I own a Compaq Presario 5220, bought it new 2 years ago, am now trying to replace original Seagate 8gig (two partitions, the second a Compaq “System Save”) with a Maxtor 30gig hdd, and using Maxtor/Promise ata/100 board. I have the most current bios in the computer, and the computer recognizes the ata/100 card and the new drive. I am able to format the new drive, create 3 partitions (currently partitions d, f, and g), and use it as a slave, with and without the ata/100 card. However, I want to replace the old drive (currently partitions c and e, originally c and d) and thus make the new faster drive bootable. I try to copy the files from the old (partition c) to the new (partition d) using Maxtor's Maxblast software. Regardless of whether I attach the new drive to the ata/100 board, or bypass the ata/100 board and simply slave the new drive to the old drive, when I am copying files using maxblast, everything goes swimmingly, and then suddenly it stops and I get this error message: "invalid cluster number 44337764". I have tried every suggestion by Maxtor, different configurations, and I still get the same error message. I have scandisked and defragged the old drive, no problems. I have searched the internet unsuccessfully for the term "invalid cluster number". The techs at Compaq are not familiar with this error message. Does anyone know what this means, and how to fix it? Maxtor is stumped, and tells me to try 3rd party copying software or go out and start from scratch with Win98 or my restore disk. Since I cannot use the Compaq restore disk on a bigger drive (plus I've already added memory, a new faxmodem, and a new video card), and since I may need to go to a 3rd party copying utility or a copy of win98, and given the apparent need (from what I have read at the Compaq site) to keep the "system save" drive, what suggestions does anyone have about copying the old drive to the new drive? What copying software does anyone recommend (several techs at Maxtor have been almost too quick to point out that their Maxblast copying software is only so-so)? Also, should I create two separate partitions on the new drive and copy respectively from the old, or simply create one partition and allow the c/d partitioning to happen automatically in the process of making a "ghost" copy of the old drive, and add additional partitions later? Sorry this is so long, but I am trying to be very detailed and specific given the number of variables here. I would really appreciate any help. Thanks.

I've cloned a ton of drives successfully with Norton Ghost. It's easy to use and I never have any problems...if it finds a bad area, it will continue the copy anyway.

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"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

When you first installed the new drive, did you configure it as "AUTO" in the BIOS setup program? Your BIOS may also have an option to enable IDE "Block Mode". When you ran FDISK, did you enable large disk (LBA) support? Can you -- at least temporarily -- jumper the new drive as master and cable it to the motherboard as the secondary master, instead of as the primary slave?

You mention running ScanDisk on the old drive, but have you also done the new drive? If not, try that with the surface scan option checked.

Even with the most current BIOS version, your system may still not support that size HD. The chipset -- TX, BX, VIA or whatever -- may be the limiting factor.

This may be of some help: How to install DOS on a New Drive. The link on the page to where to find the ROMpaq is no longer valid, so you'll have to search for your model on the support site, if you have the original restore disk it should be a little easier.

Or you could try and trick it into restoring with the restore disk by formatting the new drive and setting up an 8GB partition and restoring to that partion, then remove the partitions,leaving the Compaq system partition and then transferring the contents of your old drive, just make sure that you don't reformat the old drive until you successfully transfer.



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mjc
I'm making my own links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Hi

Having just gone trough my own bit of hell from Compaq.. I will say the following:

Don't concern yourself with a winXXX-OS cd. It is of no use to you, and not needed.

Thats where I made my- initial mistake. The older Compaq's especially, only need the "Quick Restore" disk(s).

The explanation I recieved from them is that it has been made as simple as possible- little user input on a Restore.. "follow the bouncing ball".. kinda thing.

EVERYTHING, is on the Quick Restore disk, all original drivers and everything that was in the system to begin with.

I your trying to use win98 cd or boot disks or any- of that mess you can forget it on a Compaq. (unless your a master master techno wonder (*and then you will most likely be frustrated too)

The following is how Compaq says to do this:

"
Make sure to disconnect all third party devices from your system before doing a Quickrestore. Only leave mouse, keyboard and monitor connected.

NOTE: Quick Restoring your system will delete all files. (i.e. Email, Word and Works Documents, Downloaded files from the Internet, etc) Please back up all files you wish to keep. If you are unable to get into the operating system to back up your files you may wish to consult local data recovery center's depending on the importance of the files contained on the Hard Drive. Keep in mind all data backup is the responsibility of the owner of the Compaq Presario.

Please follow below steps completely, if the steps aren't followed certain software will not be installed after the Quickrestore is completed (i.e. Modem Drivers, Sound Card Drivers, Microsoft Works)

NOTE: Omit Quotations when typing in following commands
Insert Quick Restore CD Disc #1 into the top CD-ROM Drive
Restart the computer (This is done by holding the power button in until the system is powered off then press the power button once to turn it back on)
When you see the red Compaq Logo tap the F8 key repeatedly until you see the Windows 98 Startup Menu
From the list of options choose option #6 "Safe Mode Command Prompt Only" (Press the down arrow key until Safe Mode Command Prompt Only is highlighted and press Enter)
You will now be at an A:\ prompt type in the following "c:" press enter
On the screen will be C:\WINDOWS prompt type in the following "cd\windows\command" press enter
You will now be at C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND prompt type in "fdisk" press enter


