Compaq says NO to win 98

[Mickiete]

Compaq Armada 1700
4gb HD

I have run scandisk with MS-dos 6.2 and no errors have been found on the HD.


I have formated the harddrive but am unable to install Win98, the boot disk
loads, it gets to "copying files needed for windows setup".
"Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
restart your system".

But on doing this I get the following:
"Non-system disk or disk error, Replace and press any key when ready".

Can anyone point me in the right direction to get my Win98 back on.



Thanks
Mick
West Midlands,
UK


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[Greg]

Put your start up floppy
in and turn your pc on,
select start with cd-rom
support, now at the A prompt
look just above it for your
cd-rom letter if it was D
it will be E. What you need
after that will look like this.

A:\e: Hit enter
E:\setup: Hit enter

Now you should be able to just
follow the dirrections, sit back
and let Windows do the work.
Make sure you have your Product
Key Code.
Hope this helps.
Original Message-----
>Compaq Armada 1700
>4gb HD
>
>I have run scandisk with MS-dos 6.2 and no errors have
been found on the HD.
>
>
>I have formated the harddrive but am unable to install
Win98, the boot disk
>loads, it gets to "copying files needed for windows
setup".
>"Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and
press any key to
>restart your system".
>
>But on doing this I get the following:
>"Non-system disk or disk error, Replace and press any key
when ready".
>
>Can anyone point me in the right direction to get my
Win98 back on.
>
>
>
>Thanks
>Mick
>West Midlands,
>UK
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------
------------------
>--------------------------------------------
>ALL incoming and outgoing mail sent to, or from me on
this computer is
>scanned by Norton Antivirus.
>
>For more information, click the link below:
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>
>
>.
>

[Jeff Richards]

I can't recall whether this machine has BIOS boot sector (anti-virus)
protection or not. If it does, accerss BIOS setup and turn the protection
OFF. When setup is complete, go back into BIOS setup and turn it back on.

Do FDISK, being sure to answer Y to the question about large hard disk
support. Delete all the existng partitions. Re-boot, run FDISK again and
create new partitions as required. Make sure the first (or only) partition
is a Primary DOS partition and it is set active (If you follow the suggested
defaults that's exactly what you'll get).

Then reboot to floppy and format the C drive. After the format, re-boot to
DOS from the floppy, and do
SYS C:

Re-boot again, and do your setup.

Jeff Richards
MS MVP (DTS)
--
"Mickiete" > wrote in message
t...
> Compaq Armada 1700
> 4gb HD
>
> I have run scandisk with MS-dos 6.2 and no errors have been found on the
> HD.
>
>
> I have formated the harddrive but am unable to install Win98, the boot
> disk
> loads, it gets to "copying files needed for windows setup".
> "Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
> restart your system".
>
> But on doing this I get the following:
> "Non-system disk or disk error, Replace and press any key when ready".
>
> Can anyone point me in the right direction to get my Win98 back on.

[Spajky]

On Sun, 6 Jun 2004 18:45:30 +0100, "Mickiete" >
wrote:

>I have formated the harddrive but am unable to install Win98, the boot disk
>loads, it gets to "copying files needed for windows setup".
>"Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
>restart your system".
>
>But on doing this I get the following:
>"Non-system disk or disk error, Replace and press any key when ready".

with boot disk:

command:

sys C:

Enter
--
Regards, SPAJKY ®
& visit my site @ http://www.spajky.vze.com
"Tualatin OC-ed / BX-Slot1 / inaudible setup!"
E-mail AntiSpam: remove ##

[Mickiete]

How do I get into the Bios, I have tried DEL, ESC and SPACEBAR ?

--



Thanks
Mick
West Midlands,
UK


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--------------------------------------------
ALL incoming and outgoing mail sent to, or from me on this computer is
scanned by Norton Antivirus.

