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08-03-2002, 03:45 PM
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#1 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: tampa,fl
Posts: 762
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Help with really old compaq...
My dad just bought this compaq from a garage sale for 10 bucks...and it had some sort of old windows os that i didn't care for so i fomatted the comp and installed win98 the problem is i need a correct command line to enter,i've tried everything...
win98... win... 98... boot... startup... damn it i said boot!!!... and nothin' anyone know the correct command line? |
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08-03-2002, 03:47 PM
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#2 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: tampa,fl
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oh yeah the compaq is a compaq presario cdtv 520...btw can i upgrade the processor,mobo,and such to this computer?
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08-03-2002, 03:56 PM
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#3 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Fullerton, CA
Posts: 7,030
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Hi sam21,
You need a boot disk to start the installation. Download it from here and it will copy the needed files to a floppy disk (do this on another system). http://dos.li5.org/IMGS/WIN98SE.EXE Startup the Compaq system with that disk in the drive, and then change to the CD drive (D: for example), and run SETUP. And at most, you can upgrade the memory and hard drive, but not the other components. Since you got it for $10 it may not even be worth the hassle. Hope that helps. |
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08-03-2002, 04:03 PM
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#4 | |
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Member (10 bit)
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Quote:
i've already installed windows,i just gotta know the correct command line... |
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08-03-2002, 04:08 PM
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#5 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Fullerton, CA
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The correct command line to sartup Windows? That should be:
CD C:\WINDOWS WIN If I remember correctly. |
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08-03-2002, 04:13 PM
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#6 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: tampa,fl
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Aaargh i've tried that just now it's not it...this is stupid...i mean i've installe dwindows and the splash screen came up and i need a command line...why do i need a comand line?
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08-03-2002, 04:52 PM
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#7 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: tampa,fl
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can i add a nic?
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08-03-2002, 04:56 PM
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#8 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Fullerton, CA
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What exactly happens when you startup the system? Does it go to the C: prompt?
And, if there is a PCI slot available, you can add a NIC. |
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08-03-2002, 05:34 PM
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#9 | |
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Quote:
C\:...is there,this is where i'm having trouble... |
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08-03-2002, 05:51 PM
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#10 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Fullerton, CA
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Compaqs and other name brands usually don't show the POST screen, just the memory count and they jump directly into Windows. You need to edit the autoexec.bat file and add the command to start Windows right away. Like I said, last I recall it was WIN in the C:\Windows directory, but it's been a while since I've used Win9x.
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08-03-2002, 08:49 PM
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#11 | |
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Member (10 bit)
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Quote:
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08-03-2002, 08:52 PM
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#12 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Fullerton, CA
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At the DOS prompt, type edit autoexec.bat and it will open up.
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08-03-2002, 08:57 PM
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#13 |
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where or how do i get to the dos prompt?
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08-03-2002, 08:58 PM
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#14 |
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and what do i do once i get there?
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08-03-2002, 10:24 PM
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#15 |
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Member (10 bit)
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Does anybody else know anything about this?
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08-04-2002, 06:36 AM
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#16 |
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Member (7 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cowtown, Texas (Fort Worth)
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Go to compaq.com, they have excellent info on just about all models of their computers online.
A word of warning, it may well be that the computer isn't capable of upgrading. I had an older Compaq that had win 3.1 and would not upgrade to 98 or even 95. Compaq makes good computers, I love the Presario models but they leave a lot to be desired in the bios systems. They assume the user doesn't have a clue on bios settings and so put limited bios settings within reach of the user. When you get a c prompt type edit config.sys. See what's in it. The close that and do edit autoexec.bat. See what's in there. Other than this, if you don't see c:\win or c:\windows or something similar you may need to add the line to get it to boot. My guess is it's not upgradeable. I spent seven hours one Saturday afternoon trying to upgrade a similar computer that wouldn't. Gave up and tossed it. Sometimes the other components just aren't up to an upgrade. And if you're gonna put all new guts in might as well buy a refurb that's upgradeable. Can get a good one at tigerdirect.com for $300 Texas2Step |
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08-04-2002, 03:00 PM
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#17 |
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Member (10 bit)
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http://athome.compaq.com/showroom/classic/index.asp that's the comp,
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08-04-2002, 05:14 PM
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#18 |
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Member (7 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cowtown, Texas (Fort Worth)
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Hey Sam the link comes up in a frame, which model is it? Looked at the first one listed and saw a couple of things that might make upgrading this computer to 98 difficult (but maybe not impossible)
did you by any off chance get any software whatsoever with it? Texas2Step |
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08-04-2002, 05:18 PM
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#19 |
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Member (10 bit)
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Location: tampa,fl
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it's the cdtv520....it had some sort of old windows os...prolly 3.1
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08-04-2002, 05:34 PM
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#20 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: tampa,fl
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"Hi sam21,
First, create a Win98 bootdisk like I described in my post. Then, start the system with the disk, and run format c: to format the drive. Then, type fdisk /mbr. After that, restart with the disk again (make sure to enable CD support), then change to the CD drive and run setup. Hope that helps, and feel free to make a post in the forum if you have any more questions" DrZaius, when i run the comp with the disk and typed format c:...it tells me bad command line...typing fcisk/mbr,setup also does the same... |
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08-04-2002, 07:42 PM
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#21 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Woodland Hills, CA (suburb of Los Angeles)
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Wow, that really is a dinosaur. Actually, I love playing with those things, just to see what they can do. Your model, though, is pretty severely limited: the 486 SX2/66 refers to a cpu with no math coprocessor (it would say 486 DX2/66 otherwise). No problem if it's running DOS or Win 3.11 . . . kinda slooooooow for anything past Win95. (..hmm...actually, I just noticed a line in the Compaq blurb that this machine can be upgraded to a 486 DX2/66, so it might have a co-processor after all, if it was upgraded somewhere along the way)
And it's a "Local Bus" machine! (Remember the old VESA slots...about the same length as an ISA slot, maybe longer?) No PCI here. Going to be interesting to find Win98 video drivers for that. If you have a Win95 disk around, I'd recommend that. . .who knows, maybe Compaq has drivers you can download. How much memory does it have? 32mb or more (the model maxes out at 64mb) will be fine for Win95, just barely Ok for 98. Hal once had a post about old Compaqs having Bios information on a special partition on the hard drive... that could complicate things a bit. . . _____ and after you start the computer from the floppy, are you at the a: prompt or a C: prompt (should be a: ..).... then, can you get to the D: drive (your Cd drive?..... might be a tough go, because that Cd drive is most likely a pre-IDE type, running off a connector on the sound card. . . not sure if the Oak Cd drivers will do for those ....if that's the case, you'll need to put the Cd-drivers onto the boot disk so Windows can find your Cd drive) . . . Gary |
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08-04-2002, 07:52 PM
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#22 |
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: tampa,fl
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I'm not sure on the mbs...prolly 20mb's cause on the memory countup it says 20xxx kb's...if i can't run win98,does anybody know a link for win3.1 or win95?i just wanna get this sob running...and uh i can a nic for this right,cause it has 2 modem,1 onboard and one add on...i'm thinking of ripping this one out...
