Hello Everyone,

I've seen this quite a few times now with compaqs, I'm really just wondering as to why it happens.
The desktops I'm working with wont allow any new operating systems to be installed, only re-install
Windows. When Windows does install it hangs on loading, also XP will not upgrade to 7. I'm curious
as to if it is a hidden partition contain specifics for the original OEM copy to run only, or if it
has something to do with HP and a custom BIOS chip. I understand this is a linux forum, I'm wondering
why I can't install ANY distros. Also DBAN will not work either.

I worked on a HP about a year ago that came with four primary partitions, on a 750 gig HD. So, I could not do anything with without deleting a partition, creating a extended partition, and working in there.

I got a copy of Parted Magic, its a live linux distro, burned it to a CD, booted and saw what HP had done.

I used Clonezilla to make a copy of the one partition I decided to delete. I shrank the huge 'C' windoze 7 drive, created a extended partition, in there i created a partition to put the deleted partition back, and had room left to do as I chose.

My message, get a copy of Parted Magic, or any other live distro with a partitioning tool. Look to see what is there. I suspect there will be a hidden partition, there was on the HP I worked on, and 3 visible partitions; all primary. 4 primary partitions is maxed out.