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]>