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Getting old Compaq 5100 to work. Please help
Hi all,
I have just obtained a very old computer that was previously used in a university lab. I have several questions about it. I have trawled postings here, but I am still very confused about the computer and its behaviour. a) The computers' exterior panel reads Compaq Deskpro 5100. Does this mean that the computer is a Deskpro 4000 5100? I am trying to download software/drivers for this my computer, but this is the closest match I can get to on the Compaq website. b) If the model is correct, then which software (in the Compaq website) should I download for the setup/diagnostic program that so many posts have been talking about? The link that I use is: http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/fi...cate/4_74.html c) I tried downloading the software "Computer Setup/VP and PC Diagnostics" but that only creates a single diskette. Some posts have state that the Setup/Diagnostic program should have created 3 diskettes. Am I downloading the wrong package? d) The computer came with a VxWorks O/S and it boots off the Ethernet network. So, I have detached the HDD and plug it into another computer, before wiping the whole drive and creating a single partition. Then I formatted the HDD to FAT32 and inserted Windows system files into it. When I have re-attached the HDD to the Compaq computer, I could not boot off either the floppy or the HDD. What is wrong? e) To try booting the machine (after performing step (d)), I have created both an MS-DOS(Windows) and Setup/Diagnostic (mentioned in (c)) boot disks. Both refuse to boot. I try booting them using F10 after then memory check, and then the standard 2 beeps. All that happens is the floppy gets reads twice, briefly, before and after the 2 beeps. After that, I get the error: "Non-system disk or disk error, please insert the correct disk and press any key" I think it is trying to read off the HDD here? f) Should I try to jumper the HDD to slave to force the floppy to boot? Thank you very much in advance for ANY pointers/clues. Paul |
For a better answer, post the serial number of the machine. That'd tell
some of us, what you have.. Mike in Houston "Paul" wrote in message om... Hi all, I have just obtained a very old computer that was previously used in a university lab. I have several questions about it. I have trawled postings here, but I am still very confused about the computer and its behaviour. a) The computers' exterior panel reads Compaq Deskpro 5100. Does this mean that the computer is a Deskpro 4000 5100? I am trying to download software/drivers for this my computer, but this is the closest match I can get to on the Compaq website. b) If the model is correct, then which software (in the Compaq website) should I download for the setup/diagnostic program that so many posts have been talking about? The link that I use is: http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/fi...cate/4_74.html c) I tried downloading the software "Computer Setup/VP and PC Diagnostics" but that only creates a single diskette. Some posts have state that the Setup/Diagnostic program should have created 3 diskettes. Am I downloading the wrong package? d) The computer came with a VxWorks O/S and it boots off the Ethernet network. So, I have detached the HDD and plug it into another computer, before wiping the whole drive and creating a single partition. Then I formatted the HDD to FAT32 and inserted Windows system files into it. When I have re-attached the HDD to the Compaq computer, I could not boot off either the floppy or the HDD. What is wrong? e) To try booting the machine (after performing step (d)), I have created both an MS-DOS(Windows) and Setup/Diagnostic (mentioned in (c)) boot disks. Both refuse to boot. I try booting them using F10 after then memory check, and then the standard 2 beeps. All that happens is the floppy gets reads twice, briefly, before and after the 2 beeps. After that, I get the error: "Non-system disk or disk error, please insert the correct disk and press any key" I think it is trying to read off the HDD here? f) Should I try to jumper the HDD to slave to force the floppy to boot? Thank you very much in advance for ANY pointers/clues. Paul |
"Mike Calkins" wrote in message ...
