System is acting very strange - What do I do?

J

John

Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem to work
properly.
Apart from all the hard drive and boot problems, there are more problems
with the drivers on the computer.

Here are the problems:

1. When I finally decided to try it (after some considerable time) it said
that it found a permanent hard drive failure. What The?

2. At startup, the sound driver produces this loud 'BEEP'. I have no idea
what it is, but it also happens when I insert the PC Card. There is also no
sound.

3. After installing a mouse driver from a CD, it told me that the driver
would be ready to use - after resolving a conflict. Do I fix it? Yes. But it
doesn't let me!

4. The display settings are using the wrong color. "John, just change it in
the Display properties!". Can't do that either. I was thinking of updating
the drivers anyway.

5. After running a few programs on the computer, decided to stop editing
the system files through DOS. Computer screen goes white and system stops
responding.

6. There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed on it.
Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the person who gave it to
us didn't pick up the laptop!

7. The keyboard doesn't work while I am in the 'Windows 98 Startup Menu'.
Am I suppose to update the BIOS and Keyboard drivers as well?

That is just some of the problems I found out. I suppose it is a virus, but
I don't know how to install an antivirus program on it without the screen
going blank.

I am going to try the System Restore and MS-DOS Scandisk and Scanreg, but
while it does that, I am going to have to study how to identify and remove a
virus.

Any help is really appreciated.

John.
 
M

MEB

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FA0DFC70-F25E-4665-A5C9-319EEF1A5B5E@microsoft.com...
| Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem to work
| properly.
| Apart from all the hard drive and boot problems, there are more problems
| with the drivers on the computer.
|
| Here are the problems:
|
| 1. When I finally decided to try it (after some considerable time) it
said
| that it found a permanent hard drive failure. What The?
|
| 2. At startup, the sound driver produces this loud 'BEEP'. I have no idea
| what it is, but it also happens when I insert the PC Card. There is also
no
| sound.
|
| 3. After installing a mouse driver from a CD, it told me that the driver
| would be ready to use - after resolving a conflict. Do I fix it? Yes. But
it
| doesn't let me!
|
| 4. The display settings are using the wrong color. "John, just change it
in
| the Display properties!". Can't do that either. I was thinking of updating
| the drivers anyway.
|
| 5. After running a few programs on the computer, decided to stop editing
| the system files through DOS. Computer screen goes white and system stops
| responding.
|
| 6. There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed on
it.
| Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the person who gave it
to
| us didn't pick up the laptop!
|
| 7. The keyboard doesn't work while I am in the 'Windows 98 Startup Menu'.
| Am I suppose to update the BIOS and Keyboard drivers as well?
|
| That is just some of the problems I found out. I suppose it is a virus,
but
| I don't know how to install an antivirus program on it without the screen
| going blank.
|
| I am going to try the System Restore and MS-DOS Scandisk and Scanreg, but
| while it does that, I am going to have to study how to identify and remove
a
| virus.
|
| Any help is really appreciated.
|
| John.


Sure, maybe we can help... but you really have to give us something to work
with...

How about what make and model for the first answer.

How about the exact error messages.

How about what diagnostic routines you have already tried...

As for the beeps, likely BIOS attempts to advise of issues, was there any
pattern?

And did you check the internal batteries for CMOS/BIOS and any other
additional (some have three).

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________
 
B

Brian A.

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FA0DFC70-F25E-4665-A5C9-319EEF1A5B5E@microsoft.com...
> Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem to work
> properly.
> Apart from all the hard drive and boot problems, there are more problems
> with the drivers on the computer.
>
> Here are the problems:
>
> 1. When I finally decided to try it (after some considerable time) it said
> that it found a permanent hard drive failure. What The?

Download/run a disk diagnostic utility to check the drives integrity from the HD
manufacturer support site. If the drive is done in or has many bad sectors which
indicates it's on its way south, you'll need to install another drive in its place.

Will it boot to Safe Mode?

Do you have another PC available to connect the HD in as a slave to see if you can
access the disk?

>
> 2. At startup, the sound driver produces this loud 'BEEP'. I have no idea
> what it is, but it also happens when I insert the PC Card. There is also no
> sound.

