Computer with problems

[Tracker]

I have a Compaq Model 4500 that has developed a problem. When I boot up it goes through the regular check and shows everything has "passed", but the it says:
Error: PS2 Mouse Configuration Error-Device disabled
Hit F1 to continue or F10 to enter setup

When I hit F10 it goes to setup, but I do not find any place to enable the mouse. When I hit F1 to continue it beeps and says "No operating system found."

I have a restore disk, but it does nothing when I put it in the drive.
How can I restore my system? Any thoughts?

Thanks, Tracker

[Vic 970]

am using a deskpro 4000 at the moment.

I assume that you found the mouse in setup ? which only shows the mouse but does not allow it to be enable or disable.

is the mouse plugged in properly ? have you tried another mouse ?

[Tracker]

Thank you for responding! I still have not found the mouse in setup anywhere. I am trying bootdisks and when the a drive attempts to read them it still claims there is no O\S found. I believe this goes beyond a bad mouse since I cannot even find a way into DOS or safe mode...maybe you can direct me to them. Thank you again! Tracker

[setoguro]

Try booting up in safe mode and see if you can get in to the system that way. You can get around with out the mouse if you can indeed get in. But the mouse just may be a secondary problem if you find that your HDD is dead. Also I would suggest that you go to the Hard drive manufacturer's web site and download and run their diagnostics utility on your HDD.

If you get in you can try deleting the mouse in device manager then reboot and see if it will reinstall drivers for it.

[Tracker]

What is the best way to access "Safe Mode?" I am new to this part of computer ownership! ~GRIN!~ Regards, Tracker

[setoguro]

When you boot up the computer start pushing f8. That will get you to a menu were you can select to boot in safe mode.

[Tracker]

Thank you again for the help, but when I hit the F8 all that happens is I get the Compaq splash screen, then the bios info, then a black screen telling me that no O\S is found. I don't know if I can get into a DOS mode and see about doing and FDISK and Format. Any ideas? Thank you again. Tracker

[setoguro]

Try tapping the f8 key continually and fast when you boot up you may just be missing it with your timing.

[Paul Komski]

When I hit F1 to continue it beeps and says "No operating system found."
That sounds like:
Bad HDD
Formatted or Deleted system partiton
etc

... in which case safe mode is unlikely to take you anywhere since you need an OS for Safe Mode to function in.

Which Windows version was this by the way?
Is the restore disk a floppy or a CD or both?

Basically first try restoring - though you will probably have to do things the Compaq way. You may need to set the boot order appropriately in the BIOS depending on whether you are booting to a restore CD or floppy.

After that try a HDD diagnostic utility.

[Tracker]

I am starting to think the HDD is gone, I attempted to load DOS 6.22 on (floppy disks) and it said it was going to load and then after a few minutes said it could not continue as no fixed disk was found. I then used the DOS disk to attempt to FDISK and the same message popped up...no fixed disk was found. This was running Win 95, and the restore disk is a CD. I have rearranged the bios to start with the CD, then the floppy, and then finally the Hard drive...no O\S found when I booted to any of the 3. Oh well, looks like a a big door stop now. ~GRIN!~

[Vic 970]

you need F10 for safe mode, then setup, then built in devices, then input devices.

which is where mouse is listed.

if indeed hdd is dead, plenty on e-bay very cheap.

[jeeza]

Just as a hazardous guess : could there be anything wrong with the BIOS ? I know the BIOS is actually more "fundamental" than the OS's kernel. Could a BIOS virus (I don't know anything about those things themselves, I only know they exist) have incapacitated some I/O devices, such as your mouse ?

[Vic 970]

what's the history of the problem ie: was everything working fine until (someday) then next day it failed to boot, or had there been any previous problems, or human intervention etc ?

[avo]

Check your Hard Drive IDE cable connection. If it isnt seated properly the O/S wont be detected. Had this happen to me a couple of times. It might appear OK but try disconnecting then reattaching it again.

[PITA]

IF YOU HAVE A FUJITSU MPG SERIES HARD DRIVE THEN THATS YOUR PROMBLEM IF YOU GO TO THE FUJITSU WEB PAGE IT WILL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THESE HARD DRIVES. THEY ARE KNOW FOR CRASHING NOT FIXABLE. I HOPE THIS HELPS:)