For a better answer, post the serial number of the machine. That'd tell some of us, what you have.. Mike in Houston Hi, Um... I dont know which number is the serial number. Seems to have numbers pasted all over the internal/external of the machine. Any help here? Paul |
Hi,
I seem to have found the number, not really sure if it is the one.. 8546HSI(1?)70767 Regards, Paul (Paul) wrote in message om... "Mike Calkins" wrote in message ... For a better answer, post the serial number of the machine. That'd tell some of us, what you have.. Mike in Houston Hi, Um... I dont know which number is the serial number. Seems to have numbers pasted all over the internal/external of the machine. Any help here? Paul |
"| | (Paul) wrote in message . com... | | (Paul) wrote in message om... | "Mike Calkins" wrote in message ... Paul" wrote in message om... | Hi, | | Can anyone help on this matter? Please see thread. I don't want to clog | up the newsgroup by reposting. | | Thanks! | Paul Just go to their support page and it will autoprobe your PC. They will let you know exactly what you have. |
"Frank" wrote in message m... | | "| | | (Paul) wrote in message | . com... | | | | (Paul) wrote in message | om... | | "Mike Calkins" wrote in message | ... | | Paul" wrote in message | om... | | Hi, | | | | Can anyone help on this matter? Please see thread. I don't want to | clog | | up the newsgroup by reposting. | | | | Thanks! | | Paul | | Just go to their support page and it will autoprobe your PC. | They will let you know exactly what you have. As an after thought, here is the URL http://h71025.www7.hp.com/support/parts/hwlookup.asp |
Hi,
Just an update. I have typed in the serial number and got the model as "Deskpro DT4 5100". Getting to the right webpage that has _available_ support files is a pain but I got there. I tried running the boot disk created using SP8447 but still the computer refuses to boot into the floppy. I am wondering if the BIOS has been set to NOT boot from floppy. Now that the bootable partition is gone, therefore I cannot re-configure the BIOS and the computer wont be able to boot into either the floppy or the setup partition. So the question is whether this computer is recoverable i.e. make to boot properly? Should I try formatting the HDD to DOS mode and 'sys'-ing it ? Thanks. Any pointers would help, Paul "Frank" wrote in message om... "Frank" wrote in message m... | | "| | | (Paul) wrote in message . com... | | | | (Paul) wrote in message om... | | "Mike Calkins" wrote in message | ... | | Paul" wrote in message | om... | | Hi, | | | | Can anyone help on this matter? Please see thread. I don't want to clog | | up the newsgroup by reposting. | | | | Thanks! | | Paul | | Just go to their support page and it will autoprobe your PC. | They will let you know exactly what you have. As an after thought, here is the URL http://h71025.www7.hp.com/support/parts/hwlookup.asp |
Paul wrote:
Hi, Just an update. I have typed in the serial number and got the model as "Deskpro DT4 5100". Getting to the right webpage that has _available_ support files is a pain but I got there. I tried running the boot disk created using SP8447 but still the computer refuses to boot into the floppy. What, if any, messages are you getting when you try to boot from the floppy disk? I am wondering if the BIOS has been set to NOT boot from floppy. Now that the bootable partition is gone, therefore I cannot re-configure the BIOS and the computer wont be able to boot into either the floppy or the setup partition. So the question is whether this computer is recoverable i.e. make to boot properly? Should I try formatting the HDD to DOS mode and 'sys'-ing it ? Thanks. Any pointers would help, Paul "Frank" wrote in message om... "Frank" wrote in message m... | | "| | | (Paul) wrote in message . com... | | | | (Paul) wrote in message om... | | "Mike Calkins" wrote in message | ... | | Paul" wrote in message | om... | | Hi, | | | | Can anyone help on this matter? Please see thread. I don't want to clog | | up the newsgroup by reposting. | | | | Thanks! | | Paul | | Just go to their support page and it will autoprobe your PC. | They will let you know exactly what you have. As an after thought, here is the URL http://h71025.www7.hp.com/support/parts/hwlookup.asp |
I am wondering if the BIOS has been set to NOT boot from floppy. Now
that the bootable partition is gone, therefore I cannot re-configure the BIOS and the computer wont be able to boot into either the floppy or the setup partition. A CMOS reset would return the unit to default settings, which would be boot first to FDD---right? Good luck! Dale |
Hi,
When I tried to boot from floppy, the PC reads the floppy, twice briefly, before giving me the error: Non-system disk or disk error. This happens regardless how many times I push the F10 button. I even tried using a Windows boot floppy. Regarding the CMOS reset: My understanding is that I have to remove the battery from the motherboard in order to reset the CMOS. The battery seems to be fixed quite securely to the motherboard and certainly not removable by hand. I have not tried using a screwdriver, but I will certainly try it sometime if the boot floppy will not work. Thanks for any advice, Paul |
Regarding the CMOS reset: My understanding is that I have to remove the battery from the motherboard in order to reset the CMOS. The battery seems to be fixed quite securely to the motherboard and certainly not removable by hand. I have not tried using a screwdriver, but I will certainly try it sometime if the boot floppy will not work. Some CMOS batteries are soldered onto the systemboard (only God and Compaq know why). Should be jumper pins somewhere on the board, with a jumper in place, that controls the flow of current to the CMOS from the battery, and is also the connection point for an aux battery to attach to and power the CMOS when the onboard battery goes dead. Dale |
Batteries were once soldered on boards because at the time the only