Check your beep pattern for the BIOS installed here for causes:
http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm

http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/dos/
>
> 3. After installing a mouse driver from a CD, it told me that the driver
> would be ready to use - after resolving a conflict. Do I fix it? Yes. But it
> doesn't let me!

If you can boot to Safe Mode you will be able to remove any/all unessential device
drivers not needed to use Windows. Once removed shut down and remove/disconnect
any/all hardware peripherals/adapters leaving only the monitor, mouse and keyboard
connected. If you can successfully boot to Windows, shut down, install the video
adapter and see if it will boot successfully to Windows. If you can, shut down,
install the sound card and boot. Keep doing this until all devices are installed or
the sytem fails to boot due to the device just installed, that of course is if you
were able to boot with only the mon/kb/mouse.

>
> 4. The display settings are using the wrong color. "John, just change it in
> the Display properties!". Can't do that either. I was thinking of updating
> the drivers anyway.

That's what you need to do if you can get into Windows.

>
> 5. After running a few programs on the computer, decided to stop editing
> the system files through DOS. Computer screen goes white and system stops
> responding.

Editing System files, not good. What System files?

>
> 6. There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed on it.
> Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the person who gave it to
> us didn't pick up the laptop!

You sure it's not Encyclopedia Britticana?
If this is a laptop I guess you'll have to skip removing physical harware.

>
> 7. The keyboard doesn't work while I am in the 'Windows 98 Startup Menu'.
> Am I suppose to update the BIOS and Keyboard drivers as well?

The way it's looking I'm not sure if anything will help.

>
> That is just some of the problems I found out. I suppose it is a virus, but
> I don't know how to install an antivirus program on it without the screen
> going blank.
>
> I am going to try the System Restore and MS-DOS Scandisk and Scanreg, but
> while it does that, I am going to have to study how to identify and remove a
> virus.

http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/dos/

>
> Any help is really appreciated.
>
> John.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
9

98 Guy

Watch this, MEB, as I craft a properly composed and edited usenet
reply. Something you are unable or too lazy to do.

John wrote:

> Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem
> to work properly.
>
> 1. it said that it found a permanent hard drive failure.
> What The?

Your hard drive is failing, and diagnosing all other problems is not
useful until or unless you obtain a new hard drive and re-install
windows-98.

Hard drives have a finite lifespan, which is generally 5 years. While
drives made in the past 3-4 years have really good MTBF
(mean-time-between-failure), drives made back in 1998 - 2002 had lower
MTBF's.
 
M

MEB

"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:469B7B48.F8C56E0A@Guy.com...
| Watch this, MEB, as I craft a properly composed and edited usenet
| reply. Something you are unable or too lazy to do.
|
| John wrote:
|
| > Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem
| > to work properly.
| >
| > 1. it said that it found a permanent hard drive failure.
| > What The?
|
| Your hard drive is failing, and diagnosing all other problems is not
| useful until or unless you obtain a new hard drive and re-install
| windows-98.
|
| Hard drives have a finite lifespan, which is generally 5 years. While
| drives made in the past 3-4 years have really good MTBF
| (mean-time-between-failure), drives made back in 1998 - 2002 had lower
| MTBF's.

Its a laptop idiot!!! Diagnostic routines for these older laptops must
first deal with the potential internal batteries and their replacement...

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________
 
9

98 Guy

MEB wrote:

> | > Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem
> | > to work properly.

> Its a laptop idiot!!!

Based only on this cryptic paragraph:

"There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed
on it. Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the
person who gave it to us didn't pick up the laptop!"

The last sentence doesn't make sense.

Anyone who doesn't know what "Britticana" is probably isin't ready for
computers anyways.

> Diagnostic routines for these older laptops must first deal
> with the potential internal batteries and their replacement...

You can putz with batteries all you want. If we are dealing with a
laptop, the OP is probably running it off it's AC adaptor anyways.

"it said that it found a permanent hard drive failure"

A hard drive with media errors will give all sorts of unpredictable
software and operational errors. Unless there is important personal
information or files on it, the best course of action is to replace
the drive and re-install the OS and apps.
 
M

MEB

"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:469C00B7.2E26BA68@Guy.com...
| MEB wrote:
|
| > | > Hello. I am using an old Windows 98 computer that doesn't seem
| > | > to work properly.
|
| > Its a laptop idiot!!!
|
| Based only on this cryptic paragraph:
|
| "There is some sort of program called 'Britticana 2005' installed
| on it. Have no idea what that is for. I guess that is why the
| person who gave it to us didn't pick up the laptop!"
|
| The last sentence doesn't make sense.
|
| Anyone who doesn't know what "Britticana" is probably isin't ready for
| computers anyways.

