Compaq 8712 Recovery CDs

[bill at horne.net (Bill Horne)]

Ed Frankenberry wrote:

> Hi Bill,
> Looks like there's an updated BIOS that you could install (download
> it from another PC and write it to a floppy, then boot the presario
> from the floppy).  Not sure whether this will help, but you might
> want to give the BIOS update a try.  Apparently, you can use the
> F5 function key to reset the configuration:
>     good luck,
>     Ed
>
>
> If a 251 or CMOS Checksum error occurs after installing the BIOS 
> update, perform the following steps:
>
>    1.  Restart the PC and enter the BIOS screen by pressing the F1 or 
> F10 key at the first screen.
>    2.  Press the F5 key to load the default BIOS configuration.
>    3.  Select YES by using the arrow keys, and then press Enter.
>    4.  Press the F10 key to save the settings and exit.
>    5.  Select YES by using the arrow keys, and then press Enter.
>
>
>> Thanks for the suggestion: unfortunately, it appears that Compaq's 
>> BIOS setup program is stored in a hidden partition on the disk drive 
>> when it's shipped: since the drive was wiped by the previous owner, I 
>> can't access it.
>>
>> I'm able to _boot_ into a floppy, but the BIOS won't recognize the 
>> (presumably correct) origininal geometry of the HD. Instead, it says 
>> that it has detected a "Type 65" drive, but it won't boot from it 
>> because that's not the same CHS info that the original drive was 
>> formatted with!
>>
>> Of course, I can flatten it and start again, but I don't want to 
>> reinvent the wheel if I don't have to.
>
>
>
Ed,

Thanks for your note. I decided to give up on getting the machine into 
"Original" condition, and just used floppies to load Debian on it: 
although the disk geometry isn't being read "correctly", it's close 
enough for my purposes.

Of course, if you have a set of recovery CDs for the 8702 (yes, that's 
<finally> the correct model number), then feel free ;-).

Thanks again.

Bill Horne