BleepingComputer.com: Compaq Presario 5151 Help!

I am trying to fix and old computer for my grandkids can play on. I had to put a new battery in it and it started working with a windows98 start up disc. I tried to get my recovery cd to work. didn't work. I have played around with it to where I probably am screwed. I have tried to do the fdisk and format and still no help. I don't remember all of the screens I had. I restarted the computer with the windows98 start up disk, I hit f10 I get something called computer setup. I have wrote down every thing this has to say.

Computer Setup 686A1 10\18\99
Language : gives a list i hit enter on english
Then I get this screen System- Communications-Storage-Input Devices-Multimedia-Exit

On System:
PCI Bus Master Enabled Can be changed to disabled
System Post Fast
Power Managment Enabled
Power on Passport
Setup Password
Alternative Memory Reporting Enabled
System Inactivity timeout 38 min.

<--> select menu (arrow up or down) select item +/- change values enter Select
On all Enables there is disabled

Communications
Parallel Port Mode Bidirectional-EPP-Ecp or Compatible
Onboard LAN Enabled

Storage
Diskette Drive A: 1.44mb or 120mb (3.25 inch)-Not Installed-360-kbyte(5.25 inch) 1.2mb (5.25inch) 720-kbyte (3.5inch)
Diskette Drive B: not installed (same as above)
Select operating system: Dos only or dos with Windows-Other operating system

Enchanced IDE transfer: Enabled-Disabled
Ultra33: Disabled-Enabled
Primary IDE controler: Enabled-Disabled
Secondary IDE Controler: Enabled-Disabled

Input Devices
USB legacy keyboard support:Disabled-Enabled

Multimedia
PCI VGA Snoop: Disabled-Enabled
Compaq Multimedia Monitor: Auto-dection -present-not present
Onboard Monochrome Video mode support: Enabled-Disabled

Exit
Save changes and reboot
Ignore changes and exit
Set defaults and reboot

This may belong in hardware not sure. All of the first answer is what it is set on. I can set defaults and nothing changes. I have been looking everywhere for this. All of the bios screens I have seen are not like this one. I am so confused, I really don't want the grandchildren on this computer as soon as they come in. Can I play on your computer? I have enough trouble keeping it going.

not_anyone

When you boot from the windows 98 cd, dont hit the F10 for setup. Does it recognize the CD and ask if you want to boot from the CD? If not the Bios may not be set to boot from your Cd drive.

It will only boot from the floppy start windows'98 disc. I can not get to or find my Bios. I can only get the computer set up and I asked it to set the defaults and that hasn't even helped. I can use the dos to read drives A:,C:,D:, and E: drives. The only f key that gets anythingis the f10, the others I only get a keyboard error. But the cd drive will not boot from a cd, I have tried.

What is the make and model of your computer? Maybe we can find the correct keys to get you into the bios settings.

not_anyone, on Nov 4 2007, 03:13 PM, said:

So what are C:, D: and E: hard drive partitions or CD Roms?

What the BIOS name on the screen when the computer starts up?

The make and model is Compaq Presario 5151, with windows 98. And my C: I take it to be my hard drive, d: is a virtual drive it says there are some files on it and E: is my cd drive. I wish I could tell you the name of my Bios but I can't find it. If I push F10 I get a computer set up like I posted. If I try lie F8, F1 I get keyboard errors. Then I go to a black screen with a blinking _.
I have some information to put up later when I get it all typed up It is on the step by step confirmation, when I boot from the A:(floppy drive) It has to Start with or with out cd rom support. at the bottom it has F5 for safe mode Shift + F8 step by step confirmation and shift + F5 takes you to a command prompt.

Try the F2 or the delete key to access the BIOS
Also try: Compaq Presario - Press <Alt> <Ctrl> <Esc> at boot when you see the "Compaq" log in big letters
Mark

This post has been edited by garmanma: 05 November 2007 - 01:00 PM

F10 is what you want. Do you see anything that has to do with BOOT sequence. You may have to use your arrow key and go to the right at the top to get to other options below.

Crizz44, I tried to send you a message and I could not get it to go through something about 3 characters.
OK F10 gives me computer setup system the control, alternate,with the delete key just kept rebooting. On F2 I got a keybord error. I will keep pluging away till I get it. Thanks alot for your help think of any thing else will be glad to hear it.

When I boot up with the windows start disk. When it asks about boot with cd support and then with out support, at the bottom they these options. One is a step by step confirmation. I made a copy of it or at least most of it I may have a few enters when you are not suppose to. So here it goes.

