please help on my laptop

[rance_12]

can anyone please help me what i need to do with this?

im trying to format and install win 98, but i want it to have 2 partition. but the problem is after i create partition, the setup wont continue and it says that i have an existing operating system that is similar to the one i'm trying to install. so i have to format it again by typing format c: on the dos command. so the formatting is ok.. but then after that, there will be a question prompted "Volume ID Label (ENTER for None?)".. when i try to click Enter, there's a message "Systeam halted..." then it hangs... i don't know what to do with this...

i try to install xp instead of 98. so there's a message that press any key to boot from CD.. when i press enter, it's just a black screen. i've waited for minutes but nothing happened. so when i restart it and try not to press any key.. there's a message that boot failure.. (because it's already formatted)

my question is what supposed to be the problem why this give me a black screen when i try to install XP? My laptop is a Compaq.

Please help... appreciate any response...

[bailey]

you probly have the hidden partition for the bios thing still on there, and what you need to do probly is to use the recover cd to put it back to the store bought condition, and go fom there.

it will not have any of the drivers installed for the hardware to work, like booting from the cd.

[rance_12]

is there any way to see if i have that hidden partition? actually this laptop is not really mine. it was just asked to be repair but unfortunately, i don't encounter this problem in pc so i don't have any idea bout this problem.. what cd do you mean? recovery cd of what?

[bailey]

all laptops come with a recover cd that will contain all the drivers and software needed to to put it back into the condition it was in when new, as far as the hidden partition is concerned, I have no idea how that is done.

[rance_12]

i tried to install 98 again instead of xp and the cdrom can read the cd. i tried to use fdisk and remove all partition then create new.. setup windows was almost there but while setting up, error message appear again can't continue setup. i dont know why it happens. i know for sure that i already formatted the c: drive. i think it's already consider as a hardware problem..

[GeorgesPC]

Originally posted by rance_12
My laptop is a Compaq.

Therein lies your problem. This thing has it's own OEM hardware set-up. Some have been known to have hidden partitions on the hard drive that hold the BIOS information and other neat OEM tricks to force people to go to a "Compaq Certified Technician", whatever that might be.

What is the model number?
Any additional things installed?

Have you checked to see if there is a BIOS udpate at Compaq/HP?