How to Delete partitions with FDISK
You then get a long message Your computer has a disk larger than...
And it asks Do you wish to enable large disk support
Press Y for yes then press enter
You then get 4 options
Press 3 (Delete partition or logical DOS drive) then press enter
You then get 4 more options
Press 3 (Delete Logical DOS Drives(s) in Extended DOS Partition ) again then press enter
If you get a message There are no logical drives to delete, then proceed to step 23.
It will ask What logical partition do you want to delete
It will list the drive and should be letter B.
Press D then press enter
It will then ask Enter volume label
This too will be listed and is usually SYSTEM_SAV or SYSTEM_SAVE.
Have customer type it as it is shown then press enter
Then you get Are you sure?
Press Y for yes, then press enter
Then press ESC twice to get back to fdisk options
Press 3 (Delete partition or logical DOS drive) then press enter
Press 2 (Delete Extended DOS Partition) and press enter
You then get ...are you sure you want to continue
Press Y for yes then press enter
Then press ESC twice to get back to fdisk options
Press 3 (Delete partition or logical DOS drive) then press enter
Press 1 (Delete Primary DOS Partition) and press enter
You then get What primary partition do you want to delete
It should be listed as drive number 1
It will already be selected, just press enter
It will then ask Enter volume label
There shouldn't be any, so just press enter
You then get ...are you sure you want to continue
Press Y for yes and press enter
Now press ESC three times to completely exit out of fdisk
Restart the computer (Press the ctrl-alt-del keys simultaneously)
When the Compaq Logo appears, turn on Cap Locks (Do this by pressing the Caps Lock key above the left shift key)
You will be prompted with "Choose this line for English", press Enter
Welcome to Compaq Quick Restore, press ENTER
You will see a message that says "Compaq Quick Restore", press Enter
You will then get a message "Rebooting...please wait"
The Compaq Logo will reappear do not turn on Cap Locks this time
The message on the screen will say "Important Message", press enter
You will now be prompted with "Insert Recovery Disk", press Enter 3 times
On the screen you will be asked "Please select a Software Configuration, Select Model" (eg. 7478)
On the screen you will see "WARNING Quickrestore will destroy all data...", press Enter The following items will flash on and off on there own
Current process...checking current integrity
Current process...copying data
Current process...aligning data
Current process...changing structures
"Rebooting" (The system will completely restart)
You will then be prompted with "English 50% Insert the Second CD", remove Quickrestore Disk # 1 and Insert Quickrestore Disk #2, press ENTER
On the screen it will say "Working"
Once it finishes working it will prompt you to "Please re-insert THE FIRST CD of the English Quick Restore set", Insert Quickrestore Disk #1 and press ENTER
Quick Restore is installing the CD. Reading CD Information
Please remove your CD. Press any key to continue.
Loading Windows...Please Wait.
The system will automatically restart
On the screen you will see COMPAQ QUICKRESTORE
Rebooting...Please Wait.
The system will say "COMPAQ QUICKRESTORE" (This may take a while, keep waiting, its not frozen)
The system will boot into Windows
To complete the Quick Restore process, You will see a Compaq Quickrestore box in top right hand corner unzipping and installing drivers and software.
The system will again restart
Message "Preparing drive"
System Save, current process...copying data
The system will again restart
The system will start into Windows and begin install some hardware components
You will be prompted with "Getting Started, Enter first name and last name", click the next button
Put the bullet in "I accept this agreement", and click the next button
Fill out the registration screen and click the next button
Select the Country, US or Canada, enter your area code, and click the next button
You will be prompted with a registration reminder, click the next button
Change the date and time and click on apply button then on the ok button


This completes the Quickrestore Process"

hope this helps http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif



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"Remember your 'unique'... just like everyone else!"

I appreciate all the suggestions I received. As it turned out, the problem installing the new hard drive was due to the Maxblast Plus copying software provided by Maxtor. I went out and purchased PowerQuest's DriveCopy (Norton's Ghost cost twice as much, too expensive!!), I had read favorable reviews, I own PartionMagic by Powerquest and it always has worked great. Drivecopy was extremely easy to use, straightforward, and there were no hitches. The new drive works great. I boot up in half the time. So, for anyone with Compaq Presarios who want to upgrade their hdd with a Maxtor, beware. Also, I should note for others who might try to upgrade: I had the most current BIOS (dated 10/19/99), and so the computer natively read the entire 30 gigs of my 30 gig harddrive. In other words, I did not have to install their E-Z BIOS, and I have read that these drive overlays have their own problems. Also, I slaved the 30 gig Maxtor to the original Seagate hdd for the file copying, and then removed the old drive, set the Maxtor to cable select, and the computer read it easily. Finally, for those confused about the Compaq BIOS, when you got into the setup, there is no listing for setting the parameters of the hdd. In fact, there is no mention of hdds in the BIOS at all!! This is very confusing until you actually install a new hdd. In the process of booting up, right after the red COMPAQ screen, you get a single line message indicating that the computer is recognizing the new hdd. It is their own version of autodetect, and it just happens, there is nothing the user can set. I sure wish that Compaq would describe this somewhere. Once everything seems to be working okay, I plan to try to install the ATA/100 card and see if it works. Anyway, thanks again for all the suggestions. I am new to this site and love it.