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Comment:
I know I've been bugging with my Compaq but I've reached my ends limit.
Compaq celeron 566/128megs RAM, 1-10G h/d split 'c' and 'd'(recov back-up) and 1-40g h/d split e,f,g,h. ADSL via Compaq OEM & Swbell ethernet card.
Since I got this thing Compaq has had me on a leash and Swbell can do very little. The biggest prob is that I could never re-install the O/S because of the way Compaq stores it in thier Recovery CD's. It takes 2 miracles and a hat trick to get between Compaq and Bell and get the ADSL reconf'gd.
Well I got layed off in the telecomm crash so the phone is getting axed, so now there is no reason to worry about getting the ADSL rcnfg'd.
So I want to COMPLETELY wipe the system. I mean format the h/d and everything else. Reset the cmoss, sys bios, the whole 9 yards. If this thing is toast what can it hurt?
1. 'E' is a partition on my second drive. Could I yank the first H/D and change 'E' to 'C', then shoot 98SE onto it? What if I need to get something later form the orig 'c', would'n't seeing to 'C's cause a conflict?
2. If I do blank the sys, and Compaq being proprietary, will I have to download all their drivers first so that I have them avail on standby? Can I replace all with generics? If I reuse Compaq drivers I may just be starting the whole thing over again.
3.I'll take any suggs or complaints on the new O/S's avail. I was thinking of 98SE.
4. If the new O/S does not install DOS where I can restart in MS-DOS mode, can I buy it, install it myslelf?
5.Anything else?Thanks to everyone that has put up with my rants and whining.
Dino
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I think one area where compaqs suffer is the area reserved/hidden partition on the c: drive for the rompaq where cmos info is stored,
so before you format or yank the c: drive check to see if your compaq has the hidden partition.
and if you do yank the current c: drive
your e:f:g:h: would become c:e:f:g:
if d: is reserved for your cd-rom
or your cd-rom could become g:
I know someone who has a compaq 475mhz that came with 98se recovery disk and upgrading the o/s didn't go well and he ended up using the recovery disk to get it working again.it is worth a try, most info is available in the install guides link to the left.
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Im not very familiar with compaqs OS scenario. Ive seen posts here about nightmares (some lil some big) dealing with them after format. With my HP i was able to eliminate the recovery disks and use a real windows disk. If you have a real copy of windows and if your compaq can be formatted:
While you have the 2 drives connected move any data off of of E: and make it the master "C:\". Leave your old master disconnected for now.
Use a boot disk to format the master and install windows on it. Once you have windows loaded on C:\ slave the old drive and pull your data back from it.
Once you have decided you got everything you want from the old HD partition it/format it however you want.If your not sure what the deal is with your particular model you should search around google for "formatting presario 1234" and see if you can find a message board or article where someone esle has already fought this battle for you.
The install link on the left is a good source of info for reinstalling windows. This one is for compaq reinstalls.
Heres a link that explains how to use fdisk.
Good Luck.
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Dino, I know this is not quite the same senerio but with my compaq 5000, after partitioning c my restore cd wouldnt work any more. Eventually, after getting fed up with compaqs system I followed SMUODs and others advice and did a clean install. Having no full Me install cd, I copied the contents of windows/options/ install to my system_sav (D drive),along with whatever I wanted to save, and then formated c. I then re-installed ME from my D drive. After getting Me running pretty good I copied the compaq drivers etc from d to c then formatted d. Even though I made a bios restore disk, I didnt need it but it would be advisable to download one from Compaq. After using most of Trevs tweaks Ive really had no problems except for a few ive created myself by mucking around in this and that.
Hope you find something of use in this rambling post.
Regards
Len
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If you delete the compaq partiton you will have problems beause the BIOS update software is on the Compaq partition.
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hello
i was cruseing through the pc guide forum
and one of the older posters said that the newer compaq,s have a normal type bios.ie made in the last few years.but check to see if yours is one of the. i think lens hit it on the mark.you could allso make a norton ghost copy of drive c it will copy the hiden bios allso.
have a nice day
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Thanks guys, I would be lost without y'alls help. I copied all of these posts onto my comp so if I get cut I can still use them.
JOE: I'll look into the hidden partition thing, the 'd' partition is where compaq stores all the revocery stuff. CMOS is alien to me, so I guess I need to get a crash course in it quickly.