batteries that could do the job were of a type that required it and computer designers were not concerned with this issue much. With the boom in personal computers and improvements in battery technology created the simple to install ones we use today. That is why they came up with the auxiliary batteries to allow you to supplement a computer with a dead soldered on battery. Computer techs used to have to unsolder the old batteries and then solder on a new one. Not to hard on a single layer board of that era, the devil to do on the new boards of today. Now you, God, Compaq (and all of the other mother board manufacturers of that era), and all the readers of this forum know why. KC "DEJ57" wrote in message ... Regarding the CMOS reset: My understanding is that I have to remove the battery from the motherboard in order to reset the CMOS. The battery seems to be fixed quite securely to the motherboard and certainly not removable by hand. I have not tried using a screwdriver, but I will certainly try it sometime if the boot floppy will not work. Some CMOS batteries are soldered onto the systemboard (only God and Compaq know why). Should be jumper pins somewhere on the board, with a jumper in place, that controls the flow of current to the CMOS from the battery, and is also the connection point for an aux battery to attach to and power the CMOS when the onboard battery goes dead. Dale |
Batteries were once soldered on boards because at the time the only batteries that could do the job were of a type that required it and computer designers were not concerned with this issue much. With the boom in personal computers and improvements in battery technology created the simple to install ones we use today. That is why they came up with the auxiliary batteries to allow you to supplement a computer with a dead soldered on battery. Computer techs used to have to unsolder the old batteries and then solder on a new one. Not to hard on a single layer board of that era, the devil to do on the new boards of today. Now you, God, Compaq (and all of the other mother board manufacturers of that era), and all the readers of this forum know why. KC Well, that sounds good--but doesn't seem to mesh with my limited experience. Maybe that theory holds for other clones but not Compaqs? Older pre-1996 Comapaq PCs I've worked on didn't have soldered on batteries, but had attached by wire CMOS batteries. Of two Compaqs I owned from 1996, the slightly newer one was soldered on, and the older did not (disk battery in holder/socket). But both used practically the same 3 volt battery, except the soldered on one's model number was like one digit different than the other, and had extensions on it for the solder points. But it was the basically the same battery. Older 386 and 486 Compaq laptops I worked on had the same disk batteries in holders, not soldered on. Sorry, I don't see the thyme and reason that you do in the way this issue has been handled by Compaq over the years. Guess I'm just missing the method in the madness.... Well, if a tech has to solder the batteries off and on, or you have to buy a $25 aux battery rather than the user to be able to replace a $3 3 volt disk battery--maybe thats the wisdom from Compaqs part. Maybe a soldered on is cheaper than a battery in a holder? Dale |
"DEJ57" wrote in message ... Batteries were once soldered on boards because at the time the only batteries that could do the job were of a type that required it and computer designers were not concerned with this issue much. With the boom in personal computers and improvements in battery technology created the simple to install ones we use today. That is why they came up with the auxiliary batteries to allow you to supplement a computer with a dead soldered on battery. Computer techs used to have to unsolder the old batteries and then solder on a new one. Not to hard on a single layer board of that era, the devil to do on the new boards of today. Now you, God, Compaq (and all of the other mother board manufacturers of that era), and all the readers of this forum know why. KC Well, that sounds good--but doesn't seem to mesh with my limited experience. Maybe that theory holds for other clones but not Compaqs? Older pre-1996 Comapaq PCs I've worked on didn't have soldered on batteries, but had attached by wire CMOS batteries. Of two Compaqs I owned from 1996, the slightly newer one was soldered on, and the older did not (disk battery in holder/socket). But both used practically the same 3 volt battery, except the soldered on one's model number was like one digit different than the other, and had extensions on it for the solder points. But it was the basically the same battery. Older 386 and 486 Compaq laptops I worked on had the same disk batteries in holders, not soldered on. Sorry, I don't see the thyme and reason that you do in the way this issue has been handled by Compaq over the years. Guess I'm just missing the method in the madness.... The wired on batteries were an alternetive not seen much outside of Compaqs that I know of. I should have mentioned that the majority of my experience has been with non-Compaq machines. The lates and greatest battery solution is the socketed NiCAD or lithium battery. Actually when the change came to the socket, you could occasionally find a board that had the socket, but all documentation would still show the old soldered battery. Cost wise I have no idea. Also with the newer machines, the battery will last longer because the newer motherboards place less demand on them. Another plus of modern electronics that still has not extended to other devices in the PC. Well, if a tech has to solder the batteries off and on, or you have to buy a $25 aux battery rather than the user to be able to replace a $3 3 volt disk battery--maybe thats the wisdom from Compaqs part. Maybe a soldered on is cheaper than a battery in a holder? Dale |
Many Compaq systemboards had a 3-pin connector close to the preinstalled
