get in bios on a compaq laptop

irratic said:

can anyone tell me how do you get in the bios on a compaq laptop???the thing will only boot to 98 start up then locks, was going put a fresh install on it but can't get it to do anything...

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Compaq - older models F10, newer models F1

Press it like mad before POST.

cheers mate,tried them,no joy..but another screen has come up
162-system options not set
the followoeing configuration options were automatically updated:
disk1 type65
CMOS checksum invalid, default values loaded
f1 save changes
f2 ignore changes

any ideas????

try pressing DEL if not F2
F8 will take you to safe mode ect ect

Try the compaq/HP site and download the latest bios for your laptop, this will enable you to boot from floppy upgrade your bios and reset same. There is alot of information on there site manuals etc I believe it is HP/COMPAQ. My old compaq was f10 so try ctrl on boot up press same time as del worth a try, however the site is an opportunity to upgrade your bios at same time. I have also tried running along all f keys like a piano pressing immediately on boot up.

Am I right by saying some Compaq's lock the BIOS?

If thats the case ur stuffed....

If you tell us the Compaq model number we will be able to look it up for you

i think that most pcs / laptops that are bought lock most parts of the bios dumb if you ask me but hey nm

its a compaq armada 1530d i believe its a notepad.. ive not got a 98 startup floppy, but i have a 98 cd... the memory isn't big enough to take xp...its useless really but i have a purpose for it if i can get an operating system to run on it..now if i boot up holding the control key down i get 6 options.. the trouble is they're in french or something and i cant remember what the options actualy are...
1. normale
2. con file registrp
3. modalita provvisoria
4.conferma passo-passo
5.prompt dei comandi con supporto di rete
6. prompt dei comandi in modalita provvisoria

any ideas?? can i run the cd rom from one of these command prompts

Is There Any Way I Can Get Into This Things Bios???? Been On The Compaq Site, Not Much Help... It Wont Boot From Floppy No Matter What You Put In It..just Says Remove Disk.... It Will Boot From An Xp Disk But Stops Befor I Can Format The Drive As There Isn't Enough Ram In It... Any Suggestions???

This laptops bios might be reached by removing memory, only if there are two strips obviously need one to boot, remove one, bios will want to reconfigure and advise on screen, this might work as well if you remove hard drive temporarily once again bios will want you to press an f key. Worth a try just to enable bios screen

sounds like resetting the bios would be a good option here this can be done in many ways normally you just remove the cmos battery for around 30 mins then replace there are also sometimes jumpers that can be moved and replaced but i think you said its a laptop right so iam not sure that you could do it that way

still cant put an operating system on.. removed the cmos for 12 hours, and the hard drive and the memory stick.. and the battery.. cmos did reset to factory default... still no joy.. if i put a 98 startup disk in ,it says invalid disk.. if i let it run threw it get to the windows logo and just ticks... if i put an ms dos disk in done in xp it will boot to a prompt but then what??? it wont do anything . cant find a bios update on the site, it looks like its one for the bin unless anyone has any other ideas i can try

so what was done to this before it started acting up ?