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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
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