I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death, freezes
up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC behaves
normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the hard drive.
Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being *******.
When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per the manual, the PC
just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left hand corner, also ALT,
CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn off the PC and then back on
again after removing the recovery disk.
The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I can tell
is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as follows: -
C: Primary
D: Data Extended
E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
Bruce,
Do yourself a huge favor and dropkick Windows Millenium out the front or
back door (your choice). WinME is absolute crap and the worst OS MS ever
produced, IMHO.
XP drivers for the 5116EA can be found here:
"Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:An9Ei.45577$S91.17466@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
>
> The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death,
> freezes up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC
> behaves normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the hard
> drive.
>
> Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being *******.
> When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per the manual, the
> PC just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left hand corner, also
> ALT, CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn off the PC and then
> back on again after removing the recovery disk.
>
> The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I can
> tell is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as follows: -
>
> C: Primary
> D: Data Extended
> E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
>
> Any ideas anyone please?
>
> Bruce.
>
Thanks for the reply HH. This PC will be used for word-processing only. I
have a COA for ME and also for W2K but If I install W2K on it then it will
be illegal as I have already installed it on another PC. Going to XP just
seems a waste on such a low spec' PC.
I would still like to know why the PC is hanging when it reads the Recovery
Disk.
Bruce.
"HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
news:r9qdnQwo1bxSpHzbnZ2dnUVZ_tWtnZ2d@metrocastcab levision.com...
> Bruce,
> Do yourself a huge favor and dropkick Windows Millenium out the front or
> back door (your choice). WinME is absolute crap and the worst OS MS ever
> produced, IMHO.
> XP drivers for the 5116EA can be found here:
>
> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...=93056&lang=en
>
> You can get an OEM full install version of XP home here:
>
> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2182&CatId=306
>
> Once you see how well XP runs, once you up your RAM, you won't want to go
> back. Here is a link to purchase RAM for your Prsario:
>
> http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...Model%205116EA
>
>
> HH
>
>
> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:An9Ei.45577$S91.17466@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
>>
>> The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death,
>> freezes up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC
>> behaves normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the hard
>> drive.
>>
>> Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being *******.
>> When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per the manual, the
>> PC just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left hand corner, also
>> ALT, CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn off the PC and then
>> back on again after removing the recovery disk.
>>
>> The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I can
>> tell is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as follows: -
>>
>> C: Primary
>> D: Data Extended
>> E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
>>
>> Any ideas anyone please?
>>
>> Bruce.
>>
>
>
>Thanks for the reply HH. This PC will be used for word-processing only. I
>have a COA for ME and also for W2K but If I install W2K on it then it will
>be illegal as I have already installed it on another PC. Going to XP just
>seems a waste on such a low spec' PC.
>
>I would still like to know why the PC is hanging when it reads the Recovery
>Disk.
>
>Bruce.
>
>"HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
>news:r9qdnQwo1bxSpHzbnZ2dnUVZ_tWtnZ2d@metrocastca blevision.com...
>> Bruce,
>> Do yourself a huge favor and dropkick Windows Millenium out the front or
>> back door (your choice). WinME is absolute crap and the worst OS MS ever
>> produced, IMHO.
>> XP drivers for the 5116EA can be found here:
>>
>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...=93056&lang=en
>>
>> You can get an OEM full install version of XP home here:
>>
>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2182&CatId=306
>>
>> Once you see how well XP runs, once you up your RAM, you won't want to go
>> back. Here is a link to purchase RAM for your Prsario:
>>
>> http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...Model%205116EA
>>
>>
>> HH
>>
>>
>> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:An9Ei.45577$S91.17466@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>>I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
>>>
>>> The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death,
>>> freezes up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC
>>> behaves normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the hard
>>> drive.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being *******.
>>> When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per the manual, the
>>> PC just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left hand corner, also
>>> ALT, CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn off the PC and then
>>> back on again after removing the recovery disk.