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08-04-2002, 08:48 PM
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#23 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Woodland Hills, CA (suburb of Los Angeles)
Posts: 4,038
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If Win98 is the only disk you have, it'll do. You won't see that much difference once running a word processor, for example. It will be the program load times that will lag just a bit. And with only 20mb of RAM, system work like defragging that little disk will take eternities of time.
The specs page you posted says that one of those modems is a 14.4: OK for faxing; don't want to surf with that. If the mobo has a free ISA slot, you might be able to find someone who'll give you their old nic. (I wouldn't spend money on this particular toy) It also says there's a TV tuner card on there! 1st class in 1994! Were you able to get to the D: prompt? (if the garage sale folks had a bag of old system floppies that came with the pc, the cd-rom driver might be on one of 'em) . . . Gary |
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08-04-2002, 09:39 PM
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#24 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: tampa,fl
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GaryRouth how do i know if it has a free ISA slot?,i've already bought the nic...
yes win98 is only cd i have,how would i install this? what do i need a tv card for? nope the comp didn't came with any disk/cd's,sometime i was able to but when i turn the comp on with the boot disk and win98 cd..the comp doesn't read drive d:...it says no divers were selected and pci read error... |
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08-04-2002, 10:16 PM
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#25 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Woodland Hills, CA (suburb of Los Angeles)
Posts: 4,038
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Hi again:
The PCI read error is pretty funny, since there's no PCI anywhere on that PC. A TV tuner card lets you watch TV on your PC. Either attaches to a cable, or an antenna, I suppose. I've never had one myself. (I'll get to the install issue in minute) You'll have to open the box to see if there's an open ISA slot. I had to go look at an old VESA Local Bus mobo here at work to refresh my memory as to their layout. The VESA Local Bus slots are just gigantic...they go all the way across the motherboard. The ISA slots are not quite as long, and are usually next to the 72pin SIMM memory slots (the ISA slots on a VESA board are where the PCI slots are on a PCI board). Hope you got an ISA nic (don't spend more than $5 on this box, someone is bound to have an old ISA nic somewhere for you for free....they also might have a pair of old SIMMS you could try: they install in pairs) While you have the box open, jot down the make/model of the Cd-rom and sound card and we'll see if we can find a driver to put on the boot disk. (the Compaq site might have something) If we can get the right driver onto the boot disk Dr Zaius had you make, then you should be able to install as he instructed. Maybe. It's just for fun anyway: we may find, as Texas2Step mentions, that it won't upgrade to Win95/98 without serious magic. I'll check back after dinner . . . Gary |
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08-05-2002, 09:02 AM
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#26 |
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Member (7 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Cowtown, Texas (Fort Worth)
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My guess is win 95 will be the max you can get. Hey I still have my old win 3.1 discs and maybe a win 95 boot disc but I don't think I have much left that will help.
Generally I have found that computers that came with pre-installed 3.1 don't have the "umph" to run much else. There will be lots of unsupported stuff in the clockworks it takes to make a higher version run. You might be able to take it back to 3.1 (just my recommendation) then try to upgrade to 95. In truth I also would not spend any money on it, but strip any useful parts only. Texas2Step |
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08-05-2002, 09:57 AM
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#27 |
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Member (10 bit)
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GaryRouth,
he only thing that the comp will do is fornat c: on d: everthing else gives me the bad command line dealy... I'll check my nic but if it's not ISA i'll just keep it for the one i'm buildiing later on... |
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08-05-2002, 09:59 AM
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#28 | |
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Member (10 bit)
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Quote:
how would i get 3.1 back?because i've must've formatted the drive like 5 times already... and once again if u know a link to get win3.1/95 boot disk...please post 'em... |
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08-05-2002, 10:53 AM
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#29 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Mt Washington, KY
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Some of those old Compaq store BIOS info on the HD. I have a old Deskpro XL520 (60Mhz) and I had the bright idea to format and reinstall WIN98. Well I wiped out the BIOS info and it took 3 calls to Compaq before I got everything to get that puppy going again.
Chas
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I may not be much, but I'm all I think about. |
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08-05-2002, 01:34 PM
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#30 |
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Member (10 bit)
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confused,
what # did u call and what did u tell them? |
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