For more information, click the link below:
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"Jeff Richards" > wrote in message
...
> I can't recall whether this machine has BIOS boot sector (anti-virus)
> protection or not. If it does, accerss BIOS setup and turn the protection
> OFF. When setup is complete, go back into BIOS setup and turn it back on.
>
> Do FDISK, being sure to answer Y to the question about large hard disk
> support. Delete all the existng partitions. Re-boot, run FDISK again and
> create new partitions as required. Make sure the first (or only)
partition
> is a Primary DOS partition and it is set active (If you follow the
suggested
> defaults that's exactly what you'll get).
>
> Then reboot to floppy and format the C drive. After the format, re-boot to
> DOS from the floppy, and do
> SYS C:
>
> Re-boot again, and do your setup.
>
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (DTS)
> --
> "Mickiete" > wrote in message
> t...
> > Compaq Armada 1700
> > 4gb HD
> >
> > I have run scandisk with MS-dos 6.2 and no errors have been found on the
> > HD.
> >
> >
> > I have formated the harddrive but am unable to install Win98, the boot
> > disk
> > loads, it gets to "copying files needed for windows setup".
> > "Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
> > restart your system".
> >
> > But on doing this I get the following:
> > "Non-system disk or disk error, Replace and press any key when ready".
> >
> > Can anyone point me in the right direction to get my Win98 back on.
>
>

[MasterBlaster]

"Mickiete" wrote

> How do I get into the Bios, I have tried DEL, ESC and SPACEBAR ?

Here's the long version:

ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/supportinformation/techpubs/technical_reference_guides/005a1098_ch3.pdf

Computer Setup

The disk-based Computer Setup utility displays the system's current configuration and
allows the user to set the system parameters. The configuration parameters are stored in
nonvolatile configuration memory commonly referred to as CMOS. A backup copy is
also saved in the boot block Flash EPROM. The user activates Computer Setup by
pressing F10 at boot time.

[cquirke (MVP Win9x)]

On Tue, 08 Jun 2004 09:06:57 GMT, "MasterBlaster"
>"Mickiete" wrote

>> How do I get into the Bios, I have tried DEL, ESC and SPACEBAR ?

F10, when the cursor is block-shaped at the right of screen.

If the cursor is never block-shaped at the right of screen, then
there's no CMOS setup code on the HD and you can't get in.

>Here's the long version:
>
>ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/supportinformation/techpubs/technical_reference_guides/005a1098_ch3.pdf

>The disk-based Computer Setup utility displays the system's current configuration and
>allows the user to set the system parameters. The configuration parameters are stored in
>nonvolatile configuration memory commonly referred to as CMOS. A backup copy is
>also saved in the boot block Flash EPROM. The user activates Computer Setup by
>pressing F10 at boot time.

And that means malware can get airborne before CMOS Setup. So an MBR
BSV that sets A: to None can make it impossible to formally scan such
a system; you'd have to pull the HD and scan it from somewhere else -
also, a malware (or other maintenance or system preparation software)
can nuke the Compaq CMOS setup app off HD.

Talk about an uber-crap design... friends don't let friends by Compaq.



>--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -
Tech Support: The guys who follow the
'Parade of New Products' with a shovel.
>--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -

[Mickiete]

So in plain English (for me to understand) I will NOT be able to get it
reinstalled myself ?

--



Thanks
Mick
West Midlands,
UK


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"cquirke (MVP Win9x)" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 08 Jun 2004 09:06:57 GMT, "MasterBlaster"
> >"Mickiete" wrote
>
> >> How do I get into the Bios, I have tried DEL, ESC and SPACEBAR ?
>
> F10, when the cursor is block-shaped at the right of screen.
>
> If the cursor is never block-shaped at the right of screen, then
> there's no CMOS setup code on the HD and you can't get in.
>
> >Here's the long version:
> >
>
>ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/supportinformation/techpubs/technical_reference_gu
ides/005a1098_ch3.pdf
>
> >The disk-based Computer Setup utility displays the system's current
configuration and
> >allows the user to set the system parameters. The configuration
parameters are stored in
> >nonvolatile configuration memory commonly referred to as CMOS. A backup
copy is
> >also saved in the boot block Flash EPROM. The user activates Computer
Setup by
> >pressing F10 at boot time.
>
> And that means malware can get airborne before CMOS Setup. So an MBR
> BSV that sets A: to None can make it impossible to formally scan such
> a system; you'd have to pull the HD and scan it from somewhere else -
> also, a malware (or other maintenance or system preparation software)
> can nuke the Compaq CMOS setup app off HD.
>
> Talk about an uber-crap design... friends don't let friends by Compaq.
>
>
>
> >--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -
> Tech Support: The guys who follow the
> 'Parade of New Products' with a shovel.
> >--------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - -

