Ed:

Compaq uses a hidden partition on the hard drive to store the required
setup and diagnostic utilities. The F10 key should access it (you should
get a F10-Setup prompt at startup). Regardless, Compaq's CMOS should
automatically detect and prompt you for acceptance or rejection of a change
in "standard" hardware installed (with or without the hidden partition).

If the partition was deleted (say, your son wiped the drive, then did a
FDISK/FORMAT), you must download the ROMPaq (system software) for your
particular Model of Deskpro from the Compaq website at:

  http://www.compaq.com/support/files/desktops/us/

You can run setup from the diskette (created when you execute the
downloaded software -- follow the instructions). To reinstall the hidden
partition, you usually have to delete your existing partition(s) to make
room for it, then use the diagnostic diskette to create it. GHOSTing
(cloning the drive) usually won't work unless the two drives have
essentially identical drive geometries.

Good luck.

John Chin



>>>> At 05:58 PM 06/07/2001 Ed Bogert wrote:

My son gave me a Compaq Deskpro 2000 computer with Win98 installed. I want
to install a larger hard drive in this machine but, I cannot seem to be
able to enter the bios set-up screen on boot-up.  I've tried F1, F2, and
Delete but it just goes on and loads windows. I have to change some
hardware parameters but can't get into cmos to accomplish this.  Any
answers?  Thanks  Ed Bogert

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