>>>
>>> The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I can
>>> tell is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as follows: -
>>>
>>> C: Primary
>>> D: Data Extended
>>> E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
>>>
>>> Any ideas anyone please?
>>>
>>> Bruce.
>>>
>>
>>
>
Like Ben says, it could be just about anything, including corruption of
the system.sav partition. Unless you have a bootable floppy or CD with
Scandisk.exe on it, it will be tough.
Even if you put in a new HD, the recovery disk would not work because it
must see an intact system.sav partition in order to restore the PC.
You might check around and see if anyone has the full QuickRestore CD set
for your model. This does not require the system.sav partition and can be
used on a blank, formatted hard drive. Unfortunately, Compaq stopped
providing these for pre-XP machines years ago.
Good luck,
HH
"Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:UbeEi.53334$sI3.13956@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
> Thanks for the reply HH. This PC will be used for word-processing only.
> I have a COA for ME and also for W2K but If I install W2K on it then it
> will be illegal as I have already installed it on another PC. Going to XP
> just seems a waste on such a low spec' PC.
>
> I would still like to know why the PC is hanging when it reads the
> Recovery Disk.
>
> Bruce.
>
> "HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
> news:r9qdnQwo1bxSpHzbnZ2dnUVZ_tWtnZ2d@metrocastcab levision.com...
>> Bruce,
>> Do yourself a huge favor and dropkick Windows Millenium out the front
>> or back door (your choice). WinME is absolute crap and the worst OS MS
>> ever produced, IMHO.
>> XP drivers for the 5116EA can be found here:
>>
>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...=93056&lang=en
>>
>> You can get an OEM full install version of XP home here:
>>
>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2182&CatId=306
>>
>> Once you see how well XP runs, once you up your RAM, you won't want to go
>> back. Here is a link to purchase RAM for your Prsario:
>>
>> http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...Model%205116EA
>>
>>
>> HH
>>
>>
>> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:An9Ei.45577$S91.17466@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>>I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
>>>
>>> The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death,
>>> freezes up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC
>>> behaves normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the hard
>>> drive.
>>>
>>> Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being *******.
>>> When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per the manual,
>>> the PC just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left hand corner,
>>> also ALT, CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn off the PC and
>>> then back on again after removing the recovery disk.
>>>
>>> The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I can
>>> tell is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as follows: -
>>>
>>> C: Primary
>>> D: Data Extended
>>> E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
>>>
>>> Any ideas anyone please?
>>>
>>> Bruce.
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
Thanks for your replies gents. Just out of interest where should be the
system_sav partition be on the hard drive? Should it be at the beginning as
I seem to remember with the Compaqs of 14 odd years ago the Bios setup
partition had to be at the beginning of the drive or am I mistaken?
Bruce.
"HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
news:iI-dnUsXUfnPO3zbnZ2dnUVZ_j2dnZ2d@metrocastcablevision .com...
> Like Ben says, it could be just about anything, including corruption of
> the system.sav partition. Unless you have a bootable floppy or CD with
> Scandisk.exe on it, it will be tough.
> Even if you put in a new HD, the recovery disk would not work because it
> must see an intact system.sav partition in order to restore the PC.
> You might check around and see if anyone has the full QuickRestore CD
> set for your model. This does not require the system.sav partition and can
> be used on a blank, formatted hard drive. Unfortunately, Compaq stopped
> providing these for pre-XP machines years ago.
>
> Good luck,
>
> HH
>
>
> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:UbeEi.53334$sI3.13956@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
>> Thanks for the reply HH. This PC will be used for word-processing only.
>> I have a COA for ME and also for W2K but If I install W2K on it then it
>> will be illegal as I have already installed it on another PC. Going to
>> XP just seems a waste on such a low spec' PC.
>>
>> I would still like to know why the PC is hanging when it reads the
>> Recovery Disk.
>>
>> Bruce.
>>
>> "HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
>> news:r9qdnQwo1bxSpHzbnZ2dnUVZ_tWtnZ2d@metrocastcab levision.com...
