I posted this to a computer general-purpose forum, but the two folks that have Compaq computer's didn't read it yet. Went to visit my quilting buddy Beth today, to drop something off. Before I knew it, I was trying to help with a computer problem. She has a Compaq Presario (possibily 5000 series) with WinXP. I think the original problem is hardware, so won't even mention it. However, was unable to turn on the POST beep in the bios. Does that option exist? What is it's name? Second question is XP-related. Got to safe mode and used the "troubleshooting option," but don't think I was in safe mode (??). On my Win98SE system, the GUI for safe mode is very different than the regular mode. When I picked the "troubleshooting option," the screen looked the same as it did in "regular mode." What option do I need to pick? Stand alone computer, in fact, is rarely used for internet access, as they haven't solved their "lack of phone line" access to the room where the computer is located. Running a long RJ11 cord down the hall to the computer is not a great option. I know this much (Marti holds her index finger and thumb about an inch apart) about WinXP and all I know about Compaq's is that you press F10 to access the BIOS. I tried to find something on the Compaq site, but I don't know the exact model number. Beth doesn't know, and I don't know how to find out. thanks, marti
I'm not sure if this helps, but most BIOSs have a "quick" POST setting. If your friend's Compaq has this too, then uncheck it and see what happens.
marti - Does this help? http://wwss1pro.compaq.com/support/reference_library/viewdocument.asp?source=DD980922_CW02.xml&dt=3 . Pete
Good Morning Pete, The link you provided goes to this article: Cannot View the Information on a Floppy Diskette after using the "Save To Floppy" Option in Computer Setup Utilities (F10 Setup) Huh
I was attempting to help you with that part of your question. On a Compaq, most of the bios setting stuff is accessible if you press the F10 key at boot-up. If her Compaq does not come up with a bios-setting screen when you press F10 at boot-up, you'll have to d/l the 'F10' set-up function to her computer to get it to work. If what I'm saying here doesn't make sense, try for similar articles at the Compaq site regarding bios settings/changes. If she needs to find out what model Compaq she has, all she has to do is go Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information - it should be right there on the opening page listed as "System Model" (right under "System Manufacturer" ). HTH Pete
LOL this is funny I was just writing about Compaq/HP in the HELP !!! Blaze Thread. I am very familier with the F10 Compaq thingy. If you don't have Compaq's BIOS stuff loaded on the first part of your Hard Drive (firat 8 meg) the F10 won't do you one bit of good In that case you need the two floppies to enter BIOS setup. I always keep a copy of those on hand Comaq/HP used the first 8 meg of your HD or the two setup floppies to access your BIOS. You can get those two floppies on the HP site still if F10 don't work. Your Model of your computer shows on boot. Here is something worth mentioning. 1. The serial number on back will help you figure out the Model. UNLESS one of these two has happened. Either somebody replaced the motherboard or changed the motherboard serial number in BIOS. they make that possible too and I worked on a computer that had both done LOL.
Problems were stated in the initial thread. Can't enable POST beep Don't know what option to select after acessing WINXP "safe mode."
You don't access that in safe mode dear. Only thru da BIOS Did you look at the serial number on back of computer? Here is da deal........... You can allow or disallow user interface in BIOS for various setting. That all depends on who had it and who did what. For instants , if it were owned by some company before, their IT person might have disabled some stuff in BIOS which only he had access to thru the password. FIND the MODEL is number 1... [glow=red,2,300]controler[/glow]
Safe mode and the BIOS settings are two different problems. I can get to the BIOS on her system, but need to know the "name" of the option to enable POST beep I can get to safe mode on her machine, but when I picked "troubleshooting," the GUI looked identical to the one when in regular mode. (I don't know anything about XP.) Serial number is 552677OEM..... (Beth read if off the original invoice when I called back to ask the model number.)
That doesn't look lke a serial number. Did the invoice say serial number? Plan A was back of computer or maybe bottom or BIOS Plan B is invoice LOL
If anyone needs it, this is the link to get the d/l for the "F10 Set Up For Older Systems" : http://www29.compaq.com/falco/sp_detail.asp?Model=2201&Os=0&SoftwareVer=14295 (for prior to 1999 computers). Pete
Spy 1 Doesn't your computer show this model at boot? Compaq Presario 7110US... Don't you have a serial number on bottom or back of your puter? Wit the correct model number MArti can find all the info she needs at HP [glow=red,2,300]controler[/glow]
controler - No, that info doesn't show at boot (I can access it by the method I outlined above for marti, though). marti - you said "MSINFO32 does not show the computer manufacturer on my Win98SE system." Since we're talking about Compaq's and WXP, you kind of lost me there. Pete
On my Win98SE system, start > run > msinfo32 is the same as Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information On my system, the computer manufacturer is not shown. I don't know what shows up on Beth's Compaq running WinXP. It's a new system, maybe 6 months old.
Pin down a Compaq If you've thought of this already, apologies....... Somewhere on the PC case (prob at the back) will be a unique identification nr. Go to the Compaq website, and you should be able to use that nr to identify all the details of that partic box when it shipped. Armed with that info, you will be able to download all the correct professional maintenance docs you could ever need. Hope this helps
Hi Pete, I was able to catch Beth a little while ago, but she was on her way out the door. So, thanks for all of the help from you and Controler have given. marti
Re: Compaq & XP question Hi nadirah, No offense, but simple bashing won't do around here. That is not our habit. It is perfectly fine to tell us why you dont like a certain brand or software, but simply stating so (in a two year old thread) does not make a nice impression. Regards, Pieter