Leave the person alone, you aren't exactly god's gift to mankind.... nor
are you mensa material...

|
| > Diagnostic routines for these older laptops must first deal
| > with the potential internal batteries and their replacement...
|
| You can putz with batteries all you want. If we are dealing with a
| laptop, the OP is probably running it off it's AC adaptor anyways.
|
| "it said that it found a permanent hard drive failure"
|
| A hard drive with media errors will give all sorts of unpredictable
| software and operational errors. Unless there is important personal
| information or files on it, the best course of action is to replace
| the drive and re-install the OS and apps.

YEEEEAAAHHH, but with a laptop you have suspend/hibernation issues, loss of
CMOS settings, and a myriad of other potentials to deal with, which are
SPECIFIC/UNIQUE to laptops/notebooks.

Plugging it into a power adapter corrects NONE of the issues the deep
discharge or extended lack of use will cause with laptops/notebooks, and the
potential IS that the hard drive may APPEAR as bad, when its nothing more
than bad batteries/power [which may still take a charge if left plugged in,
or need replaced] and resetting the laptop to the proper settings.

So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you as
semi-intelligent,,, let this group continue to try to guide these people
that come through here for help...
 
9

98 Guy

MEB spewed:

> So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you
> as semi-intelligent,,,

You really are an ass hole.
 
M

MEB

"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:469C0C89.76E8D91E@Guy.com...
| MEB spewed:
|
| > So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you
| > as semi-intelligent,,,
|
| You really are an ass hole.

Well, let's review your history here...

When you brought your ideas to this group regarding IE hacks, I was the
ONLY one who attempted to work with you on that... you didn't apparently
pick-up on TESTING techniques required ....

When you brought your ideas concerning hard drives to this group, we all
tried to direct you to the materials you needed to understand and consider
for your presentation... glad you picked up on SOME of that.. to bad you
didn't grasp the full picture...

When you started your "you don't need firewalls anymore" we but in
particular I, tried to direct you to the FACTS of networking and Internet
use, regretfully that was apparently beyond your abilities to understand...

Shall I go through other of your posts here?????

And here you are trying to direct someone to spend money for something
BEFORE you have verified that is the problem....

So perhaps I may appear to be an *AH* NOW, but really, you need to THINK
before you type... and let those who do understand SRTSP, apply them.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________
 
J

John

I can answer most of those questions.

The model is a Compaq Armada, however, I do not know the date that it was
manafactured. The exact error messages looked something like this:

"IntelliSafe detected a permanant hard disk error"

I have tried to create a new user account, editing the 'WIN.ini' file and
deleting all the users, but none of those worked.

Yes, there was a pattern for the beeps - There were 2 short rising beeps,
and it also happens when the PC Card is inserted.

No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the laptop
does not charge at all.

I hope this could answer some questions.

John.

MEB wrote:
> Sure, maybe we can help... but you really have to give us something to work
> with...
>
> How about what make and model for the first answer.
>
> How about the exact error messages.
>
> How about what diagnostic routines you have already tried...
>
> As for the beeps, likely BIOS attempts to advise of issues, was there any
> pattern?
>
> And did you check the internal batteries for CMOS/BIOS and any other
> additional (some have three).
>
> --
> MEB
> http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
> ________
>
>
>
 
J

John

Anger Management!

"MEB spewed:

> So take your simplistic ideas to a forum where they may laud you
> as semi-intelligent,,,

You really are an ass hole." - 98 Guy

"Well, let's review your history here...

When you brought your ideas to this group regarding IE hacks, I was the
ONLY one who attempted to work with you on that... you didn't apparently
pick-up on TESTING techniques required ....

When you brought your ideas concerning hard drives to this group, we all
tried to direct you to the materials you needed to understand and consider
for your presentation... glad you picked up on SOME of that.. to bad you
didn't grasp the full picture...

When you started your "you don't need firewalls anymore" we but in
particular I, tried to direct you to the FACTS of networking and Internet
use, regretfully that was apparently beyond your abilities to understand...

