unable to boot with newly built system

[NMcmu6937]

We have just put together a new system using a Compaq pulled mb and K26 processor 533Mhz (goes with mb) When we boot up, get the message operating system not found or any devices. Don't get the BIOS screen. If I put a startup disk in, get message non-system disk or disk error. Don't know where to go from here.

[opierob]

Did you try clearing the CMOS? When the computer boots up, does it do the Power On Self Test (POST)? Will it show you the memory amount? What operating system are you using?
I just put a new motherboard in my machine, and these are some of the problems I had with my computer. Reply with more info please
opierob

[Paleo Pete]

Compaq stores part of the BIOS in a partition on the hard drive, so the only way to really use the Motherboard would be to install the Compaq proprietary OS from the restore CD. Otherwise, you're missing part of the BIOS, and can never get it back.

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If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[NMcmu6937]

I have ordered the Quick Restore disk from Compaq. Is that what I need to solve this problem?
Also, what do you mean, if I had everything where would I put it?

[Paleo Pete]

The restore disk is what you need, that should do it. One other thing I thought of that may be a problem...

I'm not sure, but the BIOS might be looking for a Compaq ID on the hard drive. I don't know if Compaq sets their drives up with any kind of ID, but I do know they are as totally proprietary as possible, so you have to get replacement parts from Compaq, instead of cheaper computer stores, like CompUSA, Office MAX or Circuit City. I know the CD ROM, modem and floppy drive can be replaced, I've done it, but not sure about anything else.

Also, you might be restricted to the same size hard drive that was originally in the machine, since the fdisk routine on the restore disk has no options to change partition sizes. You highlight OK, hit [Enter], and the rest is automated. So if you use a 10GB hard drive on a motherboard that originally had a 4.3GB drive, it will make it one 3GB partition and one 1GB partition, and ignore the rest of the drive. No way to fix it that I know of. The 1GB partition is where the disk image and BIOS info are stored.

One thing I just noticed, the "Operating System not found" message means just that. No OS is available. You have to either boot to a windows start up disk or install the OS from the restore CD.

For the non-system disk error on the start up disk, it might be a corrupted disk, see if you can make one on another machine with the same OS, or download one from BootDisk (http://www.bootdisk.com). Write protect the disk so it can't be corrupted or pick up a virus. Also make sure the ribbon cable on the floppy drive is plugged in correctly.

One more note about boot disks: When you shut down a machine with a boot disk in it, the possibility does exist that the OS will try to write to it, which is one reason for making sure it's write protected. It basically writes gibberish onto your formerly usable start up disk. I've lost several that way.

As to my signature, think about it...if you had everything, just where do you think you'd put it? The world barely holds everything as it is...and some of it still floats away...Bill Clinton's memory for example...

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If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[NMcmu6937]

The hard drive I am using came out of another Compaq computer (different model #). Maybe I will try another start up disk, although I can read off this one on my computer. The restore disk should be here in 3-5 days. Thanks for your help.
YOu're right on about Billy boy!

[Paleo Pete]

OK, if you can read the start up disk on another computer, either the ribbon cable is backward somewhere, the floppy controller is bad, or the floppy is not set correctly in BIOS. The floppy drive could be bad too, swapping it to another machine and testing it is a hassle, but it will prove whether it's good or not. The nice thing is that floppy drives don't require any installation routines or drivers. Plug it in and go...

You can also test it with just a motherboard if you have some spare parts lying around. Only takes a motherboard, CPU, memory, video card and keyboard. Plug the whole thing in on a table and pop in a boot disk.

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If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[NMcmu6937]

I have a quick restore disk from my computer which is a 5700N. Would it be possible to use that on the new 7470? The one I have ordered has not arrived yet, so was just wondering.

[Paleo Pete]

Nope, the restore disk is machine specific, and can only be successfully used on the correct computer.

------------------
If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[NMcmu6937]

OK, I received the restore disks and they will not work. Says that I need Windows up and running. Tried to installl Win95 but says invalid system disk. When I put in the restore disk it say operating systme not found on any devices. So, back and forth and going nowhere.

[NMcmu6937]

The restore disk is not finding the hard drive. I called Compaq tech support the other night and a guy worked with me for about an hour and said that a "specialist" needed to call me back, that he would give him all the info. Well, the time frame had gone by so I called again tonight and was told they can't help me because I didn't buy the entire unit as a whole. I am so f'ing frustrated at tis point I do not know what to do.

[Paleo Pete]

If the drive parameters are set in BIOS, you might need to fdisk the drive and set an active partition. The restore disk should give you an option to do that, but I'm not positive what it would be called. Once you have an active partition, the restore disk should see the drive and continue with the installation.

Can't think of anything else...guess I need to wake up...

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Soon as I come up with all the answers...they change the questions!!

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[NMcmu6937]

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif When I fdisk, the hard drive does not show up. Maybe this is where the problem is. Do I need to do something else at this point?