Making a recovery diskette for a Compaq

[foghat46]

Yep, I've stepped in it again.

My uncle calls, says his computer won't boot into windows, gets to safe mode, then comes up with an "explorer has performed an illegal something" (no, you're not going to jail) and then shuts off. He "neglects" to tell me it's a Compaq. He digs up the recovery CD but can't find the boot diskette that goes with it. I screwed around with it for awhile then went to HP/Compaq's website, looked up a Presario 5222, and downloaded Sofpaq 9477 which is supposed to make a startup/recovery disk. I run the app on my system with a freshly formatted brand new floppy and almost immediately it tells me that the format failed. OK, I'll try another flop. Same result. OK, another system. Same result with two new flops. OK, I'll go back and download it again, maybe something got lost in the first download. Same results. Am I missing something here? Do I have to run this app on another Compaq to make the disk? Was I an idiot to ignore my own No Compaqs Rule because he's family? I'm stuck. I need a nudge in the right direction. Or a swift kick...

Fog

[richnpoor]

The recovery CD is really all you need if you just want to return the comp to its factory original settings.

If you didnt make a startup disc before I think the rest of your information is toast.

but if you just want it up and running and dont mind reloading all software that didnt come with the comp just insert the recovery cd while the comp is off.

turn on the power and choose factory restore.

BTW compaq owners are people too.

no need to be a computer bigot lol

[foghat46]

Sorry, don't mean to sound that way, I used to own one and have the grey hairs to prove it. This one is giving me more of them. I have tried to boot with the restore CD in the drive and that will not boot. I've been in BIOS looking for boot options and can find none, but I can boot it with a normal Win98 CD. I just can't do anything with it once it comes up, it just gives me messages saying I can't upgrade with that version. I've even been into DOS trying to get the restore CD to run with no luck. Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!