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Help booting old Compaq desktop

Tags:
  • Desktops
  • Boot
  • Compaq
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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September 20, 2013 11:22:58 PM

I have a very old Compaq Desktop that I'm trying to use it doesnt have an OS installed and I believe there is an issue with the hard drive all i know about this machine is that it runs a pentium 4 processor at 1.70ghz and i havent learned much more yet. The bios is ambios hiflex setup utlility version 1.54 and when i boot it it says to insert a boot device and i inserted a disc containing puppy linux that i want to install on it and it says to hit next key when i do is says boot error please insert diskette in drive A
I dont know what to do and this computer does have sticker with the product key on it for windows xp so i can try that but i need to get past this boot issue
this computer is probably a 2001 or so computer it has a floppy drive
Compaq D3v/p17/20/k/128c

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September 21, 2013 12:04:44 AM

first you have to go into the bios and set your cd drive as first boot device.then insert the xp cd into the drive and reboot.should be pretty straightforward from there.
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September 21, 2013 11:39:03 AM

aldan said:
first you have to go into the bios and set your cd drive as first boot device.then insert the xp cd into the drive and reboot.should be pretty straightforward from there.


I have done that and still nothing it gives the same error message I have a CD R with Puppy linux on it and i hear the drive reading it but the computer cant use it. I hope I dont have to make a floppy for this to work
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September 21, 2013 2:17:22 PM

have you tried it with the xp cd?
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September 21, 2013 2:46:23 PM

Head to BIOS and change the hard drive to IDE mode .

Unsure exactly how that bios is configured so I cant help more but it looks like the board is looking for a SATA driver
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