Posted on 10/15/2004 6:59:06 AM PDT by dd5339
Ok all,
I've got a computer problem on a new to me Laptop, a Compaq Armada M700, PII 366.
It was working fine yesterday when I attempted to install Windows XP, unfortunately I only got 1/2 through it before the CD drive found a terminal scratch on my CD. The computer kept trying to go back to the CD install but could not get past the scratched CD. I opened the CD drive, removed the CD and attempted to shut the PC down. It kept asking for the XP disk and would not power down with the on/off button.
I eventually got the screen to shut down, (not sure if I put it into hibernation or what I did). I closed the case, put it away and didn't worry about it till last night.
Last night I tried to fire the computer up to finish the XP install, with my original disc. Now the computer won't even attempt to boot, the drive won't chatter, I get nothing on the screen. All I get is the lights for the num lock, the multibay drive light and the caplock keys, thats it. I can't even get into a bios setup or safe mode.
Does anyone have any ideas? Any help? Any suggestions? I'd really rather not use this PC for target practice.
Thanks and Semper Fi
Dang! But you all are a sarcastic bunch! Your making me laugh though so that is improving my mood which is a good thing......
__________________
Remove all power to your laptop
Unplug from wall
Remove battery
Try again after one hour
ALSO LOOK FOR a reset button in your owner's manual. Or consult the PDF download for your owner's manual if you didn't get one
RESET BUTTON may involve poking a penpoint ot other sharp object into a hole on side of the laptop
Many older laptops had this reset button. Cannot say for sure if yours does.
*guffaw*
I have, and when I killed it with the power strip, it wouldn't power back up.
How to reset your laptop --->>>
http://www.digit-life.com/articles/compaqarmadam700/
Three rules I live by.
1. Always hold down the off button till the computer shuts down.
2. Never buy a used laptop. Anything that goes wrong will cost more to fix than the laptop is worth. And it is a rare geek friend who can fix a laptop.
3. Buy a Mac. You will never have XP problems again.
I have.
Usually Macs. They didn't even let you eject a disk easily ages ago, except w/a paper clip wire.
But also 1 POS HP that did everything bad under the sun you can think of. IOW, it was never consistent in behavior, except giving being bad.
Yup, that's "intelligence".
Okay, here's what you should do. Gather up all the guns and ammo in the house, and send them to me.
Well, now I know that I reset it yesterday! Now how to get it back!
Semper Fi and Thanks!
I'd actually prefer the Solthurn but you can't be picky!
Semper Fi
ROFL
Laptops are a different animal.
I keep a paperclip to press the reset switch that is on the back of mine.
WOW!!
ROFL!
Do you have a DOS floppy?
Reformat the hard drive and start over.
You need to replace the bad CD, unplug the battery, wait long enough for any transient juice to clear (15 mins - 1/2 hour), re-assemble the whole thing. Don't mess with the disk drive -- that should have a partition where the System info is (used to be ROM BIOS, but not these days)
Or just take the who thing to the seller -- was this new, retail?
I took the computer into the repair place in town.
Diagnosis, dead.
They think the system board had given up the ghost.
Was real happy to hear that, mind you I didn't spend a lot of money on the computer, but still more than I wanted to waste like that.
Semper Fi
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