non sytem disk error & code PQCFG-001

While I thought this was running real good, all of a sudden the kids couldn't use any of their CD learning disks. I tried to reboot and got an error invalid system disk, like there was a disk in the A drive, but there wasn't. I run scan disk, degrag and still nothing. I couldn't even get it to boot in safe mode after awhile, so I did a restore. It worked ok for a couple of days. Now it is doing the same thing. When I reboot it comes up with Non sytem disk or disk error. Replac and strike any key when ready. That won't go away. I tried to restore again and this time it comes up with "cannot restore Error code PQCFG-001 Press any key to continue ". When I press any key it comes up with "HARD DISK TOO SMALL FOR RESTORE ". When I hit enter it goes to C prompt. What's going on? This computer is only used for games for my kids. Please HELP!!!

 

Hi Vicki
What kind of Compaq is this machine?
May be helpful?
Compaq support More to read.

Daizy

 

It is a Compaq Presarrio 5220

 

Then I suppose we're back to this. Does it help at all?

Daizy

 

No, I downloaded the reoair but the computer won't boot from that; it says remove disk or any other media press any key to continue???

 

Perhaps unplug any extra peripherals? For example, printers, scanners, etc.

What happens now when you try to boot from CD?

Daizy

 

same thing. Do you know how to run scan disk or scan reg from c prompt?

 

Do you mean: scanreg /restore ?

 

Similar thread

 

I thought there was a way of running scan disk from c prompt, but maybe that will work too. This is frustrating. My kids want to use the computer, and I don't know what could be wrong with it. I don't understand how the disk could be too small for restore. I will look more on the Compaq site you recommended.

 

non system disk error

I have tried about everything that suggested too. How do you run fdisk? anything I type in at the c:\> comes back bad command or file name. I have tried to reboot in safe mode, but it won't come up. I was able to complete restore again, but it still comes up non system disk error Any other suggestions?

 

Perhaps this?

http://communities.compaq.com/servl...STION_0=pqcfg-001&USEARCHCONTEXT_QUESTION_S=0

or one of these here will have something useful:
http://communities.compaq.com/servl...chAllWithKeyword&HKEYWORD=pqcfg-001&x=34&y=11

============
Didn't prescreen for ya' so keep in mind that some of the procedures are dependant upon your particular version or type of quickrestore CD's or disks. I just thought that some of the information may help to make the restore procedure clearer. Be sure to have all the components needed, wither it be a win98 bootdisk or a compaq restore bootdisk [if required].

In any case the BBS that is "Compaq" specific, complete with techs as well as users may be handy to post on. Not that I think they're any better than help-net or Daizy's exceptional information and help but often "first hand guidance" from someone who has already expereinced the exact problem you are having, often with the same system setup can be less frustrating.

 

Great links Ann! Thanks so much for hopping in to help.

Daizy

 

Howdy Daizy,
Glad to help in any small way I can.

===========
To Vicki,
While searching back through previous posts I couldn't help but notice that you often forget to come back to post with final outcome feedback or update. This is not a criticism but a kind request:

Please let us know how this turns out either bad or good. I am curious and interested. I always like to read the final chapter in any mystery.

Besides a stored Archived Post with the shared fix will save another with same or similar problem.

 

oops! sorry. I don't mean to not post the outcome. I haven't had time to really do much with it yet. So far it still isn't working. I am going to try some of what was posted above this week, and will be sure to post outcome. Thanks so much for all of your help. It is GREATLY appreciated.

 

It came to me in a daydream, I think, but I remembered I had a support contract where I bought the computer (Best Buy), so I called them. I was told to call Compaq and get the updated Restore disks. I am supposed to have two, but only have one. He said the error PCQG001 is due to the drive not reading the information correctly. Once I get the other disks, then I am supposed to call them back and they will tell me certain files to delete....??? I'll post my reply when I'm all done.

 

Hi

Vicki, do you have a Windows startup disk (floppy)? it would give you a quick and totally independent route to Scandisk. Boot from the floppy...

I've just had to pull my Compaq back from oblivion (old Prolinea - not same as yours but also tries to depend upon a Compaq partition) - in the end I had to do it without the Compaq partition 'coz that was interfering with the EZ-Bios I need for the machine to access the large HDD

so I had to do it without recourse to the Compaq tools in the end - it was hell, but got it done in the end, and without losing any user files. Now I put up without the Compaq partition (have the tools, diags and setup on floppies)

But I have a W98 CD - reading one of the off-thread links it looks as if you may not? and that a subset of the W98 "core" is on your (Compaq) rescue disk? (gulps hard twice and splutters into coffee)

sorry if this is already covered / off-topic for your PC I don't know the presarios that well, it looks as if they may be even trickier/more dependent on the Compaq partition than this prolinea is...

but getting rid of their pesky partition ended up being one of the best things I ever did.

if you have a W98 startup floppy disk you have a lot of tools, fdisk is there (but might leave you stitched if you don't have a windows CD). It will load the tools to a ramdrive so will work OK even if there's serious hassle with your HDD. There's a scandisk there too... it's a pretty good mending kit and should allow you to circumvent the Compaq stuff which at the very least is geblinking confusing, what with all the different versions and having to get the right one. And then you depend upon them for evermore...

when you mention about fdisk, I assume that you are thinking of going for the clean sweep approach? If not, then i'm misfiring and apologise in advance...

you can run fdisk from the startup floppy A:> prompt (again, booting from the floppy)...
fdisk can be used to repartition your HDD. But this will erase everything, Compaq stuff and all.

what you would do with FDISK would be to:
*get rid of any partitions there
*create a partition
*make the partition active - it has to be active to make the HDD bootable

then you would format the HDD...

all the above steps can be done from the W98 startup floppy...

...the HDD is now ready to take W98 afresh from a CDROM. Warning - if it's a W98 "upgrade" CD you will also need some other windows product - you cannot make a new install from an upgrade CD. I used my W95 CD to "qualify" as that's a full version, not an upgrade. I think even old W3.11 disks will probably do - anything that isn't called "upgrade only "

**edit** W98 startup floppy has drivers for most CDROM drives, it might be wise to check that you can use yours with it before you start!

I've found my Prolinea to work absolutely fine without any Compaq stuff on it at all. It works better - doesn't crash anywhere near as often. I cannot speak for a Presario as I don't have one. But if all you need the Compaq stuff for is diagnostics and setup, and like me could run these tools from floppies or CD... it is just so much easier like that...

Good Luck anyway, Hugh.

 

I love this forum! I appreciate all the tips I received. The "IT" man where I work mentioned something to me about an extended warranty, and a light bult went off. I had, indeed, renewed the extended warrently plan for that computer. Boy am I glad I did! They came out and replaced the hard drive - 3 times in one month. Finally, I took it to where I bought it (Best Buy) and they have a "no lemon law ". This is one time I am so grateful I bought "one of those plans ". I almost didn't renew it. Yesterday i just picked up the replacement computer. They had to give me one of comparable value, and everyone know how much computers have come down in price. I received an HP Pavioion 515n with 2.3 GHz processor, 256 MB SDRAM, 80GB hard drive, CD writer and DVD-ROM drive, and stuff I don't even know what it means. That doesn't mean I won't be checking back now & then. I am giving the computer I bought last year to my kids.