Bios setup in Compaq Presario

[ms]

This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread, converted
from W95 to DOS.

I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
-----
"NOTE: On certain Compaq Presario PCs (prior to 2002) press the F10
key at the logo screen to enter setup."
-----

Pressing F10, F1, Escape, (this from other Compaq data). It continues to
boot to a DOS C prompt.

Can't get into Setup.

Advice?

ms

 

[glee]

"ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread, converted
> from W95 to DOS.
>
> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
> -----
> "NOTE: On certain Compaq Presario PCs (prior to 2002) press the F10
> key at the logo screen to enter setup."
> -----
>
> Pressing F10, F1, Escape, (this from other Compaq data). It continues to
> boot to a DOS C prompt.
>
> Can't get into Setup.
>
> Advice?

Try other keys: F2, F11, F12, DEL, and also key combos like Ctrl+Shift+S,
Ctrl+Alt+S, and other keys and combos such as found here:
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000192.htm
and
http://www.inventio.co.uk/getbios.htm
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
AumHa VSOP: http://aumha.net
DTS-L.ORG: http://66.39.69.143/

 

[ms]

"glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in
news:#oka$0aQIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
>> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread,
>> converted from W95 to DOS.
>>
>> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
>> -----
>> "NOTE: On certain Compaq Presario PCs (prior to 2002) press the F10
>> key at the logo screen to enter setup."
>> -----
>>
>> Pressing F10, F1, Escape, (this from other Compaq data). It continues
>> to boot to a DOS C prompt.
>>
>> Can't get into Setup.
>>
>> Advice?
>
> Try other keys: F2, F11, F12, DEL, and also key combos like
> Ctrl+Shift+S, Ctrl+Alt+S, and other keys and combos such as found
> here: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000192.htm
> and
> http://www.inventio.co.uk/getbios.htm

Thanks, Glen

ms

 

[pjp]

"ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:5sqms9F1a39t0U1@mid.individual.net...
> "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in
> news:#oka$0aQIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:
>
> > "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
> > news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
> >> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread,
> >> converted from W95 to DOS.
> >>
> >> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
> >> -----
> >> "NOTE: On certain Compaq Presario PCs (prior to 2002) press the F10
> >> key at the logo screen to enter setup."
> >> -----
> >>
> >> Pressing F10, F1, Escape, (this from other Compaq data). It continues
> >> to boot to a DOS C prompt.
> >>
> >> Can't get into Setup.
> >>
> >> Advice?
> >
> > Try other keys: F2, F11, F12, DEL, and also key combos like
> > Ctrl+Shift+S, Ctrl+Alt+S, and other keys and combos such as found
> > here: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000192.htm
> > and
> > http://www.inventio.co.uk/getbios.htm
>
> Thanks, Glen

I have same problem with an early Compaq laptop (P133), e.g. can't access
BIOS using any key or key-combo I'm familiar with. Seems some Compaqs have
their BIOS setup buried on the hard disk and as this laptop has a diff hd in
it there's nothing there for the key to invoke! Can't find anything on
Compaq/HP's site that helps. I did however use included form on their pages
to point out to "CEO" that based upon that experience and that HP now uses
the "hidden partition" method for recovery disks, I'm not even considering
any of their models for new laptop purchase. I'll get one that comes with a
"full usable outside that specific machine" version of the OS also or I just
simply won't buy, period. I detest MS's various marketing stratagies,
especially the :locked to original pc" versions of Windows. Far as I'm
concerned Dell/HP/Compaq etc. should all tell MS to go f**k themselves with
that crap as it clearly deceives most users regarding what they've
purchased.

>
> ms

 

[Brian A.]

"ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message news:5sqms9F1a39t0U1@mid.individual.net...
> "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in
> news:#oka$0aQIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:
>
>> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
>> news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
>>> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread,
>>> converted from W95 to DOS.
>>>
>>> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
>>> -----
>>> "NOTE: On certain Compaq Presario PCs (prior to 2002) press the F10
>>> key at the logo screen to enter setup."
>>> -----
>>>
>>> Pressing F10, F1, Escape, (this from other Compaq data). It continues
>>> to boot to a DOS C prompt.
>>>
>>> Can't get into Setup.
>>>
>>> Advice?
>>
>> Try other keys: F2, F11, F12, DEL, and also key combos like
>> Ctrl+Shift+S, Ctrl+Alt+S, and other keys and combos such as found
>> here: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000192.htm
>> and
>> http://www.inventio.co.uk/getbios.htm
>
> Thanks, Glen
>
> ms

From HP/Compuke support:
<quote>
Pressing F10 opens the BIOS of Compaq Presario desktops 2001 and earlier.
Pressing F1 opens the BIOS of the S3000 series, 6400 series, and 2002 models of
Presario desktop computers.
Immediately press the F10 or F1 key repeatedly on the keyboard when the logo screen
displays.
</quote>

If you're having trouble with the timing hold any key down immediately upon boot
and it should produce a stuck key error with an option to go to setup.