Shift+F8 Step by step confirmation

Dos=High,UMP[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
Device=Himen.sys?testman:off [Enter=y,Esc=n]
Device=Oakcdrom.sys/D:MSCD001

This driver is provided by Oak Technology OTI-91X ATAPI CD-ROM device driver,
Rev D91XV352
© Copyright Oak Technology Inc. 1987-1997
Device name: MSCD001
Transfer mode:Programed I/O

Device=BTDOSM.SYS [Enter=yEsc.=n]
Device=BTCDROM.SYS /D:MSCD001 [Enter=y,Esc=n]
Device=ASPI2DOS.SYS [Enter=y,Esc.=n]

AIC-62662/6368/6370 ASPI Manager for DOS
Version 3.68S
Copyright 1990-1997 Adapter, Inc.

Device=ASPI8DOS.SYS [Enter=y,Esc.=n]

ACI6262/6360/6370 ASPI Manger for DOS
Version 1.32S
Copyright 1994-1997 Adapter,Inc.

Bus scan complete
Device=ASP4DOS.SYS [Enter=yEsc.=n]

AHA-1540/1542/1640 ASPI Manager for Dos
Version 3.36S
Copyright 1989-1997 Adapter,Inc.

Device+ASPI8U2.SYS [Enter=y.Esc.=n]
AIC-7890191 ASPI Manger fo4 DOS
Version 1.00S
Copyright 1994-1997 Adapter,Inc.

PCI bus scan complete
Device=ASPICD.SYS /D:MSDC001[Enter=y,Esc=n]

ASPI CD-ROM Driver for DOS
Version 4.01S
Copyright 1991-1996 Adapter,Inc.

File=10[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
Buffers=10[Enter=y,Esc=n]
Stacks=9,256[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
Device high=RAMDRIVE.s /E: 2048[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
Microsoft RAMDRIVE Version 3.06 Virtual disk D:

Disk Size:2,048K
Sector Size:512bytes
Allocation unit:2 sectors
Directory entries:64
Last Drive=Z [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
Echo off
set Expand+Yes[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set Dircmd=10N{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
setLglDrv=27 * 26 Z 25 Y 24 X 23 W 22 V 21 U 20 T 19 S 18 R 17 Q 16 P 15{Enter=y,Esc=n]
Set LglDrive=27 * 26 Z 25Y 24 X 23 W 22 V 20 T 19 S 18 R 17 Q 16 P 15 O 14 N 13 M 12 L 11 K 10 J 9 I 7 G 6 F 5 E 4 D 3 C [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cls [Enter=y,Esc.=n]

Call set ramd.bat 27 * 26 Z 25 Y 24 X 23 W 22 V 21 U 20 T 19 S 18 R 17 Q 16 P 15 O 14 N 13 M 12 L 11 K 10 J 9 I 8 H 7 G 6 F 5 E 4 D 3 C [Enter=y,Esc,=n]
echo off{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set RAMD=[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set cdrom=[Enter=yEsc.=n]
echo [Enter=yEsc.=n]
echo Preparing to start your computer{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
Preparing to start your computer
echo This may take a few minutes... [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
This may take a few minutes Please wait...
echo [Enter=y,Esc=n]

A:\ find ram[Enter=y,Esc=n]
if errorlevel 225 goto no_ramdrive{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not errorlevel 3 goto no_ram drive[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set cdrom*[Enter=y,Esc=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 26*==* goto loop[Enter,Esc.]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 26 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set cdrom=Z[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 25*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 25 goto loop no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
setcdrom=y{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 24*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 24 goto no_shift
set cdrom=x[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not level 23*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if erorlevel 23 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set cdrom=w[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 22*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 22 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set cdrom=v{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 21*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 21 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set cdrom=u[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 20 *==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 20 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set cdrom=t[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 19*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 19 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=s[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 18 *==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 18 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=r[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc=n]
if not 17 *==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 17 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=q[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not16*==*goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y<Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 16 goto no_shift[Enter-y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=p[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 15*==* goto loop[Enter=y.Esc.=n]
goto loop{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 15 goto no_shift=[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=o[Enter-y,Esc.=n]
shift{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y, Esc.=n]
if not 14*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop{Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 14 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=n[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esx.=n]
if not 13*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esx.-n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 13 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=m[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 12 *==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 12=goto no_shift[Enter-y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=l[Enter=y,Esc.-n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter-y,Esc.-n]
if not11*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 11 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=k[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.-n]
if not10*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 10 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=j[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter-y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 9*==* goto loop[Enter-y,
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 9 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc=n]
cdrom=i[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 8*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 8 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=h[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 7*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop [Enter=y,Esc.-n]
if errorlevel 7 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=g[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 6*==*goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc=n]
if errorlevel 6 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=f[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 5*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 5 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc=n]
cdrom=e[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if not 4*==* goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto loop[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
if errorlevel 4 goto no_shift[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
cdrom=d

