I am trying to revamp an old computer for use in my classroom. I get a non-disk error message and it will not allow me to go farther. I tried to reload windows but it keeps saying I don't have a partition or cannot create directory. I went to fdisk and created partitions but each time I restart my changes are gone. I finally got windows loaded and restarted and windows was there, but the next day I was back to the non-disk error and no partitions. Now when I try to reload windows I get the message cannot create a temporary directory and something asking if I have HPFS or NTFS and I will need to set up a MS-DOS boot partition, but again when I do my changes aren't saved. I cannot get into BIOS. It is an older Compaq where the monitor is built in. Could this be a battery thing or something? Thanks in advance for your help.

Brian

Could be a battery, but I think some of those older Compaqs ( and others) the battery was soldered to the mother board or it was included in what is called a Dallas chip. One of the signs that you have a dead battery is that the machine will not keep the drive settings. The worrisome part is that yo say you can't access the BIOS...you need to get into it to be able to make sure that the drive paramters are correctly set...

Some more specific info about this machine would help...

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mjc
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The computer is a compaq presario CDS 524. I have never used it before so do not know a lot about it and cannot get into BIOS so am not sure where to find out anything specific on it. I scoured compaq's site and found some information. It has a 486DX2/66 processor, 270 MB hard drive, IDE CD, Real-time clock battery 4.5 volts, 600mA. Is that the information that can help? I found it at : ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/supportinformation/techpubs/qrg/presario500_rev3_us.pdf

Thanks

I would suggest only installing W95, or a very pared down version of W98, which with this hardware you'll see very slow performance .

Open the case and look for a small nickel sized Battery-this is the CMOS batt; it keeps all your settings on your hardware, i would replace that before attempting to configure anything else, also i would suggest you find out exactly what brand of harddrive you have and see if you can download a disk management software program from their site.

It would be wise to completely re-format this disk before attempting a new OS install.

You have to be aware also that with only around 250mb's of storage you're not going to have much, if any, room left to put programs on this drive. You might want to look around and see if you can get your hands on a 500-800mb drive for this system, it should have no problems supporting a drive of either these sizes.

Generally on a Compaq the BIOS is accessed by pressing the F10 key at boot.

One other note, if as MJC suggested this board has a soldered batt-then you're prety much out of luck unless you can find a local PC tech to get you a new battery. And even then it may not be cost effective.

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iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde

I've worked on one of those. You'll need the restore disk to install Windows, as with most Compaqs for years, part of the BIOS is stored on a hidden partition on the hard drive. Call Compaq and they can send you one. I tried installing Windows on one, you'll be lots better off getting the restore disk, trust me...

Most computers with soldered on batteries also have a header for an add-on battery. If it has that type, check with a local computer shop about a battery, the header for it should be near the original battery, which can be removed by clipping off the legs that are soldered to the motherboard. That type of battery is also notorious for leaking onto the motherboard and scrapping it. If the board has green corrosion around the battery you might as well write it off as junk. (I've scrapped a half dozen old boards for that reason.) Mount the battery with glue on velcro strips to a spot on the power supply or chassis that will be out of the way and still reach the headers. If it's a Dallas chip, make sure you get the exact same one, it should have DALLAS stamped on it and a number, match that number.

If you haven't found out already, once you find and remove the case screws, the entire innards slide out the front of that computer, everything is mounted on a tray. Be careful replacing it, it has contacts that must match when reassembled.

During boot look for a blinking cursor at top right, just after the memory count. Press [F10] before it stops blinking to get into BIOS. You'll have about 5 seconds.

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Thanks for all of the replies. I will let you know what I find out.