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