>>> Bruce,
>>> Do yourself a huge favor and dropkick Windows Millenium out the front
>>> or back door (your choice). WinME is absolute crap and the worst OS MS
>>> ever produced, IMHO.
>>> XP drivers for the 5116EA can be found here:
>>>
>>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...=93056&lang=en
>>>
>>> You can get an OEM full install version of XP home here:
>>>
>>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2182&CatId=306
>>>
>>> Once you see how well XP runs, once you up your RAM, you won't want to
>>> go back. Here is a link to purchase RAM for your Prsario:
>>>
>>> http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...Model%205116EA
>>>
>>>
>>> HH
>>>
>>>
>>> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>>> news:An9Ei.45577$S91.17466@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>>>I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
>>>>
>>>> The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death,
>>>> freezes up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC
>>>> behaves normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the hard
>>>> drive.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being *******.
>>>> When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per the manual,
>>>> the PC just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left hand corner,
>>>> also ALT, CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn off the PC and
>>>> then back on again after removing the recovery disk.
>>>>
>>>> The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I can
>>>> tell is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as follows: -
>>>>
>>>> C: Primary
>>>> D: Data Extended
>>>> E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas anyone please?
>>>>
>>>> Bruce.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
No, it's not like the hidden CMOS partition on older Compaqs. The fact it
shows up in File Manager proves that. It normally is just the D: drive,
i.e., D: system.sav.
"Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:f3jEi.21793$ka7.4345@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> Thanks for your replies gents. Just out of interest where should be the
> system_sav partition be on the hard drive? Should it be at the beginning
> as I seem to remember with the Compaqs of 14 odd years ago the Bios setup
> partition had to be at the beginning of the drive or am I mistaken?
>
> Bruce.
>
> "HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
> news:iI-dnUsXUfnPO3zbnZ2dnUVZ_j2dnZ2d@metrocastcablevision .com...
>> Like Ben says, it could be just about anything, including corruption of
>> the system.sav partition. Unless you have a bootable floppy or CD with
>> Scandisk.exe on it, it will be tough.
>> Even if you put in a new HD, the recovery disk would not work because
>> it must see an intact system.sav partition in order to restore the PC.
>> You might check around and see if anyone has the full QuickRestore CD
>> set for your model. This does not require the system.sav partition and
>> can be used on a blank, formatted hard drive. Unfortunately, Compaq
>> stopped providing these for pre-XP machines years ago.
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> HH
>>
>>
>> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>> news:UbeEi.53334$sI3.13956@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
>>> Thanks for the reply HH. This PC will be used for word-processing
>>> only. I have a COA for ME and also for W2K but If I install W2K on it
>>> then it will be illegal as I have already installed it on another PC.
>>> Going to XP just seems a waste on such a low spec' PC.
>>>
>>> I would still like to know why the PC is hanging when it reads the
>>> Recovery Disk.
>>>
>>> Bruce.
>>>
>>> "HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
>>> news:r9qdnQwo1bxSpHzbnZ2dnUVZ_tWtnZ2d@metrocastcab levision.com...
>>>> Bruce,
>>>> Do yourself a huge favor and dropkick Windows Millenium out the front
>>>> or back door (your choice). WinME is absolute crap and the worst OS MS
>>>> ever produced, IMHO.
>>>> XP drivers for the 5116EA can be found here:
>>>>
>>>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...=93056&lang=en
>>>>
>>>> You can get an OEM full install version of XP home here:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2182&CatId=306
>>>>
>>>> Once you see how well XP runs, once you up your RAM, you won't want to
>>>> go back. Here is a link to purchase RAM for your Prsario:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...Model%205116EA
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> HH
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:An9Ei.45577$S91.17466@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>>>>I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
>>>>>
>>>>> The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death,
>>>>> freezes up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC
>>>>> behaves normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the
>>>>> hard drive.
>>>>>
>>>>> Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being *******.
