Maetryx here,
Here is the word straight from
Compaq:
Compaq on 2/15/2001 had this insight:
"To access CMOS/BIOS/Computer setup/Diagnostics/, press F10 when the computer beeps twice on boot, or when the cursor moves into the upper right corner. If that doesn't work, then turn off the computer, and unplug the keyboard. After a minute or so, turn the computer back on. When you get a "keyboard error" on your screen, plug the keyboard in while the computer is on and then press the F10 key.
If you find that you are unable to run Compaq Diags or enter F10 Computer Setup one of the following will occur:
·a "not enough base memory" error
·a "no operating system" error
·cursor doesn't go to the right corner
·a "Bad or Missing Command Interpreter" error
The cause for this may include the following:
·upon replacing the preinstalled HD, you hit F10 at the 2 beeps and nothing happens
·reformatted the HD and ran FDisk, destroying the Non-DOS partition on the HD
·ran Fdisk, and just decided to delete the non-Dos partition
·installed a new HD and didn't install the diags before adding your data to the drive
·failure of the hard drive
The only thing to do is to run diags off diskette. You can't install the diags partition after formatting a new drive, or with data on the drive now.
If you get the base memory error, run a virus scan on the computer.
You are more than welcome to install the diags back on the hard drive, BUT you MUST run fdisk again and delete all partitions currently on the drive, destroying all data that is there. There is no way to run fdisk and create the partition and save your data. There have been reports that customers using a program called Partition Magic have succeeded in creating enough room on the hard drive to install the diags and saving their information. Compaq does not endorse this program and takes no responsibility in any loss of data should you decide to attempt this process.
Diags files...
SP1363 - 500, 700, 900 series -- Computer Setup
SP2141 - 5000, 7000, 9000 series -- Computer Setup
SP2373 - all series -- Diagnostics
Download the appropriate file you need from
www.compaq.com, save it to your HD, not a floppy disk run the file off the HD, where it will ask for and use a blank floppy. This makes a boot disk that will let you get into the appropriate area you need."