Compaq has given you the correct information-F10 enters the Setup (CMOS) program. This is not on the HD, but a chip on the motherboard. Installing Linux could be a real challenge and calls for a certain amount of homework. This site details the installation of Linux on a Compaq 1500: http://ieee.uow.edu.au/~daniel/compaq/compaq_armada_1500c/compaq_armada_1500 c.html **************************************************************************** *********************** Hi, I have a Compac Armada 1560 notebook that has lost the cmos data like the hard drive. How do I get into the cmos to configure the hard drive. I called HP tech support and they were no help, also I emailed them and received the answer, the F10 key, but that gets you into the setup program on the hard drive whick the machine doesn't see. Others told me the F2 key just as the compac pic comes up on the screen, but that doesn't work either. It is no big deal, but I would like to get rid of win95 on it and install Linux, if I can ever get into the cmos. PCBUILD's List Owners: Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]> Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>