Not sure at all here--Yikes!

greatlakesgal · Aug 31, 2004

Hi guys, I need some major help here!
I have a Compaq Presario XL300 laptop, with 600MHz processor and 64 MB ram--hard drive IS in there,but I think it's only like 4 GB. Anyway, when I turn it ON,it comes on with a black screen and Compaq red logo for about 2 seconds and then POOF! It goes off again, yet the ac adapter light ,of course stays on. It has a new battery in it that I tested in a different presario and it tested perfectly. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance for any help--I am very grateful for tech help beings I'm not that mechanically inclined! Perhaps this is a good thing that I don't play with electronic components too much...... ~~~Trish

Major Attitude · Aug 31, 2004

I do not remember which button does it, but you need to access the BIOS to see if the hard drive is being recognized. The keys vary, but try tapping f2, f10, f11 or f12 while it boots and it might let you access the BIOS. It will say entering setup or similar. If, under the hard drive, its not detecting, then your drive is shot. I am leary to go further with a Compaq because the older hard drives stored the BIOS on the hard drive, meaning if your hard drive is shot, you have big hassles ahead try to restore the BIOS. Let us know.

gw186 · Sep 1, 2004

I'm thinking it's f10 but not shure. And when the logo pops up try pressing ESC button that should get rid of it so you can see what may be hapening.

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Not sure at all here--Yikes!

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