Getting to the BIOS section on Compaq Presario 5202

[kentuckyman]

I have a problem booting to Win98. I can get to the Red Compaq Logo and can hit F10 to get to "computer setup" but that isn't helping. I moved the jumper above the battery to reset CMOS and then by holding down the ESC key I got it to boot back to WIN98. Problem is, once the computer is shut down it goes back to the Red Compaq Logo on restart.

Could it be that the Administrator Password is keeping it from booting to WIN98 each time? : If so how do I remove password?

I also do not have a "WIN98 Startup Disk". Where can I get one?

Thanks. I need the help because there's an unfinished novel on that hard drive and I don't want to lose it. That's why I haven't used System Restore or Reformat tools. If I can just get it to boot again to WIN98 maybe I can hook up a USB CD burner and salvage the novel.
(I know, I should have backed it up earlier!)


Thank you for your help.

 

[micker377]

As for startup disk, if you can get into Windows: go to add/remove programs - At the top, you will find a tab saying "Startup Disk". Put a disk into drive A, and hit enter. The computer will make it for you. If you are using Win 98, you will need to make a "98" disk. If 98SE, you will need to make a 98SE disk. They are different. Is the computer asking for a "password"? If so which one? Are you even getting to the Desktop?

 

[edfair]

Get a disk from

http://www.bootdisk.com

and it should allow access to the hard drive. In DOS, but access.

Don't know the screen you are reaching, but it sounds like it may be a default that you reach if you can't boot. And if what you are setting up is not holding you may need a battery.

Worst case may require you to put the drive in another machine long enough to get your novel back, so whatever you do, don't do any recovery back to original state.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[kentuckyman]

GOOD NEWS FOLLOW UP! I was able to remove and replace battery, move the jumper settings long enough to let it reset the CMOS, then started in WINDOWS98!!! I downloaded my novel to a floppy!!! (Thank goodness!)

Now that I have it booted, I have another problem, that is it won't go out of 16 color mode. I'm using a replacement monitor, a KDS XTREME FLAT MODEL XF7B. I've tried and tried to get it to read the KDS driver but it keeps telling me that the .inf files I need are not there.

I have now downloaded the original drive for RAGE PRO 3 (10.2 MB) to my new computer and getting ready to burn it to a CD so I can try installing the Display Adapter drivers to see if that will let me change the Monitor driver.

Thanks for all suggestions. This is a great site.

Don

 

[edfair]

Your problem is not the monitor drivers, it is the graphic adapter drivers. Should be on the restore CD somewhere, or get the specific set from Compaq. Usually fit on a single floppy. And while you are at it, get the entire set for your machine. Graphics, IDE, BIOS, network, and diagnostics.

Once you have the correct adapter drivers in and running it should pick up the correct display.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.