[bamakodaker]

WOW - I heard back from Symantec! They even had a link to my exact problem! I think??

Computer stops at a blinking white cursor during start up after installing GoBack on a computer with a Phoenix BIOS
http://service1.syma...src=con_ols_nam

Now on a hard drive that I can NOT access - how do I determine if it has PHOENIX BIOS? The link/page says NOT to use the method if you do NOT have Phoenix BIOS!

Any help here?

bamakodaker

[Advertisements]

Hi bamakodaker, glad your problem is resolved now

I PMed you back regarding the bios. If you can't get into the bios setup at all, then look inside your computer's motherboard to see if it specifies it somewhere.

[greyknight17]

Hi bamakodaker, glad your problem is resolved now

I PMed you back regarding the bios. If you can't get into the bios setup at all, then look inside your computer's motherboard to see if it specifies it somewhere.

[bamakodaker]

Well, let's not say the issue is resolved just yet!

As far as the mother board, after removing the heat sink, I read -
AMD-K6[SIZE=7]™[SIZE=1] 2[SIZE=7]
AMD - 6 - 2/350 AMDR
2.2V CORE/3.3V IO
A 9837 BPRW
1998 AMD

behind the metal I can see something darker (plastic), in the corners I read -
Z47426
350 MHz
25060
K

I've looked all around and see nothing that has AMI or Phoenix on it. Yes, I looked closely at ALL the little black chips. Any suggestion?

bamakodaker

[greyknight17]

Hmm. It might be Award BIOS. Do you have more specs on the motherboard (exact model maybe near the edge of the board will show it)?

I bet it's showing right there (what you posted above), but I don't understand it See if anyone else can read it and determine what BIOS it is. If not, it might be harder to see what it is. It might also be behind the motherboard which can be a pain to read since you probably have to take out the whole motherboard (but detach everything in there first to make room). Not sure if you want to do this.

[bamakodaker]

At startup I can hit F10 and get to Computer Setup page. I don't see how to find BIOS setting information there. If I can get to it with F10, would one of my startup or diagnostic floppies help me?
bamakodaker

[greyknight17]

If you can get into setup/BIOS, you should be able to locate the BIOS name and version in there. Use your arrow keys to look around. I'm sure it's in there somewhere. You just have to look for it. It's different depending on what BIOS you have. When you are done, just hit the Esc key and use your arrow keys to say exit and discard changes so you don't save anything.

[bamakodaker]

I believe I have looked around on Computer Setup but do NOT see anything about BIOS. Is there a different "page" that is the BIOS Setup? I've tried F2, ESC and other F keys. Only F10 yeilds results and that is the Computer Setup page.

bamakodaker

[greyknight17]

Is the color very limited in that setup page? That should be the bios/setup page. Did you use your arrow keys to navigate around the tabs in there?

When you startup your computer, it just says hit F10 to enter setup right? That should be it then if there's nothing else displayed on the screen.

[bamakodaker]

The top and bottom is blue of the first page is blue.
At top it reads - Computer Setup. 686A1 08/05/99.
The tabs and their listings are:
System - PCI Bus Master Enabled, System POST Fast, Power management Enabled, Power on password, Setup password, Alternative memory reporting Disabled, System inactivity timeout 30 minutes.
Communications - Parallel port mode: Bidirectional, Onboard LAN: Enabled
Storage - Diskette drive A: 1.44 MB or 120 MB (3.5 inch), Diskette drive B: not installed, Select Operating System Type: DOS only of DOS and Windows, Enhanced IDE transfers Enabled, Ultra 33 enabled, Primary IDE Contorller Enabled, Secondary IDE Controller Enabled
Input Devices - USB legacy keyboard support Disabled
Multimedia - PCI VGA Snoop Disabled, Compaq multimedia monitor Auto-detection, Onboard monochrome video mode support Enabled
Exit

I received 3 responses from Compaq. The first seemed very informed, the next less informed, the last was just someone who read a computer response - didn't really know anything. The last one said HD is dead, give up.

Any thoughts?
bamakodaker

[greyknight17]

OK, mind was in somewhere else. I searched and searched only to be where we are again...back here I think you should have the Compaq BIOS I looked all over and can't find much information. I would say it's either the Compaq BIOS or the ASUS BIOS since it's usually the manufacturer of the motherboard.

I suggest trying out those steps anyway. If it's not Phoenix BIOS, I doubt you'll get past step two (see below):

# Select BIOS Feature Set Up, and then press Enter.
# Select the value listed to the right of PhoenixNetInstallation.

[bamakodaker]

I greatly appreciate you sticking with me on this. I'm still confused. You keep saying BIOS setup but I only see Computer Setup. I see nothing within this setup that says BIOS. The bottom of the screen has directions for - select menu, select item, change values and select.

I have read some people saying THE key to use to get to BIOS setup is shown on screen at startup. I never see it. The first screen shows COMPAQ, briefly there is a blinking cursor at upper left, then it goes to upper right for a longer period of time. If I do nothing the screen goes blank except for the cursor blinking at upper left. IF I hit any key while that [U]first]/U] blinking cursor is at upper left then I'll get a line about keyboard error. Otherwise if I tap the F10 while the cursor is at upper right I get to the Computer Setup window.

As always I appreciate your time and suggestions.
bamakodaker

[bamakodaker]

I'm sorry - I did get word that I have Compaq BIOS. What I can't determine is if they just renamed it (just to have their name on it) but it really is Phoenix BIOS!?

And no - I can't even get to the first step as I have not discovered how to access the BIOS setup.

Much thanks again,
bamakodaker

[greyknight17]

OK, there are many ways to do this. You might want to give them all a try since you said it doesn't mention it. Most PCs that I worked with call the BIOS, setup instead. Don't ask me, I don't know why That's why I kept mentioning the BIOS

Go to this site and try out those combinations to see if they can get you into the BIOS.

[shard92]

If it's a compaq then you more than likely hit f10 and from what you said you did that. That brings you into computer setup that is your bios. Compaq typically have very limited bios and sometimes you have to use a setup or diagnostic disk from compaq to do much of anything there.

[bamakodaker]

Just so you know where I went with this - I gave up, installed a new HD and am bogged down getting it all setup. Sometime I hope to find time to get back to the problems of the old HD - I hope!

bamakodaker