Compaq Deskpro 2000 BIOS

[bubbles99]

Hi. I just wandering if anyone knew haw to get into the BIOS on a Compaq Deskpro 2000 PC to boot from CD. I've tried all the combinations I can think of. Also what time do you push the buttons? :confused:
Any help appreciated.

[bubbles99]

seems like no one knows the answer at the moment...

[cascade9]

It should be F10.

As for the timing, that can be tricky. I generally just keep hitting F10 about once a second from when I hit the power till it boots, or it goes into the BIOS setup.

[garvinrick4]

All BIOS about the same. Some times f2 or f10 just do what it says when you are
booting up. When in BIOS use arrows to go up and down enter to open the shaded
selection. Put CD in first boot position then look at bottom of screen to see what to hit
to save selection and quit.

You only have 2 or 3 seconds to press key to get into BIOS so keep an eye on screen.

If you get confused just get out of there until someone you know can help you.

Just change boot from hard disk to CD first and leave rest alone. Sometimes older machine will
also have a floppy boot selection also. Just ingnore.

[bubbles99]

thx everyone, but there is no indication of WHEN to press f10 or at anything when u boot up. first it tells me about the installed RAM (not BIOS) then the scren only has a flashing underscore. shud i push it then maybe? also different question: how do u change ur profile picture?

[turbostd]

Wow a deskpro 2000, I used to have a few of those years ago! Unless the reused the model name that computer should be of pentuim 1 vintage correct? I cant remember exactly how to get into the bios but i think it was an odd button. I do however having one that didn't support booting from cd at all though so you may need to start it from a floppy if that is even still possible. I hope you are not trying to install a newer version of ubuntu on that machine as if it is as old as i think it is it will run but be verrry sllooowww.

[bubbles99]

no, im going to install Puppy Linux 4.3.1 which can boot from floppy.

[bubbles99]

i just need to know how to get into the BIOS

[turbostd]

ahh yes well in that case it would be best to use a floppy. I am trying to remember how to get in the bios on those but it has been so long. I do know that the deskpro 2000 line covered a wide array of models. I remember having 3 different ones and they where all different speeds from 133mhz to a 233mmx I am pretty sure the later models could boot from cd but the older ones could not.

[turbostd]

ack i hate replying to myself but i just remembered something. On those Compaqs and most of the older ones the bios setup program was on the hard drive and not on the bios flash itself 0-o You need to go to Compaqs download page and see if you can get a "setup disk" for your model. Some of the older hardware is so alien from modern pcs.

[bubbles99]

FIXED FIXED FIXED!!!!!!!! spent 4 days on this, and it was so simple! all i did was put the CD in the drive when windows was booted, restarted the system and it booted from CD automatically.
thanks again everyone, but seems the answer was easier than expected!