CPQ Deskpro 6000 1

[fenix]

How do I get into the BIOS/CMOS setup up screen on this computer. I tried f10 and also delete after the RAM count ends at various times. (Do I need an OS loaded to access this screen ? I just fdisked the Adaptec SCSI hard drive,
set the active partition C, and formatted it.) When is the correct time to use the 'hot key' to get into the BIOS ?

 

[Shad007]

You won't be able to access the diagnostic partition if it isn't there. To further explain..when you use a compaq restore cd on the pc it installs a small partition at the beginning of your drive..this is the diagnostic partition which can be accessed via F10 at bootup. If the option of F10 is not present that means the partition isn't there...which also means you will have to obtain the Deskpro diagnostic bootdisk for that model. Visit the compaq site to see if they have more info on this... (either that or do a restore job using the proper cd's on the pc which means you will lose all data).

Hope this info is of use...

 

[fenix]

I'm not sure my question was understood--or your answer. I am trying to get into the ROM PCI/ISA BIOS screen, (usually blue) which has the CMOS setup utility settings that include, 'standard CMOS setup', BIOS features setup, pnp/pci config, password settings, etc., NOT a diagnostic partition, which I'm not sure what that means.
My theory is that since it is BIOS info, it is not dependent on any operating system to be displayed, but is read from the RAM held by the CMOS battery. To restate questions, #1- which key or keys do you press to get into the BIOS setup screen on a Compaq Deskpro 6000,(if it is possible to do right after fdisking and formatting the C drive), with no OS installed), and #2, when do you press the keys? thx for the reply.

 

[Shad007]

It is as I have mentioned..there is no bios as such...that particular model is set up via a diagnostics partition on the hard drive. (i guess it was a marketing venture to save on rom bios chips??)..in any case..the partition will hold all the bios info you are after....(once you have the diagnostic partition on the hdd you will then see the F10 option on the bootup screen)..

 

[fenix]

thank you, now I understand. I never knew BIOS was stored like that. Not having the proper restore disk from Compaq is probably why I had trouble installing the standard Win98 OS from CD-ROM after I reformatted. I suspect this computer was designed for mainly networking. It had 95 and NT on it before the NTFS was accidentally deleted. Hasn';t been the same since. Lots of files were missing, (.drv,.dll, .vxd.) and a full DOS looking screen at the end of startup that said I was missing vnetbios.vdx. I did suspect that this model had a special 'network bios', which seems related to the diagnostic partition information given.
Can you tell me what function the rectangular 4.5 V external battery with a red and black wire that attaches to the MB serves ?? And also, do you have to solder the round 3V lithium battery,(CMOS ?) back on when you change it? It seems rivited to the thin metal attachment that houses it. Thx.

 

[Shad007]

The deskpro6000 has both internal (on-board) and external battery supplied (backup I would assume)..here are some settings that may be useful to you: Jumper E50 pin 1-2 Internal (on-board) battery jumper, pin 2-3 External battery jumper, 5-6 Clear CMOS (A/C must also be removed), 9-12 External battery header.

As you can see you can only have either the internal or external battery on at one time...