This is a link to the Armada 1570D user's manual.
http://bizsupport2.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00139858/c00139858.pdf

Pages 3.3 - 3.7 may be the most helpful to you.  It looks like the BIOS was
originally kept on a floppy diskette.  A computer of this age may not be
able to boot from a CD.  I used to have floppy boot disks that would load my
CD-ROM drivers.  I could then start the install from the CD after booting
from a floppy.  You might want to look at http://www.bootdisk.com/ to see if
you can find a suitable boot disk.

Good luck,
Ron


On Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 7:34 AM, Kyle Elmblade <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> You might also want to do some Internet research on the system. A lot of
> Compaq machines put the BIOS on a hidden partition on the hard drive. If
> this is where it is supposed to be, and it doesn't exist (yes, I've seen
> this before and it IS possible install an OS without it), you will likely
> need to play some games to get it installed. I'm thinking you might need
> Partition Magic or some such application to make set aside some space for
> the additional partition, and then run an application from Compaq to get it
> installed. It could get... complicated. If you have a local Compaq expert
> it
> would help. It's something I could normally do, but I would have to have
> the
> machine and there would be a lot of guess-and-check involved. There is no
> way to talk you through the process via email.
>
> Don't be too discouraged, though. The partition might already be there or
> the BIOS might actually be completely on a chip, so everything above may
> not
> apply at all. It can be a bit tricky, though.
>
> Cheers!
>
>
> On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 5:21 PM, Christopher Foree <
> [log in to unmask]
> > wrote:
>
> > Try tapping F8, Del, F2, Backspace, or Esc repeatedly during boot-up.
> >  Also,
> > each time you restart to try another key, shut down the laptop
> completely,
> > wait a few seconds, then switch on.  Some machines will skip the BIOS
> scan
> > if you just do a soft restart.
> >
> > Luck!
> >
> > -C
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michele Sayer
> > Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 5:03 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: [PCBUILD] compaq armada 1570D bios help
> >
> > Can anyone help me please? I'm trying to access the bios on a compaq
> armada
> > 1570D. I've tried just about every combination of keys I can think of,
> and
> > searched the net, but nothing. someone somewhere must know how to access
> > the
> > bios? Please help if you can? I have no flashing curser on the right as
> > most
> > of the sites suggest - only a quick count up and then a flashing curser
> on
> > the top left hand corner. I hope someone can help.
> >
> > The reason I need to access the bios is to change the boot order - this
> > laptop has been set to access the C drive first and I need to reinstall
> the
> > os. Is there an alternative way of changing the boot order? I've removed
> > the
> > ram - sometimes works - but all I get is a message on the screen asking
> me
> > to confirm or save  the changes with F1 or F2
> >
> > I dont seem to be able to find the answer anywhere on the net.
> >
> >         PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
> >                     visit our download web page at:
> >                  http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml
> >
> >         PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
> >                     visit our download web page at:
> >                  http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Kyle Elmblade
> [log in to unmask]
>
>                         PCBUILD's List Owners:
>                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>
>                        Mark Rode<[log in to unmask]>
>

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