Need BIGTIME Computer HELP!!

[KoRn]

From DSL(Damn Small Linux)I tried booting with various options, and run levels and the system will just hang at the same place rather than reboot. The odd thing about that is DSL runs from the CDROM, and doesn't utilize the hard disk as far as I know.

I'm just wondering what they could have possibly changed in the BIOS with that update that would cause Linux do such a thing.

[LTCJ]

From what I've read, I'd have to concur with spunkets. I think the flash hosed your disk geometry and invalidated LILO as a result. So, you couldn't get to Linux from the original LILO. Reformatting wiped Linux as well as Windows so you must now reinstall both. It's not only what you do - it's the order in which you do them that counts. You probably would have been OK it you had gotten LILO back up. Too late now, though :^(

BTW, if you have an option I'd recommend going with GRUB over LILO.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I think the most important question needs to be asked, and it seems it's been overlooked. Why the heck were you upgrading your BIOS? You're lucky it didn't turn your computer into a gigantic paperweight or oversized doorstop. If your BIOS was working fine, then you shouldn't upgrade it, unless the BIOS is so old it won't read hard drives larger than a certain size. If you were seeing BIOS errors before the upgrade, then yes, I would upgrade, but if the computer was working fine to begin with, there's no need to take the biggest risk.

[KoRn]

I was having some issues with my CDROM. Checked the Compaq website for any Drivers whey may have, and saw the BIOS update there that was said to resolve some known issues with the CDROM, so I gave it a try.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I take it this is a brand new computer? Under warranty? If so, you voided the warranty by flashing the BIOS.

[KoRn]

LOL the first thing I do to every computer is void the warranty in one way or the other. :)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

If you are going to build your own, might check out Gigabyte Moboards with their dual bios chips...a little added security so that a bad bios flash doesn't leave you high and dry....

and check out a KVM switch so that Monitor , keyboard, and Mouse can be shared between two systems...I use the Linux system for access to the internet and the XP Windows for all the other stuff that everyone loves to do with Windows, but keep it off of the internet....

[BigSkyFreeper]

LOL. I'm also guilty of voiding the warranty. I ended up voiding the warranty on a power supply on a computer a few years ago. It still had 3 months left in the one year warranty, the PS crapped out on me, and I ended up opening the case and replaced a resistor on the board. Turns out, it was a lazy solder job and the resistor that was on the board shorted out. Luckily the fuse in there saved the whole PS and computer from complete ruin. Replaced the fuse while I had the case open. After I did the benchwork, patched everything up, put it back into the computer case, and it's been working great ever since. I knew there was a problem when the computer would turn on, if only for a second, then shut off. Turns out, the PS was storing energy and turning the computer on exhausted the stored energy.

[KoRn]

If you really read the warranty and look at what they have in those vast paragraphs, you almost can't use the computer without voiding the warranty. It's full of loopholes and rules that is big time CYA for them. Who can blame them though when you have millions of John Edwards running around. They also use it to be able to refuse to help you for virtually any reason.

[Recall]

I'm thinking as hard as I can and all I come up with is turn the computer off and shake it real hard.

I wish I could help. The spirit is willing but the brain is weak.

Fingers crossed.

[KoRn]

I tried the shaking idea, that didn't seem to help. I also tried the 'press power button really hard while making an angry face at it trick'. That didn't help either.

The problem really is bizarre though. I did learn, however, NEVER flash the BIOS unless you absolutely have to!! I'm gonna keep trying, and get it working. When it comes to computers I never give up.

The motto in my IT Department is: NEVER LET THE MACHINE WIN!!

[BigSkyFreeper]

Oh no doubt. Rush Limbaugh was talking about that a few weeks ago. He used the owners manual of his car as an example. He said you couldn't turn a page without seeing some sort of warning written somewhere on the page.

[Recall]

I thought for sure shaking it would work.

Let's see if I got it right..

You flashed your bios
Now it goes to Windows but you don't get the option to go
to Linux
You tried reinstalling Linux and other little Linux boot programs that don't work
Your CD drive doesn't work

I don't suppose one of those "turn back or recovery" programs would work either would they?

And playing with the registry wouldn't help would it?

I'm just throwing things out hoping light will come on
over your head (do you see it?)

I'll leave you alone now.

[amigatec]

Their was an issue with Mandrake 9.2 and LG CDROMS. It seems that LG used some reserved commands normally used for CDRW drives and when a user installed Mandrake 9.2 it would erase the BIOS in the CDROM. It believe it was the 'flush' command to flush the cache in the drive instead, it flushed the BIOS.

Only certain drives were affected, I happen to have one and flashed the drive BIOS before installing Mandrake.

It is possible that Compaq or the CDROM manufacturer has done something like this or maybe Mandrake has found another improper use of a command.

You might contact Mandrake and see if this is a known problem, since 10.1 has just been released.

(I am downloading 10.1 as I type this.)