battery. You could attach a 4.5 volt alkaline battery to take the place of the dead systemboard battery. Compaq sold these batteries, which included the battery, a 3-wire connector and velcro strip to attach the battery to the systemboard. HH "Kevin Childers" wrote in message ... Batteries were once soldered on boards because at the time the only batteries that could do the job were of a type that required it and computer designers were not concerned with this issue much. With the boom in personal computers and improvements in battery technology created the simple to install ones we use today. That is why they came up with the auxiliary batteries to allow you to supplement a computer with a dead soldered on battery. Computer techs used to have to unsolder the old batteries and then solder on a new one. Not to hard on a single layer board of that era, the devil to do on the new boards of today. Now you, God, Compaq (and all of the other mother board manufacturers of that era), and all the readers of this forum know why. KC "DEJ57" wrote in message ... Regarding the CMOS reset: My understanding is that I have to remove the battery from the motherboard in order to reset the CMOS. The battery seems to be fixed quite securely to the motherboard and certainly not removable by hand. I have not tried using a screwdriver, but I will certainly try it sometime if the boot floppy will not work. Some CMOS batteries are soldered onto the systemboard (only God and Compaq know why). Should be jumper pins somewhere on the board, with a jumper in place, that controls the flow of current to the CMOS from the battery, and is also the connection point for an aux battery to attach to and power the CMOS when the onboard battery goes dead. Dale |
You could attach a 4.5 volt alkaline battery to take the place of
the dead systemboard battery. Compaq sold these batteries, which included the battery, a 3-wire connector and velcro strip to attach the battery to the systemboard. HH I purchased a few of these over the years and they ran me $25 total each.... Dale |
The wired on batteries were an alternetive not seen much outside of
Compaqs that I know of. I should have mentioned that the majority of my experience has been with non-Compaq machines. The lates and greatest battery solution is the socketed NiCAD or lithium battery. Actually when the change came to the socket, you could occasionally find a board that had the socket, but all documentation would still show the old soldered battery. Cost wise I have no idea. Also with the newer machines, the battery will last longer because the newer motherboards place less demand on them. What you have described may in fact explain battery history in many clones, but, unless I missed it, you haven't explained why Compaq did what they did over the past. It still remains a mystery that only God and Compaq understand. Dale |
"DEJ57" wrote in message ... You could attach a 4.5 volt alkaline battery to take the place of the dead systemboard battery. Compaq sold these batteries, which included the battery, a 3-wire connector and velcro strip to attach the battery to the systemboard. HH I purchased a few of these over the years and they ran me $25 total each.... Dale There was also a 4 AA battery pack (with the 3-wire connector), available in most electronics stores, for $3.95 (less AA cells). Then when the batteries died, you just replaced the AA cells. |
the old deskpros are cable select meaning you can leave the drives jumpered as
masters instead of specifying a slave drive, to be honest you should be able to throw on win98 and all the drivers except possibly the video driver will be there |
DEJ57 wrote:
The wired on batteries were an alternetive not seen much outside of Compaqs that I know of. I should have mentioned that the majority of my experience has been with non-Compaq machines. The lates and greatest battery solution is the socketed NiCAD or lithium battery. Actually when the change came to the socket, you could occasionally find a board that had the socket, but all documentation would still show the old soldered battery. Cost wise I have no idea. Also with the newer machines, the battery will last longer because the newer motherboards place less demand on them. What you have described may in fact explain battery history in many clones, but, unless I missed it, you haven't explained why Compaq did what they did over the past. It still remains a mystery that only God and Compaq understand. Dale God and Compaq also need to explain why they soldered the first 2MB of RAM onto a lot of motherboards in their circa 1993 - 1994 systems as well. Can't recall the specific model numbers but I cracked a few cases in the "pre Win 95" anticipation when people were looking to upgrade in advance of Win 95 being released. No memory in the SIMM sockets? Gee, that's strange... They did a lot of "unconventional" things. |
Actually, not so unique. A lot of DECs of that era (Pentium (I)s (60 to
120 Mhz)) had from 2 to 8 Mb of RAM on the board. If you added SIMM memory you could go as high as 128 Mb, but you had to disable the onboard memory. A small trick that caused a lot of grief for later upgraders who didn't know about the "Disable Onboard RAM" requirement. Not doing so mad for some very interesting errors. KC "Rick" wrote in message ... DEJ57 wrote: The wired on batteries were an alternetive not seen much outside of Compaqs that I know of. I should have mentioned that the majority of my experience has been with non-Compaq machines. The lates and greatest battery solution is the socketed NiCAD or lithium battery. Actually when the change came to the socket, you could occasionally find a board that had the socket, but all documentation would still show the old soldered battery. Cost wise I have no idea. Also with the newer machines, the battery will last longer because the newer motherboards place less demand on them. What you have described may in fact explain battery history in many clones, but, unless I missed it, you haven't explained why Compaq did what they did over the past. It still remains a mystery that only God and Compaq understand. Dale God and Compaq also need to explain why they soldered the first 2MB of RAM onto a lot of motherboards in their circa 1993 - 1994 systems as well. Can't recall the specific model numbers but I cracked a few cases in the "pre Win 95" anticipation when people were looking to upgrade in advance of Win 95 being released. No memory in the SIMM sockets? Gee, that's strange... They did a lot of "unconventional" things. |
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