setup bios

[lurcher98]

im installing a new harddrive with no setup bios on it what software do i need to install the bios:confused:

[setoguro]

Welcome to the PC Guide.
I'm guessing that your referring to the the specs that should be written on the HDD some were aren't there. So just set the jumper on the back of the drive (master or slave ) then pop it in. Make sure that the BIOS is set to auto detect the drive and sees it ok. If everything is ok then chop it up to your liking (partition and format).

[Budfred]

The BIOS is the software that controls your motherboard and thus your whole system. The hard drive doesn't have a separate BIOS, but the main BIOS needs to be set up to detect it as noted in setoguro's post. You need to set jumpers on the back of the hard drive to make it operate properly. If it is your main hard drive, you would generally set it to Master. If it is a second drive, you would usually set for Slave. There are exceptions to this, so let us know if you run into trouble. The drive should have instruction for how to set it, but it is also printed on the drive itself.

Once the drive is installed and recognized, you need to partition and format it to use it. You should have received software with the drive to help you do that. Again, let us know if you have questions. Once it is formatted you can begin installing software.

Budfred

[lurcher98]

thanks wil try that jumpers are set but will put ol;d drive back in and check the old settings will keep you updated on my progress

[lurcher98]

hi there
no luck with the bios as the old harddrive doesnt have it on there either!!!!! HEEEEEELLLLPPPPPPPP

[Paul Komski]

3Qs.

What PC (and specs) are you using?

Which HDD are you trying to install?

And have you partioned and formatted your new HDD?

[Budfred]

Again, your hard drive doesn't have a BIOS, don't bother looking for it, it won't be there. It does need to be detected by the motherboard BIOS and you need to have partitioned and formatted it to use it.

[YODA74]

Harddrive Bios..Not sure where were going with this one?:)

[Rick]

Unless your talking about SCSI
Then the Scsi controller card will load a Bios after it detects a HDD

[lurcher98]

thx again guys . prob i have is that theres no bios ( f10) setup anywhere on the computer. when i put the new hdd in it doesnt recognise the floppy drive or cdrom drive i was told that i had to setup the bios so that it would recognise it.it is a compaq mmx 5166 deskpro and the hardrive is a maxtor.i need to install this new hdd somehow but its giving me more probs than any other ive ever installed. its driving me nuts here!!!!!:confused: :eek:

[Paul Komski]

Compaqs are highly proprietary and require the bios to be incorporated on the HDD. You will need the ROMPAQ for your model and operating system from http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/index.html

You were correct - there should be BIOS on your HDD. One of the reasons for asking which PC you were using. LOL :D

The old HDD probably had them on a hidden partition.

[Budfred]

Ahh yes, the old Compaq BIOS on the hard drive trick....It all becomes clear now...:D

As Paul said, you do need to install the BIOS on Compaqs because older ones have this really stupid system of loading the BIOS setup stuff on a hidden partition of the hard drive. The good news is that you can replace it with the ROMPAQ. You will have to make a floppy to do so (instructions are on the Compaq site) and you may end up having to use the floppy every time you need to get into the BIOS.

[lurcher98]

thx alot to all of you will download the rompaq and get installing:D