MSdos compatability mode

[aharr]

I just bought an older laptop (compaq armada 1590dmt) and the first thing that I did was to format the hard drive and load windows 98.
I had problems on the first boot and through trail and error found that if I disabled the PCI IDE controller(changed the settings ni no IDE support) I could get windows to start. When I enabled it again windows froze on booting. Also all of my drives C, Part D, and CDROm are running in MSDOS compatability mode. The controller is a opti viper max dual pci ide controller.
My config.sys and autoexec.bat are 1 liners.
Has anybody got any ideas? I have looked on the Compaq web site but not had any luck.

[Train]

You can start here. http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/locate/4_892.html

Also are you sure it is not a 1500C model, because they have a link for that series also.

Just in case, I started here. http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/index.html
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[This message has been edited by Train (edited 03-24-2001).]

[Train]

Bump ^ ^ ^

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[aharr]

Thanks for your response, I had seen this webpage but was not sure on what driver to download. I just tried downloading the real mode support pack, but it made no difference.
The only way that I can start my laptop is with the IDE channels disabled.
Am I downloading the wrong driver?

[Train]

As you do not have the Compaq cd's or floppies , you will need to go thru and see which ones you have to have. I have not worked with any laptops , so can not help you there.
Compaq always rewrites drivers.

Boot to safe mode [hold F8 after turning on], you will boot to the start menu, arrow down to 3. Safe mode , and when you get there right click My Computer, select properties, System Manager tab.
You are looking for ? and ! marks in yellow highlight and red X's. May have to click + marks in front of the lines.

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[jtdoom]

Hi,
I think you made the simple mistake of launching windows setup immediately after format C:

after format C: you must REBOOT.
format locks a drive in dos mode.

DOS has an internal command called unlock, which may get it out.
from true dos type;
unlock C:


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If what I heard was free advice, would I take it? Jaak

[aharr]

Thanks for the advice, When I boot the laptop with the IDE channels disabled I get the exclamation mark beside the hard disk controller. When I boot in safe mode after enabling the channels I see the drives, and there is no exclamation mark.
I did not reboot the laptop after formatting the haed drive--didn't know that you were supposed to.
I looked on the opti web page and it says there that the standard drivers contained on the Windows 98 II should be fine (which is the version that I loaded.
Should I start again, reformat the hard drive and try to load windows again??

[Train]

Yes, Hate to say that. Without the reboot, all is for naught, As jt pointed out.
Did not think of that, darn, my bad http://discussions.virtualdr.com/redface.gif

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[This message has been edited by Train (edited 03-25-2001).]

[aharr]

Okay, I formatted the hard drive, rebooted and installed windows. I am no further ahead. The only way that I can load windows is with the IDE channels disabled with all of the drives in MSDOS compatability mode.
Any other ideas??

[Train]

Suggest reading this thread, because I am now over my head. Have you looked is bios reference the ide settings?? http://discussions.virtualdr.com/Forum2/HTML/035638.html

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[jtdoom]

Hi,
it's a laptop...
I should warn you about fdisk /mbr
it will rebuild master boot record, but it will also kill boot loaders or boot managers.

we see no final solution posted in that earlier thread.

you will need all the correct driver disks and utility disks to get this thing going.

if it had a restore cdrom with a cloned system on it (aka mirror setup), they's your best answer.

btw, how is this one fitted?
cdrom drive and floppy drive accessible at same time or in swap bay?

guess I am gonna have to look at these links.


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If what I heard was free advice, would I take it? Jaak

[jtdoom]

http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/

operating system windows 98
model 1590

how to install http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/download/8103.html
READ THIS FIRST - Windows 98 for Armada Portables http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/download/8104.html
Windows 98 Reference Addendum http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/download/8553.html

Computer Setup for Portables http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/download/8093.html


Compaq ActiveUpdate http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/download/9448.html

Creates the ROMpaq Firmware Upgrade Diskette http://www.compaq.com/support/files/notebooks/us/download/8076.html


http://www3.compaq.com/support/parts/

[aharr]

I found something... I seem to have an IRQ conflict for the controller. I am trying to troubleshoot. But the controller will not let me change it's preset IRQ setting.

[spqr]

Hi Aharr,

You won't be able to change the resources on your ide control'r.

You have to be certain that you have the proper drivers for that compaq laptop, Compaq's in general I have found are very picky about having the proper drivers. If you dont have the drivers, you may as well beat your head up against a wall. Sometimes the drivers are real hard to find on these big comp makers sites. Also, Compaq's faq's on this laptop, someone else may have had the same problem.
They ask for the Model# as well, usually it is located on the bottom or side and arouns the serial number.
Windows will think it has the proper drivers but it doesn't, it's just one of the things that make's compaq's so fun for there owner's.

It sounds more like a driver problem even though there is and irq conflict.
Hope this helps.
Give us the model number as well.

[aharr]

I am going to email compaq outlining the problems that I am having and see if they have any advice. I could not previously find a place on their website that you could email a question and had just been using their FAQ's to gain any insight. The model is a Armada 1590 DMT (P166, 32RAM, 2G HDD)
I will let you know if I find anything. Thanks for all your help so far.