BILL2 & WAWADAVE: Yeah I think Len nailed it down. (Bios is totally alien to me.) Can the BIOS updater be bypassed? Can I copy the folder, and do you know the name of it? I haven't browsed for it yet, and all the folders on the recovery are zipped and serialized, no names.
LEN: I think you nailed it on the head!
I fig'd I have to buy a real O/S cd. I have 98SE, the ME came as OEM/Recov. Compaq says this whole recov thing was an experiment to goof proof, but they underestimated the power of the avg goof.
Once I get this thing rollin' and my service back on, I'll want to re-install the DSL.
Now this is where it gets tricky: My DSL software comes on a 3rd recov cd, (which will be useless for restore if I format).
1. Bell has their own DSL software but it won't work on my card. They say I HAVE to use this card and the Compaq OEM/SWBell software and drivers.
2.I can copy all the DSL stuff, I'm just concerned about getting it to "bind."
3.Couldn't I just go buy a generic/external DSL modem and config it with Bells' DSL soft/w? I have their DSL CD. Guess I need to ask their tech support. But seems to me it would work.
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SMUOSMD: I am very sorry, did not mean to leave you out. Sounds like you've got the insight. My response to Len should have been to both of you. Sorry, and thanks.
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Len to the rescue....
Hey dino :)
Since your going to experiment.....Do you mind taking note of the steps you take to get it done?
Im looking at ebay now for a cheapo compaq to goof around with. I would like to see what happens.
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Dino- a couple of things before you start. You may or may not need your ME product key. If you dont know it you can get it by following the advice Here.
Secondly, you mentioned your DSL software on a 3rd recov cd. If its in the *.bin format compaq uses for the recovery disks, some software, winimage for example will open it. It may be possible to extract your DSL software and install it manually.Regards
Len
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One more thing, as you say all the folders on the recovery are zipped and serialized. What I did is to open each one to find what it contained. Most were in a zip file within a zip. I simply kept the sub- zip and renamed it by the contents of the folder. Really, if you want the extra space and never intend to use compaqs quick restore again you can safely delete everything on your D drive except your folder with your install progs and drivers. I beleive the Bios update, as bill mentioned is on your D: drive but is in a protected hidden area. As long as you dont use fdisk you should be allright. Also I use norton ghost to keep a image of my ME and 2000 partitions on the system_sav drive but I dont update them as often as I should:) This all worked for me with no problems, Hopefully it will for you also. Good luck.
Regards
Len
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from what they are telling me on the forum at Compaq you have to use Fdisk and format C but not to use Partition Magic on it? So Do I Image on to D drive from C now, then Fdisk and Format C, then when I do a Clean Install on C Drive I put my CD(Windows Me Upgrade)in and does it just install on its own like regular, and if it does, do I put my product key in and when it asks me for a prior O/S will it accept my W98se Upgrade disk that I have or is that when I access the D drive and Go to what folder. Sorry for asking these dumb questions, just trying to get prepared (don't want to be in the middle of it and not know what to answer) and right now My C drive is 16.5 GB and D save has only 1.5 GB left out of the 2.7 will the Image size fit. After every thing goes ok then I can fdisk d, or guess I could just leave it alone, until I need more space. Do I have the right Idea I do not care about the Compaq stuff either and I don't have the restore disk anyway, this Computer has that on it too, because I have already restored it with out the restore disk. Sue Hope you guys read this...
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from what they are telling me on the forum at Compaq you have to use Fdisk and format C but not to use Partition Magic on it? So Do I Image on to D drive from C now, then Fdisk and Format C, then when I do a Clean Install on C Drive I put my CD(Windows Me Upgrade)in and does it just install on its own like regular, and if it does, do I put my product key in and when it asks me for a prior O/S will it accept my W98se Upgrade disk that I have or is that when I access the D drive and Go to what folder. Sorry for asking these dumb questions, just trying to get prepared (don't want to be in the middle of it and not know what to answer) and right now My C drive is 16.5 GB and D save has only 1.5 GB left out of the 2.7 will the Image size fit. After every thing goes ok then I can fdisk d, or guess I could just leave it alone, until I need more space. Do I have the right Idea I do not care about the Compaq stuff either and I don't have the restore disk anyway, this Computer has that on it too, because I have already restored it with out the restore disk. Sue Hope you guys read this...
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