System is acting very strange - What do I do?

I can answer most of those questions.

The model is a Compaq Armada, however, I do not know the date that it was
manafactured. The exact error messages looked something like this:

"IntelliSafe detected a permanant hard disk error"

I have tried to create a new user account, editing the 'WIN.ini' file and
deleting all the users, but none of those worked.

Yes, there was a pattern for the beeps - There were 2 short rising beeps,
and it also happens when the PC Card is inserted.

No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the laptop
does not charge at all.

I hope this could answer some questions.

John.

MEB wrote:
Sure, maybe we can help... but you really have to give us something to work
with...

How about what make and model for the first answer.

How about the exact error messages.

How about what diagnostic routines you have already tried...

As for the beeps, likely BIOS attempts to advise of issues, was there any
pattern?

And did you check the internal batteries for CMOS/BIOS and any other
additional (some have three).

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________

"MEB spewed:

So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you
as semi-intelligent,,,

You really are an ass hole." - 98 Guy

"Well, let's review your history here...

When you brought your ideas to this group regarding IE hacks, I was the
ONLY one who attempted to work with you on that... you didn't apparently
pick-up on TESTING techniques required ....

When you brought your ideas concerning hard drives to this group, we all
tried to direct you to the materials you needed to understand and consider
for your presentation... glad you picked up on SOME of that.. to bad you
didn't grasp the full picture...

When you started your "you don't need firewalls anymore" we but in
particular I, tried to direct you to the FACTS of networking and Internet
use, regretfully that was apparently beyond your abilities to understand...

Shall I go through other of your posts here?????

And here you are trying to direct someone to spend money for something
BEFORE you have verified that is the problem....

So perhaps I may appear to be an *AH* NOW, but really, you need to THINK
before you type... and let those who do understand SRTSP, apply them." - MBE
-----------------------------------------------------

NOW LETS GET OVER THIS CRAP AND GET ON WITH LIFE!!! OK?

"John" wrote in message
...
| I can answer most of those questions.
|
| The model is a Compaq Armada, however, I do not know the date that it was
| manafactured. The exact error messages looked something like this:

It still may be useful to have the model number if available... like e***,
v***, 7400, 7800, m300, m700, etc.

|
| "IntelliSafe detected a permanant hard disk error"

Okay, doesn't look good:
United States Patent 6980381 -
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/69...scription.html

But on the HP/Compaq site there is some mention of specific hard drives
[Hitachi,,,] with problems, apparently requiring a firmware update/upgrade.
But without the model number this is all a "shot in the dark".
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...bCatId=8 9335 -
pick your model

|
| I have tried to create a new user account, editing the 'WIN.ini' file and
| deleting all the users, but none of those worked.

Okay, NIX the file modifications for a bit...

|
| Yes, there was a pattern for the beeps - There were 2 short rising beeps,
| and it also happens when the PC Card is inserted.

Let's get the model and specs out of the way....

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
laptop
| does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the interior
batteries [CMOS/other] need checked. It has been noted [laptop forums
mainly], that some laptops do not work well without SOME battery power
available.

|
| I hope this could answer some questions.
|
| John.

They did, and it doesn't look good, but let's at least look at the specific
model number specs. and issues to make sure...

|
| MEB wrote:
| Sure, maybe we can help... but you really have to give us something to
work
| with...
|
| How about what make and model for the first answer.
|
| How about the exact error messages.
|
| How about what diagnostic routines you have already tried...
|
| As for the beeps, likely BIOS attempts to advise of issues, was there
any
| pattern?
|
| And did you check the internal batteries for CMOS/BIOS and any other
| additional (some have three).
|
| --
| MEB
| ________
|

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________

"MEB" meb@not wrote:

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
| laptop does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.


Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked the
BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program if
available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key combination!

We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
recovery disk etc.

I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
Setup.

I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

"Gordon Freeman" wrote:

"MEB" meb@not wrote:

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
| laptop does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.


Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked the
BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program if
available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

You don't know what make/model the machine is?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" wrote in message
...
Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
combination!

We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
recovery disk etc.

I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
Setup.

I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

"Gordon Freeman" wrote:

"MEB" meb@not wrote:

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
| laptop does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.


Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
the
BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program
if
available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

Sorry, missed the previous post.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" wrote in message
...
Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
combination!

We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
recovery disk etc.

I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
Setup.

I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

"Gordon Freeman" wrote:

"MEB" meb@not wrote:

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
| laptop does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.


Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
the
BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program
if
available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what model
number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the BIOS
battery that I came across:
http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has
some interesting hints.

Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the main
battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's not
really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those
things are NOT fun to work on.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" wrote in message
...
Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
combination!

We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
recovery disk etc.

I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
Setup.

I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

"Gordon Freeman" wrote:

"MEB" meb@not wrote:

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
| laptop does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.


Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
the
BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program
if
available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

Model Number? Sure!

Compaq Armada 1592DT

Hope it helps!

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what model
number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the BIOS
battery that I came across:
http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has
some interesting hints.

Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the main
battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's not
really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those
things are NOT fun to work on.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" wrote in message
...
Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
combination!

We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
recovery disk etc.

I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
Setup.

I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

"Gordon Freeman" wrote:

"MEB" meb@not wrote:

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
| laptop does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.


Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
the
BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program
if
available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).

Maybe this will help you.
http://tinyurl.com/3xu2ap

Did you manage to get into BIOS yet? F10 work?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" wrote in message
...
Model Number? Sure!

Compaq Armada 1592DT

Hope it helps!

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what
model
number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the
BIOS
battery that I came across:
http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has
some interesting hints.

Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the
main
battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's
not
really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those
things are NOT fun to work on.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" wrote in message
...
Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
combination!

We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions,
no
recovery disk etc.

I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts
of
electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into
BIOS/CMOS
Setup.

I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

"Gordon Freeman" wrote:

"MEB" meb@not wrote:

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in
the
| laptop does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect*
rather
than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.


Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different
hard
drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed
to
be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it
will
forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
the
BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd
want
to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics
program
if
available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).