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COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

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The Subject: A Client’s Compaq Presario 5WV271 Internet Desktop (tower) PC

The Problem: It refuses to be repaired! It is a Windows Millennium Setup that was locking up constantly (BSOD, various 0028:xxxxxxxx errors). Tried re-installing Millennium, which seemed to work until it was time to load the “Softpaq” driver programs. It refuses to see the modem, the multi-function keyboard extension driver, the Adaptec EZ-CD creator 4 software, and the Logitech web-cam.

Already attempted…:
Replaced RAM (marked improvement, went from 64MB to 128MB)
Reformatted the 40GB HDD (several times, including full surface scans)
Using Compaq Recovery CD (does not work! They try to make you buy their restore cd, would that make them the ONLY companyNOT to include these in the box?)
Re-Installed millennium over and over ad-nauseumSomebody at compaq must be cutting costs, because there was almost no silicon heat transfer compound between the AMD 900MHz processor and the heat sink, and it was not centered over the cpu. (added the proper amount in the proper location)

I have made the strong suggestion to the client to purchase another brand of PC, but this one isn’t quite 9 months old, So I need a workaround.. anyone out there have any Ideas????

Topic

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

If your having some many problems an dit is less than a year old, why not send it back to Compaq and have them fix it since the usualk is a 1 year warrenty. Or since you have now open the box up you have broken the warrenty. What about sending it toa certified compaq repair house, Please don’t take that the wrong way, but maybe they have some hidden fixes that they don’t want to let any one know about, like replace the insides with all new equipment. 😉

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

Not taking it the wrong way, But having compaq fix it is a joke, they toy with it until the warranty runs out ,then want to charge you. The last Compaq I worked on was out of warranty with a $750 repair estimate from the service center, It took me like 5 minutes to realise that the CPU was not seated properly in the ZIF socket ,that machine is still running today, and it was a friend’s so i didn’t charge him anything (I wouldn’t feel right charging for something like that anyway) End result, he saved $750.00 plus shipping.
Client is going to order their recovery CDs, and if they fail, he’s getting a refund and a Gateway.
Also, I am seriously considering refusing repairs on Compaqs with Windows ME, since my repair business is only a secondary “hobby” anyway.

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

There are alot of problems with Millennium ed. MS is trying to stop supporting already. If the person really wants a newer O/S us 2000 or xp it has alot more support and drivers. But if it was me I would install redhat 7. what ever it is great and installs from the cd and looks like windows. But thats me:)

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

I like LINUX too, the proprietary nature of this compaq machine seems to defy all logic. They have a restore CD that wasn’t included with the PC. A compaq tech support tech said it may be the only way to get the functionality of ALL of the hardware back (Can’t even load the modem to update on the web, had to use CD_RW to even try Softpaqs).
BTW Redhat 7 is an excellent product, but for ease and power, check out Mandrake 8.1, that is the closest thing to a Windows-like Install I have ever seen.

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

I had a very similar problem on Compaq Deskpro EN after having a hard drive crash. The recovery CD was useless, and I was installing NT 4.0.

I reformatted the hard drive and installed the OS from regular installation disk (not the Compaq supplied version). The OS will not detect many of the built controllers (NIC, graphics, etc.) until you install the Softpaqs, but you can’t install the Softpaqs until you get an OS loaded. This was especially tricky in my case since it wouldn’t recognize the NIC, and I needed the NIC to access the Internet to download the Softpaqs.

Also, check to see if a BIOS update is available for the machine.

It’s a long, ugly process, but it can be done.

Good Luck!

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

Already tried the BIOS update, I got all the available Softpaqs off of their website on my PC, and burned them to a CD-RW, sound and video work, but keyboard, modem, NIC, and cd-burning software do not.

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

install W98 second edition, worked for me.

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

ME went in fine, it just won’t see the proprietary hardware, and half of the Softpaqs don’t work.

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

What i would do send it back under wty. if that is not a choice load win2k pro on it. Good luck!

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

Client could have done that, I suppose. He called them, they wanted to sell him the recovery CDs. If they didn’t work they said THEN send it back.
2K pro is much more stable than ME, but even 2Kpro won’t detect that modem or NIC, they are just an example of evil corporate proprietary hardware “solutions”.

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

Reformatting will not clear some viruses.
Zero Fill the Hard Drive.
The idea of setting up the PC with Win98SE, then upgrading to WinME is sometimes necessary.
Leave the Webcam disconnected on the initial install, then do an Add New Hardware.
Regards, Chris

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

In reply to COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

Already did the Zero, One ,Zero “government wipe” on the drive AND replaced the FlashBIOS.
I do not believe there is ANY version of windows that has built-in support for all of the compaq proprietary hardware. The Quick-cam was attempted according to the install instructions (do not plug it in until instructed to do so)

COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

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COMPAQ makes trash but I need to fix one

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Sorry all, but nothing worked so I can’t give out the points (I really Do give out points, just gave 7,500 away for a MSSQL/Zone Alarm conflict that 2 posters were able to solve for me). I am thinking that Compaq has sunk even lower than Packard Bell with their proprietary hardware and”Compaq only” solutions to problems. Client ordered the recovery CDs, when they get here, and if they fail, he’s returning the pc for a refund and getting a new gateway. I guess that’s why compaq has it’s own certification for repair techs, because anything you have learned from CompTIA’s A+ Somehow

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