[William B. Lurie]

Let me chime in, regarding Compaq:
I know this is ancient history......but the first PC
I bought, in 1985, was a Compaq Portable. It was well
designed electrically, and well built mechanically,
and I used it through 286 and 386 and 486 and it was
a fine machine, better than any that I saw amongst my
colleagues, for a good number of years. Some of what
the OEMs perpetrate on us users, however, is criminal.

Bill Lurie

Mickiete wrote:
> So in plain English (for me to understand) I will NOT be able to get it
> reinstalled myself ?
>


--
William B. Lurie

[Jeff Richards]

You should consult your laptop manual for details, but for the Armada 1700
the procedure is to tap away at F10 immediately after power on. The machine
will then advise that it is re-booting, and you will get a fully interactive
graphical system setup procedure, with extensive help facilities. However,
it appears that this model does not support BIOS boot sector protection, so
there is no setting to adjust, and this cannot be the cause of your problem.

Just follow the other steps that I outlined in order to install your
operating system.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (DTS)
"Mickiete" > wrote in message
...
> How do I get into the Bios, I have tried DEL, ESC and SPACEBAR ?

[Jeff Richards]

I have installed WIndows 98se on a Compaq Armada 1700 several times with no
difficulties whatsoever.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (DTS)
"Mickiete" > wrote in message
...
> So in plain English (for me to understand) I will NOT be able to get it
> reinstalled myself ?

[Mickiete]

I have now got the F10 working after reinstalling with the Diagnostic
floppy's, but I still only get as far as copying files to install windows,
it then is either stopping there, or just going to the dos prompt.

--



Thanks
Mick
West Midlands,
UK


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scanned by Norton Antivirus.

For more information, click the link below:
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"Jeff Richards" > wrote in message
...
> You should consult your laptop manual for details, but for the Armada 1700
> the procedure is to tap away at F10 immediately after power on. The
machine
> will then advise that it is re-booting, and you will get a fully
interactive
> graphical system setup procedure, with extensive help facilities.
However,
> it appears that this model does not support BIOS boot sector protection,
so
> there is no setting to adjust, and this cannot be the cause of your
problem.
>
> Just follow the other steps that I outlined in order to install your
> operating system.
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (DTS)
> "Mickiete" > wrote in message
> ...
> > How do I get into the Bios, I have tried DEL, ESC and SPACEBAR ?
>
>

[Jeff Richards]

Run the diagnostic routine, especially the disk and memory diagnostics.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (DTS)
"Mickiete" > wrote in message
...
>I have now got the F10 working after reinstalling with the Diagnostic
> floppy's, but I still only get as far as copying files to install windows,
> it then is either stopping there, or just going to the dos prompt.
>
> --
>
>
>
> Thanks
> Mick
> West Midlands,
> UK
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------------------------------------------
> ALL incoming and outgoing mail sent to, or from me on this computer is
> scanned by Norton Antivirus.
>
> For more information, click the link below:
> www.symantec.com/region/reg_eu/product/nav_index.html
> "Jeff Richards" > wrote in message
> ...
>> You should consult your laptop manual for details, but for the Armada
>> 1700
>> the procedure is to tap away at F10 immediately after power on. The
> machine
>> will then advise that it is re-booting, and you will get a fully
> interactive
>> graphical system setup procedure, with extensive help facilities.
> However,
>> it appears that this model does not support BIOS boot sector protection,
> so
>> there is no setting to adjust, and this cannot be the cause of your
> problem.
>>
>> Just follow the other steps that I outlined in order to install your
>> operating system.
>> --
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (DTS)
>> "Mickiete" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > How do I get into the Bios, I have tried DEL, ESC and SPACEBAR ?
>>
>>
>
>

