Done Something Silly!

[OnOff]

Compaq EVO W4000 pc, Intel P4 etc. The intent was to rebuild with a new HDD etc.

I made I think a mistake trying to update the BIOS from a 3.5" floppy - simply got the WRONG file on there.  Now it boots up to the initial Compaq screen and I briefly get options "F10 Setup" or "F12 Network Service Boot".

Trying F10 and I simply get a DOS screen with "Error loading operating system"

Trying F12 and I get to this screen with a rotating last symbol that does NOTHING else.



Try a Linux LiveCD maybe?

 

[steptoe]

Its unlikely to make it any worse, :C

Sounds like the MBR is corrupt, dunno if a live cd can recover that, but Im sure something will be able to.

 

[Andy™]

what was wrong with the old 'if it aint broke, dont fix it'?

 

[OnOff]

Will try a LiveCD but wondering if this would help as in I maybe fekked the system ROM:

http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/psi/swdDetails/?swItem=PSG_I14631-36408&ac.admitted=1381936323613.876444892.199480143

what was wrong with the old 'if it aint broke, dont fix it'?

Where's the fun in that?  

Seriously, the pc was tired, a BIOS update was available, so I thought.........................and that was my first mistake!  :lol:

 

[Sidewinder]

It looks like you have either flashed the BIOS with a network boot ROM, or, the wrong BIOS.

Get the right one, and see if you can interrupt the boot, to get you into the BIOS, it may, have just changed the boot order too.

 

[OnOff]

It looks like you have either flashed the BIOS with a network boot ROM, or, the wrong BIOS.

Get the right one, and see if you can interrupt the boot, to get you into the BIOS, it may, have just changed the boot order too.

Yes I think you're right. Scoobed btw. Just got to wade through which one I need:

http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/psi/swdHome/?sp4ts.oid=97156&spf_p.tpst=swdMain&spf_p.prp_swdMain=wsrp-navigationalState%3DswEnvOID%253D1093%257CswLang%253D%257Caction%253DlistDriver&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken#BIOS

 

[kerching]

WD 40, if that doesnt work then beat it into submission with a brick

just helping....

 

[Doc Hudson]

WD 40, if that doesnt work then beat it into submission with a brick

just helping....

Or wrap it in PTFE tape, seems to work for every problem plumbers encounter.

Doc H.

 

[OnOff]

Think I've got the right BIOS but need to create a 3.5" floppy. No problems I thought, got an old 1.44MB disc and a  3.5" USB floppy. Only to find it needs to be done on a 32-bit machine!

 

[Nicky Tesla]

turn it off and back on again

 

[Badger]

turn it off and back on again

:slap

View attachment 4163

 

[septiclecky]

3.5" Floppy

take it to a local computer shop see if they can do anything

 

[Jono Pashley]

3.5" Floppy

take it to a local computer shop tip see if they can do anything

Fixed that for you!

 

[OnOff]

Seemed to create the floppy OK via a USB 3.5" drive on a working pc. Inserted the 3.5" diskette into the duff pc and rebooted.............now getting:

"605-Diskette Drive Type Error"

??? Still, further than before!

 

[Sidewinder]

Can you not get into the BIOS?

 

[OnOff]

Can you not get into the BIOS?

Nope. No "F" options to do so when it boots. However getting somewhere with this floppy I think.

 

[Sidewinder]

You don't need any F options.

Turn the thing off @ the mains.

Ensure it has a working keyboard & monitor.

Press & hold any key on the keyboard, do not let go.

Turn the computer on @ the mains.

It will fail keyboard test & dump you into the BIOS.

If this does not work, disconnect it from the mains, open it up, remove the BIOS battery for 15 mins.

Refit the battery.

Rebuild.

Power up, it should fall over as the BIOS will want to go back to default, which will require user interaction.

Used both before now.

ESC is also sometimes a BIOS access key.

What BIOS is it?

 

[NozSpark]

I thought that if you broke the BIOS then it'd be game over for the mother board

 

[Evans Electric]

Just run that past me again would you ...... :coat :innocent

You may jest ... I did boost the RAM on this thing from  1  something  to 4 somethings     ( KWs is it  ?) 

 

[OnOff]

ALL GOOD!

Back up and running. 3.5" BIOS disc worked!!! XP Pro on for a start and Ubuntu going on next for a dual boot. Can't decide on the split though it's a 160GB HDD.