Set ram=d
if"D"= + "C" go to c. drive
goto sucess
set temp = c:\
set tmp = c:\
path = D:\;A:\;E:\
copy command.com D:\ >nul[Enter=y,Esc=n]
set comspec=D:\command.com[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
copy extract.exe D:\> nul[Enter=y,Esc.=n]
copy read.txt D:\>nul
If exist ebd.cab goto ext {Enter=y,Esc.=n]
goto ext [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
D:\extract/y l e /\ D:\ebd.cab>nul [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
echo The diagnostic tools were successfully loaded to drive D [Enter=y,Esc.=n]

The diagnostic tools were successfully loaded to drive D:\ [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
echo. [Enter=y,Esc.=n]


if "CD"="NOCD" goto quit[Enter=y,Esc.n]
if "CD"="HELP goto help
LH D:\MSCDEX>EXE/D:\mscd001/L:E
MSDEX Version 2.25
Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1986-1995
all rights reserved
Drive E:\ = Driver MSCD001 unit 0
echo. [Enter=y,Esc.=n]

GOTO Quit [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
echo to get help, type help and press enter
echo.[Enter=y,Esc.=n]

rem cleanup enviroment variables [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set cdrom = [Enter=y,Esc.=n]
set lglder= [Enter=y,Esc.=n]

I hope I have copied all of this correctly.I am only human lol.

Thanks to any one who understands all of this.

Ok, if you just hit the F10 key only, do you get a screen with setup options. Be sure you do not have a disc in any drives, just let the computer start and hit F10.

This is from Compaq's support site
for older units
""Compaq Presario - Press <Alt> <Ctrl> <Esc> at boot when you see the "Compaq" log in big letters"
Mark

This post has been edited by garmanma: 09 November 2007 - 07:39 PM

not_anyone, on Nov 3 2007, 05:28 PM, said:

I have a 5151, and the only original parts on it are the case and motherboard. But I'd start off by saying, what you are calling the "computer setup" is the BIOS. So, hitting F10 while the red COMPAQ letters repeatedly, will get you that. I'm not positive about this, but I think you need to change the system POST to slow, or off of Fast anyway (don't remember what the other setting is). This should cause the system to look at all the drives when booting. Most of the default settings should work, as long as you didn't change much inside the computer. You want the busses enabled, the USB enabled, the PCI VGA disabled, the A drive enabled, the B not enabled, enhanced IDE and Ultra 33 enabled. Then, before you save the changes, open the CD drive, and put in the "red RESTORE" disc.

It'll ask you for some information, model, perhaps the serial number, I think, and just give it the information the best you can. Then choose the full restore, full format version. Be warned, it takes a long time, and you may not think it is doing much, but usually it is.

It should format the hard drive, and then install all of the OS, and drivers of the original computer. Assuming this works, go to MS update after you get hooked up to the Internet, and get as many updates as they'll give you. They stopped providing support at some point.

I can't know if everything is working on your computer, or what experimentation has been done, what parts have been changed. But if all is working well, it should work, and restore your OS, and reinstall all your drivers. If you've changed something, perhaps not.

Don't bother trying to upgrade to windows ME (did it, not worth it), or XP (haven't been able to yet), as 98 is just as good, and XP didn't work.

Mine (and yours I suspect) came with 96 MB of ram, and after a small upgrade from Compaq, which I suspect you can still get, it maxes out at 384 MB. I'd suggest you look around and see if you can max that out cheaply. Also, mine came with a 350 MHz processor (got one, if you need it, pay the postage), and it can be upgraded to an AMD K62 500 MHz, I over-clocked mine to 540.

Another failure in my long history with this computer (I'm using it to type this, incidentally), was trying to upgrade to a PCI video card. I could never get the computer to "NOT" see the on-board graphics, so it never worked. I wouldn't bother. but if you can find three cheap sticks of 128 MB memory, that'd be worth the effort. Strangely, old memory costs more than some of the mid to new models.

Truth is, rather than go through all of this, you may just want to find a cheap $200 deal somewhere, as new computers are so cheap these days. But if you want to go to the trouble, this should work.

I hope this helps. I've enjoyed working on this one, and it is still working, though the only original parts are the case and motherboard. I put a raid card, took out the IOMEGA drive, installed two 80 GB hard drives (the 8GB failed), 384 MB of memory, and converted the power supply to an ATX. You don't even want to know what was involved in that, different plugs, some case modding, and there was soldering involved.

Email me if you think it will help.
{Mod Edit:removed EMail to Spare user attack of the SpamBots~~boopme}

This post has been edited by boopme: 01 December 2007 - 05:51 PM

Thanks alot boopme. Someone had sent another one of my posts to this area oops put it to many forums. Crizz44 stayed with me and I have windows 98 up and running. My son in law (who knows everthing) told me my hard drivewas gone. But I really want to reread what you have wrote. Just love you guys here
Not_anyone

This post has been edited by not_anyone: 02 December 2007 - 05:15 PM