Compaq Contura 410C Laptop

Laptop when started goes through POST and then displays Starting Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows 95 screen flashes across and then I'm left with Starting Windows 95 Microsoft (R) Windows 95 (C) Copyright Microsoft Corp 1981-1996. C:\>_ Any Ideas? This is a well used old laptop purchased for the grandchildren to play with. I know nothing about laptops and would welcome advice. How do I get it to start Windows 95 and operate properly?

 

I'm sorry to say i can't help you with a compaq and to never get a compaq or toshiba beacuse they both have a 85% chance of breaking down when getting them

I can try to help you but i can't say this is going to work

When at C:\

Type

"Exit" without punctionation

and that should work

this happens when you start 'er up every time??

well sorry to hear that

i have family that had a compaq and they brought it to the repair shop about 20 times before giving up and getting a new one

Hope this helps,

Pcessna (Paul)

 

Compaq start Windows 95

Hi Paul your suggestion typing Exit didn't do anything. Your families experience maybe is what I've got. I have no owners handbook with this laptop, so I have no guidelines to tell me how to get into Safe Mode or system BIOS. BIG Problem! Thanks for trying. Neil.

 

Well to put it in safty mode as soon as it starts up when the compaq logo comes on at that ver ysecond press F12 and then from there you should hopefully be able to go into safty mode

or it might be F2

try that for safty mode,

Paul

 

Compaq start Windows 95

Hi Paul, this laptop didn't respond to F12 or F2. Funnily, the function keys that do respond are F5, F7, F8 and F9. Pressing Function/F5 I can turn on/off the sounds. Func/F7 indicates battery voltage (I think). Func/F8 is Brightness with adjustment through Left & Right arrows. Func/F9 is Contrast with adjustment. If only I could locate a copy of the owners handbook I could learn a lot more on how to operate it. The laptop will operate without the battery just using the mains charger unit which should give it full voltage necessary to operate.Thanks for your help so far. Neil.

 

See what happens if you enter:
WIN
at the C:\ prompt.

 

Compaq start Windows 95

Hi Mattman, WIN at C:\ prompt = Bad command or file name. I'm wondering if the BIOS is able to handle Win 95. At start of computer it counts up to 20480KB at top left of screen then two beeps then displays Starting Windows 95 and Microsoft colour Flag flashes across screen and then the C:\ prompt. Function keys as I earlier stated can be used but that's it. Thanks Neil.

 

I mean the second you turn your computer on

after you press the power button and as soon as the disply goes on you should try F2 and/or F12

the sound should not be able to be controled in dos mode neither should any of the other things you said

F2 or F12 if worked would bring you to the windows start-up screen dialog
and from there you would choose " safty mode "

Hope this one works,

Paul

 

Compaq start Windows 95

Hi Paul, Have tried holding F2/F12 at switch on and it just counts 20480 KB> OK >58 301-Keyboard error>163-Time & Date Not Set> (bottom left screen in rectangle box) F1 Boot. If I hit F1 I end up with previous described display at C:\ prompt. This goes round in circles.Neil.

 

Sorry,

Your only hope is buying a Windows 98SE

if it is not a virus in your laptop that is what your going to have to do

go to win98se


I hope someone gives you the right advice so you can stay w/ win95 and be able to go on ,

Pcessna (Paul)