Shall I go through other of your posts here?????

And here you are trying to direct someone to spend money for something
BEFORE you have verified that is the problem....

So perhaps I may appear to be an *AH* NOW, but really, you need to THINK
before you type... and let those who do understand SRTSP, apply them." - MBE
-----------------------------------------------------

NOW LETS GET OVER THIS CRAP AND GET ON WITH LIFE!!! OK?
 
M

MEB

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:903C8DD2-AABB-4E13-A58B-2372C8E791D3@microsoft.com...
| I can answer most of those questions.
|
| The model is a Compaq Armada, however, I do not know the date that it was
| manafactured. The exact error messages looked something like this:

It still may be useful to have the model number if available... like e***,
v***, 7400, 7800, m300, m700, etc.

|
| "IntelliSafe detected a permanant hard disk error"

Okay, doesn't look good:
United States Patent 6980381 -
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6980381-description.html

But on the HP/Compaq site there is some mention of specific hard drives
[Hitachi,,,] with problems, apparently requiring a firmware update/upgrade.
But without the model number this is all a "shot in the dark".
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...eId=321957&prodCatId=82710&prodSubCatId=89335 -
pick your model

|
| I have tried to create a new user account, editing the 'WIN.ini' file and
| deleting all the users, but none of those worked.

Okay, NIX the file modifications for a bit...

|
| Yes, there was a pattern for the beeps - There were 2 short rising beeps,
| and it also happens when the PC Card is inserted.

Let's get the model and specs out of the way....

|
| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
laptop
| does not charge at all.

That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather than
too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the interior
batteries [CMOS/other] need checked. It has been noted [laptop forums
mainly], that some laptops do not work well without SOME battery power
available.

|
| I hope this could answer some questions.
|
| John.

They did, and it doesn't look good, but let's at least look at the specific
model number specs. and issues to make sure...

|
| MEB wrote:
| > Sure, maybe we can help... but you really have to give us something to
work
| > with...
| >
| > How about what make and model for the first answer.
| >
| > How about the exact error messages.
| >
| > How about what diagnostic routines you have already tried...
| >
| > As for the beeps, likely BIOS attempts to advise of issues, was there
any
| > pattern?
| >
| > And did you check the internal batteries for CMOS/BIOS and any other
| > additional (some have three).
| >
| > --
| > MEB
| > ________
| >

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________
 
G

Gordon Freeman

"MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:

>|
>| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
>| laptop does not charge at all.
>
> That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
> than
> too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
> interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.


Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.

I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.

Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked the
BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program if
available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).
 
J

John

Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key combination!

We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
recovery disk etc.

I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
Setup.

I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.

"Gordon Freeman" wrote:

> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >|
> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
> >| laptop does not charge at all.
> >
> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
> > than
> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.
>
>
> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.
>
> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.
>
> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked the
> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program if
> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).
>
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

You don't know what make/model the machine is?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...
> Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
> combination!
>
> We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
> recovery disk etc.
>
> I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
> battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
> electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
> Setup.
>
> I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.
>
> "Gordon Freeman" wrote:
>
>> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >|
>> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
>> >| laptop does not charge at all.
>> >
>> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
>> > than
>> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
>> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.
>>
>>
>> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
>> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
>> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
>> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.
>>
>> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
>> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
>> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
>> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
>> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
>> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.
>>
>> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
>> the
>> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
>> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program
>> if
>> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
>> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).
>>
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

Sorry, missed the previous post.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...
> Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
> combination!
>
> We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
> recovery disk etc.
>
> I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
> battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
> electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
> Setup.
>
> I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.
>
> "Gordon Freeman" wrote:
>
>> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >|
>> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
>> >| laptop does not charge at all.
>> >
>> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
>> > than
>> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
>> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.
>>
>>
>> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
>> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
>> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
>> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.
>>
>> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
>> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
>> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
>> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
>> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
>> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.
>>
>> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
>> the
>> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
>> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program
>> if
>> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
>> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).
>>
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what model
number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the BIOS
battery that I came across:
http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has
some interesting hints.

Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the main
battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's not
really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those
things are NOT fun to work on.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...
> Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
> combination!
>
> We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
> recovery disk etc.
>
> I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
> battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
> electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
> Setup.
>
> I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.
>
> "Gordon Freeman" wrote:
>
>> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >|
>> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
>> >| laptop does not charge at all.
>> >
>> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
>> > than
>> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
>> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.
>>
>>
>> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
>> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
>> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
>> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.
>>
>> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
>> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
>> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
>> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
>> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
>> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.
>>
>> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
>> the
>> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
>> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program
>> if
>> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
>> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).
>>
 
J

John

Model Number? Sure!

Compaq Armada 1592DT

Hope it helps!

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what model
> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the BIOS
> battery that I came across:
> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has
> some interesting hints.
>
> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the main
> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's not
> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those
> things are NOT fun to work on.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...
> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
> > combination!
> >
> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions, no
> > recovery disk etc.
> >
> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts of
> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into BIOS/CMOS
> > Setup.
> >
> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.
> >
> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:
> >
> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> >|
> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in the
> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.
> >> >
> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect* rather
> >> > than
> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.
> >>
> >>
> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different hard
> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed to
> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.
> >>
> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it will
> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.
> >>
> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
> >> the
> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd want
> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics program
> >> if
> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).
> >>
>
>
>
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

Maybe this will help you.
http://tinyurl.com/3xu2ap

Did you manage to get into BIOS yet? F10 work?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ED095E07-DD46-4D09-88B0-1BA8F0D0516F@microsoft.com...
> Model Number? Sure!
>
> Compaq Armada 1592DT
>
> Hope it helps!
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:
>
>> The usual key for Compaq BIOSes is F10. It would be good to know what
>> model
>> number the machine is. Here's one set of instructions for replacing the
>> BIOS
>> battery that I came across:
>> http://www.tertullian.org/rpearse/armada/index.htm Kinda folksy, but has
>> some interesting hints.
>>
>> Really, I've been into laptops a lot, and so long as you disconnect the
>> main
>> battery and give it some time for the capacitors to discharge, there's
>> not
>> really much risk, if any, other than you mucking something up -- those
>> things are NOT fun to work on.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> www.grystmill.com
>>
>> "John" <John@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:20EEA03E-7263-4DBB-BCEA-931E20C5D532@microsoft.com...
>> > Yes, I need to get to the BIOS setup, but I do not know the key
>> > combination!
>> >
>> > We got this laptop from someone else, and yet, no CD, no instructions,
>> > no
>> > recovery disk etc.
>> >
>> > I do not want to look at all the components in the laptop to see if my
>> > battery is dead, due to the fact that capacitors can hold large amounts
>> > of
>> > electricity. I tried one key combination, but it didn't go into
>> > BIOS/CMOS
>> > Setup.
>> >
>> > I would say it was probably manafactured in between 1996 - 2000.
>> >
>> > "Gordon Freeman" wrote:
>> >
>> >> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >|
>> >> >| No, I couldn't check for CMOS/BIOS batteries. But the battery in
>> >> >the
>> >> >| laptop does not charge at all.
>> >> >
>> >> > That's not good. When those go bad [unless its a *new defect*
>> >> > rather
>> >> > than
>> >> > too many deep discharges] you have a real good indication that the
>> >> > interior batteries [CMOS/other] need checked.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Yes, if the BIOS battery is dead the BIOS will probably reset to its
>> >> defaults, which may assume a different configuration, e.g different
>> >> hard
>> >> drive - I had that once years ago: an 80MB disk was suddenly assumed
>> >> to
>> >> be a 60MB one by the BIOS, result being the laptop stopped working.
>> >>
>> >> I would go into BIOS setup at power on and verify all the settings are
>> >> right. You may need the manual for the machine to verify what the
>> >> settings should be. Note though that if the battery is dead then it
>> >> will
>> >> forget the settings again on power off, however if changing the BIOS
>> >> settings fixes the problem you will at least have isolated the problem
>> >> and can try and get the BIOS battery replaced.
>> >>
>> >> Of course it might be that the drive really is failing, having checked
>> >> the
>> >> BIOS settings and ensured the disk is being detected correctly you'd
>> >> want
>> >> to run a surface scan, (or preferably manufacturer's diagnostics
>> >> program
>> >> if
>> >> available, these will usaully look at the SMART data etc and see
>> >> information that is invisible to scandisk about failing sectors etc).
>> >>
>>
>>
>>
 
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