DeskPro 2000 problems

My son was recently given a Compaq DeskPro 2000 PC which we cannot get to boot up. The screen displays INVALID DATE. I have been to the Compaq website and it seems that the BIOS settings are stored on the hard drive (is that correct?) and it also suggests that you can access the system settings by pressing the F10 key when it (F10) is displayed on the bottom right of the screen during bootup. Well this PC does NOT display F10 anywhere on the screen during boot up. The only display during bootup is 24384K memory top left of screen and Deskpro 2000 bottom right.
Is there anyway to get to the system settings? Do I need a special boot disk and if so where do I get it from.
Thanks
John

 

Hello John.
The bios settings are stored on the Harddrive. It is called the "Diagnostic Partition ".

If you are using a different (non original) HD, then you need to install this partition or you can access the setting by using the floppies that you need to download from the site. It is NOT a must to install this partition, you will just have to use the floppies you download and create if you need to access the bios in the future.

IF you are going to install this diagnostic partition it has to be installed on a empty harddrive. NO partitions can be on it if you want this to install. You must run Fdisk and delete ALL partitions first. Of course this will permanently destroy ALL the data on the drive. It is a VERY different way of doing things. After the Diag. Part. is installed, you would THEN run Fdisk again to create your partition for Windows to be installed.

You need to download the "Computer Setup/VP and computer diagnostics" file. Be sure it's the proper one for the machine. You may need to input the serial number to find the correct one to download.
Actually, here is the best place to start.

http://www.compaq.com/support/files/deskpro/us/index.html


Or, go to this link below and see if your model is listed, if so, download and run the file. I believe you will need 3 formatted (empty) floppies if memory serves me correctly.

http://www5.compaq.com/support/files/desktops/us/download/263.html

Dale

 

Thanks Dale for your very prompt reply to my problem.
I have now found and downloaded the file which creates 3 bootable diskettes.
My problem now seems to be 'terminal' (ie dead motherboard) as when the PC attempts to boot I get a 'diskette controller' error.
I tried a different floop drive and even a new cable connected normal and reverse.
Does this mean that the motherboard is 'dead'?
Thanks
John

 

I would try two things. One would be to try a different boot floppy, say a Windows boot disc.
The second would be to clear the CMOS settings. This option is probably the one that will help.
Below is the quote from the Compaq support forum.

"Remove the E8 jumper from pins 1 and 2 for 60 seconds; then replace the jumper. "

I seemed to have to do this on a semi-regular basis back when I was using one on these machines.

Also, was the machine known to be in working condition when it was given to your son??

Downloading the manual for this machine will probably help a bit. Also, maybe try posting your questions in the Compaq support forum as well. Good luck.

Dale

 

Thanks Dale,
The PC was sort of working when given to my son. It would boot up Windows 95 but before completing the load process gave an error something like 'not enough memory, try removing a driver'. I assumed that someone had 'turned off' virtual memory and as the actual memory was only 24Mb it did not have a swap file. I then tried to reinstall Windows unsuccessfullly (can't remember the exact problem preventing this). My son thought that the PC 'thought' it had a 5.25" floppy drive even though there was a 3.5" floppy drive so I decided to clear 'cmos' by removing that jumper. That was the start of my problems. I will persevere a little longer and then maybe trash the machine after removing anything worth keeping.
Thanks for your help