You've been around here plenty enough to know that another way is to pull the CMOS
battery as another way.

--

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

 

[mc]

I think on my old 425 Lite I had to use the esc key
mc

 

[ms]

"glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in
news:#oka$0aQIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
>> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread,
>> converted from W95 to DOS.
>>
>> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
>> -----
>> "NOTE: On certain Compaq Presario PCs (prior to 2002) press the F10
>> key at the logo screen to enter setup."
>> -----
>>
>> Pressing F10, F1, Escape, (this from other Compaq data). It continues
>> to boot to a DOS C prompt.
>>
>> Can't get into Setup.
>>
>> Advice?
>
> Try other keys: F2, F11, F12, DEL, and also key combos like
> Ctrl+Shift+S, Ctrl+Alt+S, and other keys and combos such as found
> here: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000192.htm
> and
> http://www.inventio.co.uk/getbios.htm

Thanks for the links, saved them. I also searched the HP site, and looked
at data I previously saved.

Tried the following:
F1, F10 these are supposed to work for Compaq.
F2
ESC
DEL
CTRL + ALT + ESC
CTRL + ALT + INS
CTRL + ALT + ENTER
CTRL + ALT + S
PAGE UP KEY
PAGE DOWN KEY

No luck, this is a stubborn one. But searching on the net and in this
thread, it seems not unknown that setup is tough to get into on some
Compaqs. On other Compaqs, I had no trouble.

If necessary, I will go on, this was only to help install DOS from the A
drive.

ms

 

[ms]

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in
news:uG1mqUbQIHA.4656@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl:

> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:5sqms9F1a39t0U1@mid.individual.net...
>> "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in
>> news:#oka$0aQIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:
>>
>>> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
>>> news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
>>>> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread,
>>>> converted from W95 to DOS.
>>>>
>>>> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
>>>> -----
>>>> "NOTE: On certain Compaq Presario PCs (prior to 2002) press the F10
>>>> key at the logo screen to enter setup."
>>>> -----
>>>>
>>>> Pressing F10, F1, Escape, (this from other Compaq data). It
>>>> continues to boot to a DOS C prompt.
>>>>
>>>> Can't get into Setup.
>>>>
>>>> Advice?
>>>
>>> Try other keys: F2, F11, F12, DEL, and also key combos like
>>> Ctrl+Shift+S, Ctrl+Alt+S, and other keys and combos such as found
>>> here: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000192.htm
>>> and
>>> http://www.inventio.co.uk/getbios.htm
>>
>> Thanks, Glen
>>
>> ms
>
> From HP/Compuke support:
> <quote>
> Pressing F10 opens the BIOS of Compaq Presario desktops 2001 and
> earlier. Pressing F1 opens the BIOS of the S3000 series, 6400 series,
> and 2002 models of Presario desktop computers.
> Immediately press the F10 or F1 key repeatedly on the keyboard when
> the logo screen displays.
> </quote>
>
> If you're having trouble with the timing hold any key down
> immediately upon boot
> and it should produce a stuck key error with an option to go to setup.
>
> You've been around here plenty enough to know that another way is to
> pull the CMOS
> battery as another way.
>
Thanks Brian.

As earlier in thread, tried above keys.

With stuck key: 301- keyboard error, a small screen opens - F1 Boot,
that's all.

Pulling the battery is something I may have to do later on another
machine.

ms

 

[mc]

For what its worth here is some general BIOS info for some systems....

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=102215&seqNum=4

this is the main page...

http://www.informit.com/imprint/index.aspx?st=61090&rl=1


hope something works..
mc

 

[Ben Myers]

"ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread, converted
> from W95 to DOS.
> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
<snip>

Download ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp02001-02500/sp2141.exe

Double-click the file, page down and type "AGREE" to accept the terms
of use, then type "A", insert a blank floppy and press "Enter". This should
create a bootable floppy that can be used for BIOS setup. Please note that
if you change the boot sequence without installing the setup program
to the hard drive, you may have to reset the CMOS manually from inside
the computer to change back to a floppy boot.

Ben

 

[ms]

"Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in
news:OysKe#mQIHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl:

> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
>> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread,
> converted
>> from W95 to DOS.
>> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
> <snip>
>
> Download ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp02001-02500/sp2141.exe
>
> Double-click the file, page down and type "AGREE" to accept the terms
> of use, then type "A", insert a blank floppy and press "Enter". This
> should create a bootable floppy that can be used for BIOS setup.
> Please note that if you change the boot sequence without installing
> the setup program to the hard drive, you may have to reset the CMOS
> manually from inside the computer to change back to a floppy boot.
>
> Ben
>

Thanks, Ben, I will try it. BTW, I posted to you in my other thread.

ms

 

[ms]

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in
news:uG1mqUbQIHA.4656@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl:

> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
>
> You've been around here plenty enough to know that another way is to
> pull the CMOS
> battery as another way.
>

Brian, when the battery is reinserted, boot up, does that mean a complete
setting of all the BIOS settings? A complete redo?

ms

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Yes.

