Compaq Presario Recovery CD not running...

[rpk2006]

Hi,

I have a Compaq Presario PC. It came bundled with a "Quick Restore"
CD to recover pre-installed Windows 98. Recently due to persistent
crashes and other problems, I formated the hard disk. But whenever
I try to restore the hard disk to its factory state using the
"Quick Restore" recovery CD, the Recovery CD hangs in between.

I even replace the old hard disk and attempted on a fresh new hard disk,
but the problem persists.

How can I bring back my PC to its factory state using this
Recovery CD?

 

[micker377]

I'd contact Compac and see if you get a new CD. It's also possible that the Recovery info is "BIOS Locked". If the BIOS has been upgraded through the years, It may not accept the CD. Another possibility: I recently had a system to restore, and found that the restore CD accessed a "hidden partition" on the hard drive (which of course wasn't there any longer)!

 

[sirslacker]

I had the same problem with a 5 year old Presario 1277. If you format the disk the computer is worthless because it requires the hidden partition to run drivers and the stupid ads. Because of this there was a class-action lawsuit. I contacted the attorney's office and they sent out full restore recovery disks. However, the disks only work to create one partition on the computer if you have not done any formatting or install other operating system on the computer. I'm a telco tech, not PC, but I brought it to the PC guys in the office who have done everything they can think of but no luck getting another OS on. Thanks Compaq.

 

[ftechguy]

Check this thread thread602-764129 for a similar story.

Try to determine exactly what kind of restore CD you have. Since you said you formatted, it seems you have the type that needs the special partition. Also, I believe the full restore CD was actually a set of two or three on many machines.

I have had a Compaq that came with win98 and installing Win2000 worked fine so, if it turns out you can't restore, this is another option.

 

[ceh4702]

Compaq use to have a setup FLOPPY disk you use to have to use. Dont know if this helps. It might have the required special partitioning software on it. You use to be able to download this from Compaq. A lot of people just refuse to mess with Compaq Computers. Some of them are very proprietary.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[Charlie1951]

How did you format the drive?...bootable emergency disk or?

Did you use dos format? In the future, leave partition info alone and just boot a system disk and format both C and D drives. The rescue disks for older Presarios don' like having to set partitions, etc.

Do you get any messages at all when trying to run the restore CD?

 

[Charlie1951]

OOPS...one more "minor" detail: Compaq's Restore CDs will usually NOT work on new hard disks unless they are Compaq replacements...for me and my old Presario 5070, this was a blessing...I'm now running XP Pro on it with a new 10 gig drive, 284 RAM and it virtually flies compared to 98 SE on the old Compaq drive.

If you don;t have a Compaq proprietary drive, kiss the restore disk goodbye.

 

[BadBigBen]

Hola,

yep, had the same probs awhile back with a friends Presario running ME, I bombed the HD, installed XP Pro on it and it gave me probs like crashing and hang-ups... turned out to be the Capacitors on the Mainboard, 4 of which where buldging really badly... So check that out aswell... otherwise installing a Full Version of W98se, W2k, or XP should take care of your problem...



Ben

If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...