[SOLVED] Can't get into BIOS of old HP compaq computer

Gregg Bell · 04-10-2016, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardvark71

Hi Gregg...

Along with what rokytnji mentioned, check the BIOS again to see if the boot order is being saved. If so, try changing the boot order to the CD/DVD-ROM drive (if this system has one) and see if you can boot from a CD/DVD that you know works and see what happens.

Regards...

Hey ardvark. the boot order was being saved. I changed the boot order to what you said, put in a CD I knew worked before and lo and behold it worked! (Shocking me.) So what's the moral of the story--only install CDs on really old computers? Maybe this computer just doesn't recognize USB flash drives.

I decided to leave the XP and install the Bodhi alongside it. That way I should at least be able to get into Bodhi and then if I want I can get rid of the XP.

Thanks. This one was getting really frustrating.

Gregg Bell · 04-10-2016, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teufel

It shown here:

http://www.wimware.com/how-to/boot-from-usb.html

Thanks Teufel. It's up and running (See post #31) but I still may be able to use your advice and the link if I boot from a USB flash drive. (It was booted off a CD.)

Gregg Bell · 04-10-2016, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachboy2

Gregg,

I second rokytnji's advice to change the CR2032 "button" battery.

First change the date and time to current, then look through all the settings and change them as Teufel suggested, not forgetting to enable the keyboard (PS/2 to USB).

Thanks beachboy2. It's running. (See post #31)

Gregg Bell · 04-10-2016, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

I think it's Advanced Options then something like "hard drive boot order". The USB drive appears as a hard drive not as a USB device so has to be put first in the hard drive boot order. That was how my machine with similar BIOS worked anyhow.

Thanks 273. I ran into that too. Tricky little buggers, those old computers. Appreciate it. And it got running. (see post #31)

ferrari · 04-10-2016, 05:38 PM

So, the boot order changes were being made, but you were trying to boot from a USB flash drive and the BIOS is too old to support that. I'm not surprised about this at all. Another common trick for installing ISOs, is to download to a directory and mount as a loop device.

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/how-to...der-linux.html

ardvark71 · 04-10-2016, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Hey ardvark. the boot order was being saved. I changed the boot order to what you said, put in a CD I knew worked before and lo and behold it worked! (Shocking me.) So what's the moral of the story--only install CDs on really old computers? Maybe this computer just doesn't recognize USB flash drives.

Thanks. This one was getting really frustrating.

You're welcome, glad you got it to work!

Yes, older systems didn't come with the ability to boot from a USB stick but I'm not sure what was going on in your case. It may be exactly what ferrari said, the BIOS was too old to support that feature.

Regards...

Gregg Bell · 04-10-2016, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari

So, the boot order changes were being made, but you were trying to boot from a USB flash drive and the BIOS is too old to support that. I'm not surprised about this at all. Another common trick for installing ISOs, is to download to a directory and mount as a loop device.

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/how-to...der-linux.html

Very interesting. Thanks.

Gregg Bell · 04-10-2016, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardvark71

You're welcome, glad you got it to work!

Yes, older systems didn't come with the ability to boot from a USB stick but I'm not sure what was going on in your case. It may be exactly what ferrari said, the BIOS was too old to support that feature.

Regards...

Yeah, it was weird because the AMBIOS said "USB Flash Device" so it APPEARED to be recognized. Huh. Alls well that ends well.

ondoho · 04-11-2016, 01:05 AM

please disregard.
i missed a whole page of replies...