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

"ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:5stlnbF1b0m3tU2@mid.individual.net...
> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in
> news:uG1mqUbQIHA.4656@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl:
>
>> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
>>
>> You've been around here plenty enough to know that another way is to
>> pull the CMOS
>> battery as another way.
>>
>
> Brian, when the battery is reinserted, boot up, does that mean a complete
> setting of all the BIOS settings? A complete redo?
>
> ms

 

[ms]

"Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in
news:OysKe#mQIHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl:

> "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
>> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread,
> converted
>> from W95 to DOS.
>> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
> <snip>
>
> Download ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp02001-02500/sp2141.exe
>
> Double-click the file, page down and type "AGREE" to accept the terms
> of use, then type "A", insert a blank floppy and press "Enter". This
> should create a bootable floppy that can be used for BIOS setup.
> Please note that if you change the boot sequence without installing
> the setup program to the hard drive, you may have to reset the CMOS
> manually from inside the computer to change back to a floppy boot.
>
> Ben

Turns out I need to dig into memory management, because on install, the
file needs more than the memory left by my DOS shell program, so I have
to learn upper memory, etc. Will post back when I can install that file,
it may be a big help. If DOS was installed, memmaker would work, that
would make it easy, maybe for later.

Thanks again,

ms

 

[Ben Myers]

> > "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
> > news:5sqce6F1acelsU3@mid.individual.net...
> >> This is an old Compaq Presario 8702 P166, in a recent thread,
> > converted from W95 to DOS.
> >> I want to get into BIOS setup. Compaq data says:
> > <snip>
> > Download ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp02001-02500/sp2141.exe
> > Double-click the file, page down and type "AGREE" to accept the terms
> > of use, then type "A", insert a blank floppy and press "Enter". This
> > should create a bootable floppy that can be used for BIOS setup.
> > Please note that if you change the boot sequence without installing
> > the setup program to the hard drive, you may have to reset the CMOS
> > manually from inside the computer to change back to a floppy boot.
> > Ben
>
> Turns out I need to dig into memory management, because on install, the
> file needs more than the memory left by my DOS shell program, so I have
> to learn upper memory, etc. Will post back when I can install that file,
> it may be a big help. If DOS was installed, memmaker would work, that
> would make it easy, maybe for later.

The idea is to download and run the file on a working computer. The
program will then create a bootable floppy to be used to start the Compaq.
If you are already doing this, please repost with more information about
the problem you are having, including why you think you need a different
memory configuration.

Ben

 

[ms]

"Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in
news:#JPd7EtQIHA.5980@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl:

>> > "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
> This
>> > should create a bootable floppy that can be used for BIOS setup.
>> > Please note that if you change the boot sequence without installing
>> > the setup program to the hard drive, you may have to reset the CMOS
>> > manually from inside the computer to change back to a floppy boot.
>> > Ben
>>
>> Turns out I need to dig into memory management, because on install,
> the
>> file needs more than the memory left by my DOS shell program, so I
> have
>> to learn upper memory, etc. Will post back when I can install that
> file,
>> it may be a big help. If DOS was installed, memmaker would work, that
>> would make it easy, maybe for later.
>
> The idea is to download and run the file on a working computer. The
> program will then create a bootable floppy to be used to start the
> Compaq. If you are already doing this, please repost with more
> information about the problem you are having, including why you think
> you need a different memory configuration.
>
> Ben

I find that installs sometimes produce unexpected results. This was a DOS
utility so I expected to need to install on my DOS computer. As mentioned,
it produced a insufficient memory screen and stopped install, when I
operated in my DOS shell, which also takes memory.
As you say, it can be installed also on a windows computer, so will do
that.

Separately, I posted to a DOS ng. Earlier in another thread here, I said
the error screen while installing DOS was probably due to not being able to
boot from the DOS install disk. Got advice there how to convert the #1 DOS
install disk to a bootable disk, that should answer my OP.

Still, it is useful to get into BIOS, so I will run that file you mentioned
and post how it turned out.

Thanks again for finding that file.

ms

 

[ms]

"Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in
news:#JPd7EtQIHA.5980@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl:

>> > "ms" <ms@invalid.com> wrote in message
>
> The idea is to download and run the file on a working computer. The
> program will then create a bootable floppy to be used to start the
> Compaq. If you are already doing this, please repost with more
> information about the problem you are having, including why you think
> you need a different memory configuration.
>
Ben, that utility works as advertised. It does not show a usual DOS screen
type display, this is a series of icons for some setup functions. I had
originally planned to change the boot sequence, but see nothing in the
icons that offers that.

It's ok, no longer need that. I tried a bunch of DOS games on an old 486,
and decided to move back to windows games on another computer. Thanks for
the help

ms