor) (beeping) 1790-Disk 0 error 167-RTC Lost power 162-System Options Not Set-(run setup) Insert Diagnostic diskette (resume = "f1" key) I have inserted the diagnostics diskette, and here is what happens: Invalid System Disk Replace the disk, and then press any key What can I do to fix this? I have had a suggestion from a computing support forum to replace the clock/CMOS battery, if this is the way to fix it, how do I open the laptop chassis? Please get back quickly as I need to use this laptop ASAP.

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I would like to ask you also, how do you open the chassis? I can't figure it out. I see no screws or anything else. Any other related information that could help me that you have should be emailed to ajklwiley@houston.rr.com. Thanks for helping me, but it's not over yet.

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By the way, the name Andrew of the errors is the same as Problem_city as problem_city is my real username.

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To avoid confusion let's just use one or the other eh? Laptops can be extremely difficult to work on - not recommended as the project to cut your teeth on. There should be screws or fasteners, but they are likely well hidden - maybe under the handle? It seems unlikely to me that the machine has had its 286 motherboard replaced with a 486 board, 'cause that's what it would take to 'upgrade' a 286 - you can't just swap processors. Basically all signs point to a bad internal battery: 167-RTC Lost power - means Real Time Clock - what passed for a CMOS battery, back in the day. This would cause the errors reported.

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You were right, we replaced the battery and it has eliminated all but one of the problems. I need a way to run bios setup on it to configure the hard drive. How do I do this?v when it starts up it tells me that there is a nonsystem disk or disk error after it senses the hard drive. How can I fix this?

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I need a BIOS setup floppy creation file. Does anyone have any ideas?

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I managed to get an existing floppy to do the job,(through a small trick)but I can't get it to run DOS peacefully. Whenever I start it says: 1790-disk 0 error How can I fix this? When it starts up I keep getting the error message: Non-system disk or disk error replace the disk then press any key I don't know what to do. I have tried configuring the hardware, an it just changes the driver to a certain one, which is the real drive, I just either have a bad driver or have a corrupted version of DOS. I found out that this machine has no windows installed (whew I have win 3.1 disks)but it has DOS 6.00. How can I reinstall dos, fix the hard drive, and install WIndows? Whenever I put the windows floppy #1 in it just says invalid system disk. I finally don't have any idea what to do.

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If you're getting the "Disk 0 Error", it means one of two things...1) You have the BIOS type set incorrectly or 2) The hard drive is toast. Basically the LTE 286 worked with only two drives: - Connor 20MB, Type 54 - Connor 40MB, Type 53 Note the "Type"...This is the setting that you have to type in your Diagnostic Disk Setup under "Fixed Disk 0". First I would try both settings and see if the hard drive answers to any of them. If it does, the "Fixed 0 disk" error will go away. If the "Invalid system disk" still appears, you're going to have to format the hard drive and get an operating system on it. If (And I know it's a lot of if's) both messages appear regardless of what type you set the drive, the drive is most probably toast. I've read somewhere where a majority of these Conner drives have failed in these laptops. On the bright side, you can get a used/refurbished drive for about $25-$50....or what someone has told me once...pick up a Parallel Zip Drive and boot off a floppy onto that.

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Are you still planning to install windows once you get it working- with 640k ram? I dont believe it would be much use, even if it somehow starts up, i dont think theres any (windows) apps that would run on that little memory. The only quality windows-like GUI that i know about that runs on that little memory would be GEOS or Breadbox Ensemble. If this interests you, a simple google search with those names entered will lead you to all the info you need.

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Charles, You can find the windows 3.0 files at www.freewebs.com/winvision and click on downloads.

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Thanks, bennyboy... Now I just need a 8 bit video driver for an All in Wonder Radeon 7500 ;)

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Thanks, yall really helped me. The hard drive is toast, but your right, if i pick up a cheap hard drive, I can run windows or dos(either way will work) as all i am gioing to do on this computer is word processing. As an FYI i took apart the laptop again, found the hard drive was a Compaq type 17, and found that it was fried. I would like to reveal to you that I am 11 years old. Thank you.

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