Dissableing the HP EEPROM Boot Screen

I had posted a similar problem with this same notebook pc last year and part of that problem was solved enough for me to proceed , but this is what I have going now .

I have a compaq presario 2500 LA running windows XP . After trying several different operating systems (ie: Ubuntu and windows 7 ) i have reinstalled windows XP SP2 . Now it seems that i have a minor but aggravating problem

When powering up the system displayes a black screen that says : Press Esc to change boot order, F2 for system setup , or F12 to boot from Lan . once completed with the system check and Ram count , it says Warning: EEPROM reinabled . And then I HAVE to press F1 to continue . Altho the system then boots normaly and runs perfect , I do miss and want the simple old boot screen and straight into windows basicaly unattended.

I am fairly computer literate , yet somewhat oldschool so any help or suggestions would be cool but great detail is not completely necessary unless i have actualy managed to ***** something up like channel 4 . Once again , this is just an annoyment to me but I would really like to make this bad dream go away.

I have been through the Compaq help files but any search that has to do with EEPROM pulls up info about flashpaqs and bios updates ( which I have the latest bios update for this computer .

 

Hi Dussman, I would suggest you Download and install SP3 as support for SP2 has ended.
Have you tried F8 when starting your comp and try Last Known Good Configuration and see if it runs OK? Neil.

 

HAve tried SP 3 and it Screws this old computer up for some reason . Meaning it runs really slow .

Also There is no last good configuration to run When I tried Ubunto , then went to Windows 7 , each time was a complete new install. Altho I would be will to try SP3 again if I had some ideas as to y it would have slowed this system down , and how exactly it would help get ride of this EEPROM bootscreen

 

Hi, it would help if you confirmed whether you made clean installs with the OS's.

I have a funny feeling there is a specific route to follow if you uninstall W7 and go back to XP.

What are the full specs of your comp?
Was it running XP OK before you made the changes?
When you installed XP - was SP2 on the OS or have you had to install it after?
Did you get all MS Updates after the install?
Were you offered SP3 with the Updates?

Let's know the answers. Cheers Neil.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971762

 

@Neil, If you don't mind me interjecting this is not an OS issue but a BIOS one.

@Dussman, I'm not familiar with your particular system but what boot order is set in the BIOS (Use F2 not Esc to check).

Additionally, can you confirm the error message said reenabled and not reinitialized?

 

Thanks Wildfire, I just re-read the Thread and it does sound like the HP logo splash which is annoying on startup. I'll leave this in your capable hands. I did wonder whether there was some bits from XP-Ubuntu-W7-XP which may cause problems. Neil.

 

System Specs and verifications

Ok guys This is the abbridged version since my page refresh errased everything I just typed but her goes :

I have a brand new Hard drive and a brand new set of install disks from compaq( set of 4 disks )
The Warning message (WildFire ) does say :Warning: EEPROM has been Reinitialized rather than what I stated above . I have done clean installs on OS "s

The boot order reads as follows:
Removable devices
Floppy Drive
CD Drive
Hard Drive
Lan

I did not start to get this screen untill I used the old restore disks that came with this computer and the hard drive could not be found for the last time .
I then recieved a message that read something like ( time is a bad thing when the mind is failing ) No system disk pressent ------loading ( SOMETHING) then booting from Lan . After that a message flashed that said : Lan not present or network not present , then it said press F10 to install or F2 to enter setup or Esc to reboot computer and would stay there untill I rebooted. After that day , the pain in the @$$ screen I've been getting has been there .

ubuntu only lasted for a few days because I didnt like it . Reformatted the HD and bought Win7 . That worked but got the same screen to push F1 to continue and the EEPROM warning . and it had problems with getting drivers for this older system so thats when I ordered new install disks from compaq.

I have done all the updates from compaq applicable to this system and installed SP2 . I have note done very many MS updates because they tend to give me brain hemorages by creating more problems than I have now .

So having said all of that , I know this old laptop isn't gonna beat me but I sure could use some imput , and thanks for all up to now that has been given

i have only pulled the specs from the System Summery so if you need more I will provide them
System specs are below .
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name FUBAR
System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model Pavilion ze5300 (þþþþþþþ)
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2392 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies Ltd. KF_KH.F.22, 6/3/2004
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\windows
System Directory C:\windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158) "
User Name FUBAR\RowdeyRebel
Time Zone Central Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 377.03 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.17 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

In which case I'd strongly suspect your CMOS Battery Dussman. If it were a desktop system I'd happily point you in the right direction to change this but not with a laptop, sorry.

Perhaps someone else can assist.

EDIT: However I have located the service manual for your laptop here, look at "Removing Other Components/Battery, CMOS ".

I won't say it's an easy task, it's up to you to decide if you're up to it or whether to take it into a service station.

 

Really

I guess reading between the lines can be detramental if it would only be that simple . I think I can handle that I will try it , but I will also explore other options that arise . But hell , I had simple solutions like that before hit me right in the face by thinking to hard . thanks man

 

No problem, let us know the outcome.

 

Hi Dussman, just looking in and as Wildfire has said about replacing CMOS battery, it's on the motherboard and you will have to completely dismantle the laptop to accomplish this task.

I have a Compaq Presario 1700 which was given to me in a no go state. I downloaded the Manual and followed it exactly. Be careful to identify screws as they are different lengths as are critical for correct placement.

Take note of the EM springs mentioned in the Manual - it's very easy to cause a short in a laptop.

I've dismantled my Presario at least 7-8 times during my exercise of getting it going and having to change various parts. It now goes like a charm.
Don't rush things and just label and layout carefully. BOL. Neil.

 

Not sure if this actually related to this problem, but I have just finished fiddling around for 2 hr. with a computer that had a video card problem, including mismatched drivers installed and every-time I booted the system I would get a similar message on the boot screen notifying of a reset and pres F1 to continue and it boot OK then into XP. Now as wildfire points out, it will reset the BIOS to a original default including time and date. Once I had deleted all the old VGA drivers including in the Device Manager rebooted to load the MS drivers and then installed current new Video drivers reset the BIOS and no more F1 to boot.
AS I said this may not relate directly to your issue, but there it is a BIOS issue involved.
hawk22

 

Dussman, please listen to hawk's and Tony's advice (particularly Tony's) it's invaluable, I have in the past resolved this issue by replacing the CMOS battery but as Tony mentioned a reflash may be required due to hardware changes though to be honest I haven't encountered this yet.

Perhaps HP/Compaq should be more open about their errors/warnings?