Resolved Presario nightmare

I have a compaq presario 2500 notebook pc thats WAS being the optimal word , running xp pro ----from reinstall disks with sp1. It gave a BSOD with the error code showing that the mbr was corrupt . I started a repair with the oem repair disks ( set of 4 ) . All went fine until the second disk when it said CTRL +ALT + B to configure . That menu only asked to show setup message . time to wait to configure , and what to do on boot error ( reboot or go to next boot device ) There is the loop from hell because now I cannot read from any drive knowmatter how many times I go into the bios setup and set the drive , change the boot order or what . I will show the HD ----show the CDRom ---all mem tests pass and then says Warning : EEPROM has been reinabled . Asks for F1 to continue or F2 for setup . F1 results in preinstall mbr screen which says operating system not found . media test failure check cable ---------reboots and starts all over . I cannot even get it to take an old xp cd just to get into xp rc to do a format and repartition with just a clean install !!!!! Anybody got any clues ?

 

Hi Dussman, did you have the comp running XP Pro with SP1 OK? Did you ever think of updating SP2 - SP3?
You may have to use a Boot CD and format the drive and start afresh.

MS as you will be aware have stopped support for SP2 - so when you get set up again you will need to Download and install SP3. Neil.

 

Your hard disk may be failing. Try downloading & running the drive manufacturer's utility.

 

I have been leaning to a failling hard drive to a point , but I did run a hard drive test in the bios prior to loading the restore disks and all was good . Also I have done some research else where and alot of people have had the same problem with the same and similar models specifically with a bios program called PXE . Also the fact that it is not only my hard drive that is not being seen , but any bootable device . This pxe program insists on ( apparently ) trying to boot from the lan and absolutley refuses to see the cdrom or floppy or usb flash drive even when they are previously noted in the system check with the ram count . I have set each to be the first boot device , removed the HD , FD and floppy , and set the cdrom as the primary HD in the bios all to no avail . The bios itself unfortunatly does not allow me to remove boot devices from the boot menu so as of yet I have been unable to direct its initial search for a device to anything other that the lan , which does not exist. And the loop from hell continues until I turn off the computer . I have taken out the battery , used the reset button on the bottom of the computer , altho I assume that is only to reset the system password, an have had no luck anywhere else in finding a way or method to completely reset the system as if I were just putting a windows install cd in the cdrom and going to install windows . the computer really doesn't matter to me ---its just the fact that its not letting me do something and I don't wanna just give up . Also that so many other people have had the exact same problem with no apparent solution yet .

 

A BIOS problem ? Could be.

What does Compaq say ?

 

You should investigate that avenue further. You might have to hold the button down for a certain amount of time (usually they say 30 seconds). Also try holding the power button down for 30 seconds or more with the power(s) disconnected.

It sounds like you need to "Clear the CMOS ", your CMOS battery might be low or dead though.

Matt

 

Linux

Well , compaq talks in circles and I tried Ubuntu with a live cd and it worked and loaded . I also ran another disk test . Found a few bad sectors but nothing major . Even tho I was able to confirm that the hard drive is operable , I still cannot get this thing to see anything or any drive or device that is in any way windows related . I am by no means a guru or wiz at this stuff and I am deffinatley a windows baby so this thing is testing my abillities and patience .
Also , since this is a notebook , instead of a desktop , I have , (other than removing the HD and the RAM ) been reluctant to tear into this thing to try and find the cmos battery and have not found or read any instruction on how to dissasemble it so that It will work once put back together . I am at a total lose at this point as to why a linux CD will bring it to life and a OEM xp CD or upgrade cd will just get passed over like trash being set to the curb.

 

Do you have the system manual? Do you need to hold down a special key to boot to the restore disks? Can you call up a boot list (maybe F12)?

I would consider getting the hard disk manufacturer's setup disk. With it, you should be able remake and format the partitions. They might also offer utilities for low-level (zero) format, that will remove the boot sector so that you can make a new MBR.

Have you checked whether the boot disk starts up in another computer?

HP/Compaq have forums. You could search or ask there.

I wouldn't open the laptop up unless you couldn't find any other avenues. Compaq have an extensive knowledgebase, they might tell you there about how to Clear the CMOS.

Matt

 

If Linux works ok on it, we can rule out hardware issue but damaged/compromised MBR could be one of the cause.

I would go with mattman's suggestion to zero out the drive & then load Windows. Might work.

 

Hi Dussman, here's a link to the service manual:http://www.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00246219.pdf
You'll probably find all the info you require to change the CMOS battery and strip down the notebook completely. Cheers Neil.