[cquirke (MVP Win9x)]

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004 16:36:14 +0100, "Mickiete" >

>So in plain English (for me to understand) I will NOT be able to get it
>reinstalled myself ?

That's not really what I was saying, no. I was ranting about a
particular situation; some boot sector viruses (BSVs) that set A: to
None so that you can't boot off a diskette to clean them.

Your case goes about re-installing Windows - and I've lost the first
part of the thread, and with it, much of the context I'd need to help
you. If you can figure my email address (it's munged to ward off evil
spirits) then I will post back in this thread with more targeted help!

Not all Compaqs have HD-based CMOS setup. Those that do, you can
download the required code from Compaq's web site - it used to be a
really well-designed site and fairly painless process, but I haven't
needed to be back since the merger with HP, so YMMV.

If you can run the CMOS setup stuff you downloaded from diskette
(assuming diskette bootability works) then that's great, but if you
have to install it to the HD, that could be Very Difficult if the HD
was repartitioned to leave no space for Compaq's "special" stuff. Go
wrong here, and you could lose everything on the HD, so take care!



>-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
Trsut me, I won't make a mistake!
>-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -

[cquirke (MVP Win9x)]

On Tue, 08 Jun 2004 17:49:30 -0400, "William B. Lurie"

>Let me chime in, regarding Compaq:
>I know this is ancient history......but the first PC
>I bought, in 1985, was a Compaq Portable. It was well
>designed electrically, and well built mechanically,

That's the thing with Compaq - when they started, they were seriously
best-of-breed. They were the first to bring out a 386-based PC (yes,
they beat IBM to the punch) and the 386 was the watershed design on
which everything since has been built.

But they've leveraged this reputation to push some of the most
willfully proprietary and cut-spec trash the industry has ever seen.



>-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
Tip Of The Day:
To disable the 'Tip of the Day' feature...
>-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -

[Mickiete]

Hi all,
WELL !
I have sorted it out (I think), seems if I remove the mem chip, Win98 will
install ok. I replaced the chip with a new one and Win98 still installs.
Looks like all this trouble was due to a worn out mem chip.

thanks for the info I received.

--



Thanks
Mick
West Midlands,
UK


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scanned by Norton Antivirus.

For more information, click the link below:
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"cquirke (MVP Win9x)" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 8 Jun 2004 16:36:14 +0100, "Mickiete" >
>
> >So in plain English (for me to understand) I will NOT be able to get it
> >reinstalled myself ?
>
> That's not really what I was saying, no. I was ranting about a
> particular situation; some boot sector viruses (BSVs) that set A: to
> None so that you can't boot off a diskette to clean them.
>
> Your case goes about re-installing Windows - and I've lost the first
> part of the thread, and with it, much of the context I'd need to help
> you. If you can figure my email address (it's munged to ward off evil
> spirits) then I will post back in this thread with more targeted help!
>
> Not all Compaqs have HD-based CMOS setup. Those that do, you can
> download the required code from Compaq's web site - it used to be a
> really well-designed site and fairly painless process, but I haven't
> needed to be back since the merger with HP, so YMMV.
>
> If you can run the CMOS setup stuff you downloaded from diskette
> (assuming diskette bootability works) then that's great, but if you
> have to install it to the HD, that could be Very Difficult if the HD
> was repartitioned to leave no space for Compaq's "special" stuff. Go
> wrong here, and you could lose everything on the HD, so take care!
>
>
>
> >-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
> Trsut me, I won't make a mistake!
> >-------------------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -