System is acting very strange - What do I do?

Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some
circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into BIOS/CMOS
setup...

I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and reply.
Thank you for the link.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

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).

From the manual:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/su...03_rev3_us.pdf
To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu, follow these
steps:
1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu. (Or turn on
power.)
2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of the screen.

IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds. If you do not
press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375


"John" wrote in message
...
Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some
circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into BIOS/CMOS
setup...

I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and reply.
Thank you for the link.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

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).

Brian A and Gary, I could not start the Compaq Utilities. The computer will
constantly beep and I then have to shut it down.

What cursor? Mouse or MS-DOS cursor (blinking cursor)?
---------
"Brian A." wrote:

From the manual:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/su...03_rev3_us.pdf
To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu, follow these
steps:
1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu. (Or turn on
power.)
2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of the screen.

IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds. If you do not
press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375


"John" wrote in message
...
Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some
circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into BIOS/CMOS
setup...

I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and reply.
Thank you for the link.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

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).

When you say, "constantly beep", is that when you're pressing the FD10 key
repeatedly, or holding it down? Does it quit when you stop pressing any key?
If so, that's just the "stuck-key" error.

The cursor we're talking about is similar to a DOS cursor, just a plain
horizontal line fragment that blinks. IIRC, it might even be at the upper
right instead of upper left. Do you see any blinking cursor at all? If so,
as noted, it only appears for a short time, and you only want to try F10
when it appears, not before or after (so as to avoid the "stuck key" error.)

Only other way I know to force BIOS is to replace the CMOS battery, and with
Compaq, I'm not even sure that would work. Compaqs, especially of that era,
were downright weird machines. Did a lot of things very differently from the
rest of the crowd.

Hmmm... Not sure about that machine, but seems to me that at least some
laptops, if not most, have/had a Fn or F-lock key that you have to press
before the F keys will work... I think... Not really too familiar with the
things, not like I am with desktops.

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

"John" wrote in message
...
Brian A and Gary, I could not start the Compaq Utilities. The computer
will
constantly beep and I then have to shut it down.

What cursor? Mouse or MS-DOS cursor (blinking cursor)?
---------
"Brian A." wrote:

From the manual:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/su...03_rev3_us.pdf
To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu,
follow these
steps:
1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu.
(Or turn on
power.)
2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of
the screen.

IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds.
If you do not
press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375


"John" wrote in message
...
Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some
circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into
BIOS/CMOS
setup...

I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and
reply.
Thank you for the link.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

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).

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...35&swEnvOID=20 -
Download drivers and software

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...219&taskId=135 -
Armada general - locate files


Check Chapters 9 and 10 of the manual which Brian directed you to.

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


"John" wrote in message
...
| Brian A and Gary, I could not start the Compaq Utilities. The computer
will
| constantly beep and I then have to shut it down.
|
| What cursor? Mouse or MS-DOS cursor (blinking cursor)?
| ---------
| "Brian A." wrote:
|
| From the manual:
|
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/su...03_rev3_us.pdf
| To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu,
follow these
| steps:
| 1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu.
(Or turn on
| power.)
| 2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of
the screen.
|
| IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds.
If you do not
| press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.
|
|
| --
|
| Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
| Conflicts start where information lacks.
| http://basconotw.mvps.org/
|
| Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
| How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
|
|
| "John" wrote in message
| ...
| Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some
| circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into
BIOS/CMOS
| setup...
|
| I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!
|
| If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and
reply.
| Thank you for the link.
|
| "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:
|
| 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).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

This is actually 'John' but I changed my profile name to 'BinaryConverted'.

Either way, repeatedly pressing or holding the F10 key down will cause the
machine to constantly beep. And it is not going into BIOS/CMOS setup.

Yes, cursors when the system boot's, but many different types.

The first blinks when I get this damned message which takes up most of the
boot time:

"****** KB OK"

It blinks for more than two seconds.

Next one is after the 'Windows 98 Second Edition' logo appears.

Again, more than two seconds.
After that, I see the wallpaper and suddenly Windows 98 appears.

Have to go with you on this one )

"Compaqs, especially of that era, were downright weird machines."
The one I am using now is a completely DUMBFOWL - it is a Compaq aswell.

Ok. Yes, I will try one the 'Fn' key on the keyboard before the F10.

And one question: Do I need to post a new topic just to make this easier to
access?
--
Forums - Aren''t they wonderful?


"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

When you say, "constantly beep", is that when you're pressing the FD10 key
repeatedly, or holding it down? Does it quit when you stop pressing any key?
If so, that's just the "stuck-key" error.

The cursor we're talking about is similar to a DOS cursor, just a plain
horizontal line fragment that blinks. IIRC, it might even be at the upper
right instead of upper left. Do you see any blinking cursor at all? If so,
as noted, it only appears for a short time, and you only want to try F10
when it appears, not before or after (so as to avoid the "stuck key" error.)

Only other way I know to force BIOS is to replace the CMOS battery, and with
Compaq, I'm not even sure that would work. Compaqs, especially of that era,
were downright weird machines. Did a lot of things very differently from the
rest of the crowd.

Hmmm... Not sure about that machine, but seems to me that at least some
laptops, if not most, have/had a Fn or F-lock key that you have to press
before the F keys will work... I think... Not really too familiar with the
things, not like I am with desktops.

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

"John" wrote in message
...
Brian A and Gary, I could not start the Compaq Utilities. The computer
will
constantly beep and I then have to shut it down.

What cursor? Mouse or MS-DOS cursor (blinking cursor)?
---------
"Brian A." wrote:

From the manual:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/su...03_rev3_us.pdf
To access Computer Setup (or Diagnostics) on the Compaq Utilities menu,
follow these
steps:
1. Restart the computer by clicking Shut Down on the Windows Start menu.
(Or turn on
power.)
2. Press F10 as soon as the cursor appears in the upper-right corner of
the screen.

IMPORTANT: The cursor is displayed on the screen for about two seconds.
If you do not
press F10 during this time, you must restart the computer and try again.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375


"John" wrote in message
...
Sorry Gary. F10 didn't work. However, you may be correct in some
circumstances. My other Compaq laptop uses the F10 key to get into
BIOS/CMOS
setup...

I will read the website and see what works and what doesn't!

If I can or can't fix the problem, I will get back to the website and
reply.
Thank you for the link.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

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).

"BinaryConverted" .(myyahoodisposableaddress) wrote
in message ...
This is actually 'John' but I changed my profile name to 'BinaryConverted'.

Either way, repeatedly pressing or holding the F10 key down will cause the
machine to constantly beep. And it is not going into BIOS/CMOS setup.

Yes, cursors when the system boot's, but many different types.

The first blinks when I get this damned message which takes up most of the
boot time:

"****** KB OK"

It blinks for more than two seconds.

Do you see the POST or the Compaq logo at boot? The POST screen shows the memory
count, drive detection, kb/mouse detection and a few other things.
If you see the POST, as soon as it appears press the PAUSE key immediately.
Look for anything that mentions "To Enter Setup - Press (key)".
Press any key to resume boot and immediately press the key noted to enter setup.
If it gets by then you'll have to reboot and try again.


Next one is after the 'Windows 98 Second Edition' logo appears.

Once you get to the Windows logo it's to late and passed being able to enter the
BIOS.


Again, more than two seconds.
After that, I see the wallpaper and suddenly Windows 98 appears.

Have to go with you on this one )

"Compaqs, especially of that era, were downright weird machines."
The one I am using now is a completely DUMBFOWL - it is a Compaq aswell.

Ok. Yes, I will try one the 'Fn' key on the keyboard before the F10.

And one question: Do I need to post a new topic just to make this easier to
access?

No.

--
Forums - Aren''t they wonderful?

Yes, they're a great resource for help and information.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375





"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

When you say, "constantly beep", is that when you're pressing the FD10 key
repeatedly, or holding it down? Does it quit when you stop pressing any key?
If so, that's just the "stuck-key" error.

The cursor we're talking about is similar to a DOS cursor, just a plain
horizontal line fragment that blinks. IIRC, it might even be at the upper
right instead of upper left. Do you see any blinking cursor at all? If so,
as noted, it only appears for a short time, and you only want to try F10
when it appears, not before or after (so as to avoid the "stuck key" error.)

Only other way I know to force BIOS is to replace the CMOS battery, and with
Compaq, I'm not even sure that would work. Compaqs, especially of that era,
were downright weird machines. Did a lot of things very differently from the
rest of the crowd.

Hmmm... Not sure about that machine, but seems to me that at least some
laptops, if not most, have/had a Fn or F-lock key that you have to press
before the F keys will work... I think... Not really too familiar with the
things, not like I am with desktops.

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

snipped

I don't see a Compaq logo at boot.

I am just not sure about these blinking cursors. After more than two seconds
it shows another cursor again (as if I press the 'ENTER' key after it says
'****** OK')

--
Forums - Aren't they wonderful?
"Brian A." wrote:

"BinaryConverted" .(myyahoodisposableaddress) wrote
in message ...
This is actually 'John' but I changed my profile name to 'BinaryConverted'.

Either way, repeatedly pressing or holding the F10 key down will cause the
machine to constantly beep. And it is not going into BIOS/CMOS setup.

Yes, cursors when the system boot's, but many different types.

The first blinks when I get this damned message which takes up most of the
boot time:

"****** KB OK"

It blinks for more than two seconds.

Do you see the POST or the Compaq logo at boot? The POST screen shows the memory
count, drive detection, kb/mouse detection and a few other things.
If you see the POST, as soon as it appears press the PAUSE key immediately.
Look for anything that mentions "To Enter Setup - Press (key)".
Press any key to resume boot and immediately press the key noted to enter setup.
If it gets by then you'll have to reboot and try again.


Next one is after the 'Windows 98 Second Edition' logo appears.

Once you get to the Windows logo it's to late and passed being able to enter the
BIOS.


Again, more than two seconds.
After that, I see the wallpaper and suddenly Windows 98 appears.

Have to go with you on this one )

"Compaqs, especially of that era, were downright weird machines."
The one I am using now is a completely DUMBFOWL - it is a Compaq aswell.

Ok. Yes, I will try one the 'Fn' key on the keyboard before the F10.

And one question: Do I need to post a new topic just to make this easier to
access?

No.

--
Forums - Aren''t they wonderful?

Yes, they're a great resource for help and information.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375





"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

When you say, "constantly beep", is that when you're pressing the FD10 key
repeatedly, or holding it down? Does it quit when you stop pressing any key?
If so, that's just the "stuck-key" error.

The cursor we're talking about is similar to a DOS cursor, just a plain
horizontal line fragment that blinks. IIRC, it might even be at the upper
right instead of upper left. Do you see any blinking cursor at all? If so,
as noted, it only appears for a short time, and you only want to try F10
when it appears, not before or after (so as to avoid the "stuck key" error.)

Only other way I know to force BIOS is to replace the CMOS battery, and with
Compaq, I'm not even sure that would work. Compaqs, especially of that era,
were downright weird machines. Did a lot of things very differently from the
rest of the crowd.

Hmmm... Not sure about that machine, but seems to me that at least some
laptops, if not most, have/had a Fn or F-lock key that you have to press
before the F keys will work... I think... Not really too familiar with the
things, not like I am with desktops.

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

snipped

"John" wrote in message

| "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?

Agreed! So-- is your machine a laptop or not? Can you boot a Startup
Diskette...?...

http://www.bootdisk.com/ , if you don't already have one from "Control
Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup Disk tab". Copy-protect the
diskette, put it in & turn on the computer.

At the A:\ prompt, enter "DIR" (no quotes). Did you get a listing?

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR

PCR wrote:

So-- is your machine a laptop or not? Can you boot a Startup
Diskette...?...

His hard drive was pooched, but he doesn't want to say that I was
right, so he just let the thread die.