Compuq booting problem.

[Kuasimodem]

OK, I must have the partition installed now, I can now access the bios functions with F10, but it still has the problem with hanging on boot unless the CMOS has been cleared.

Have you tried setting it to "Default" settings?

Does it always hang at the same place?

Does it give you any errors about the system BIOS during bootup?

[Kuasimodem]

Yep, same place every time.

It flashes the video chip information at the top of the screen when it starts, then the Compuq splash screen comes up, after about 15 seconds the hard drive light goes out and it just sits there doing nothing. I've even left it sit for 30 minutes (until standby mode kicks in), and it still won't boot.

No warning beeps or error messages show up at all. If I switch the power off, clear CMOS, and then switch power back on, it boots up just fine.

Are there any "Power Saving" settings? I'd disable all of them.

Do you have an inexpensive PCI vid card to try in it?

[Kuasimodem]

The default setting for the power is standby mode @ 30 minutes, every time you clear the bios that's what it's set to.

My next step might be swapping out the hard drive, since it seems like when it restarts the hard drive won't spin back up (and yes, you can tell when a Big-n-slowfoot spins up). I might also start swapping drive cables to see if I have a weak cable causing weird stuff.

BTW - This has to be the most cramped case that I have ever had to work on!

As old as it is, it could be so MANY things.

Power Supply may be failing...
RAM...
Video...

You have your work cut out for you.

[Kuasimodem]

Just because it's an antique (computer wise) doesn't mean I can't get it working great again (at least great for a Compuq).

Guess it's rip-n-tear time

PS - Have you ever seen a case where you have open the motherboard tray to unplug a drive cable, or change a RAM module?

Compaq 5220.

[Kuasimodem]

It was a screw!!!

Yep, one of the motherboard mounting screws had come out and lodged between two components. I took the screw out and now it boots up just fine, no need to clear CMOS

I also noticed 2 other motherboard screws were completely missing, so I replaced those with some of my stock.

Right now I'm installing Win98se on it, as soon as the formatting gets done.

I figured that's probably what it was.