>>>>> When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per the manual,
>>>>> the PC just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left hand corner,
>>>>> also ALT, CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn off the PC
>>>>> and then back on again after removing the recovery disk.
>>>>>
>>>>> The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I
>>>>> can tell is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as follows: -
>>>>>
>>>>> C: Primary
>>>>> D: Data Extended
>>>>> E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
>>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas anyone please?
>>>>>
>>>>> Bruce.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
So it doesn't matter which position it is on the drive?
"HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
news:B9KdnThdnLpeUnzbnZ2dnUVZ_s6mnZ2d@metrocastcab levision.com...
> No, it's not like the hidden CMOS partition on older Compaqs. The fact it
> shows up in File Manager proves that. It normally is just the D: drive,
> i.e., D: system.sav.
>
>
> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:f3jEi.21793$ka7.4345@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
>> Thanks for your replies gents. Just out of interest where should be the
>> system_sav partition be on the hard drive? Should it be at the beginning
>> as I seem to remember with the Compaqs of 14 odd years ago the Bios setup
>> partition had to be at the beginning of the drive or am I mistaken?
>>
>> Bruce.
>>
>> "HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
>> news:iI-dnUsXUfnPO3zbnZ2dnUVZ_j2dnZ2d@metrocastcablevision .com...
>>> Like Ben says, it could be just about anything, including corruption
>>> of the system.sav partition. Unless you have a bootable floppy or CD
>>> with Scandisk.exe on it, it will be tough.
>>> Even if you put in a new HD, the recovery disk would not work because
>>> it must see an intact system.sav partition in order to restore the PC.
>>> You might check around and see if anyone has the full QuickRestore CD
>>> set for your model. This does not require the system.sav partition and
>>> can be used on a blank, formatted hard drive. Unfortunately, Compaq
>>> stopped providing these for pre-XP machines years ago.
>>>
>>> Good luck,
>>>
>>> HH
>>>
>>>
>>> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>>> news:UbeEi.53334$sI3.13956@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
>>>> Thanks for the reply HH. This PC will be used for word-processing
>>>> only. I have a COA for ME and also for W2K but If I install W2K on it
>>>> then it will be illegal as I have already installed it on another PC.
>>>> Going to XP just seems a waste on such a low spec' PC.
>>>>
>>>> I would still like to know why the PC is hanging when it reads the
>>>> Recovery Disk.
>>>>
>>>> Bruce.
>>>>
>>>> "HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:r9qdnQwo1bxSpHzbnZ2dnUVZ_tWtnZ2d@metrocastcab levision.com...
>>>>> Bruce,
>>>>> Do yourself a huge favor and dropkick Windows Millenium out the
>>>>> front or back door (your choice). WinME is absolute crap and the worst
>>>>> OS MS ever produced, IMHO.
>>>>> XP drivers for the 5116EA can be found here:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...=93056&lang=en
>>>>>
>>>>> You can get an OEM full install version of XP home here:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2182&CatId=306
>>>>>
>>>>> Once you see how well XP runs, once you up your RAM, you won't want to
>>>>> go back. Here is a link to purchase RAM for your Prsario:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...Model%205116EA
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> HH
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:An9Ei.45577$S91.17466@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>>>>>I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death,
>>>>>> freezes up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC
>>>>>> behaves normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the
>>>>>> hard drive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being
>>>>>> *******. When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per
>>>>>> the manual, the PC just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left
>>>>>> hand corner, also ALT, CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn
>>>>>> off the PC and then back on again after removing the recovery disk.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I
>>>>>> can tell is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as
>>>>>> follows: -
>>>>>>
>>>>>> C: Primary
>>>>>> D: Data Extended
>>>>>> E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any ideas anyone please?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bruce.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
The recovery disk is clean with no scratches, I have swapped the CD-ROM
drive with a known working one and the hard drive passes the Compaq
diagnostics that are in the BIOS. The PC still hangs when rebooting and
trying to read the recovery disk. The keyboard has no effect when it hangs.
Bruce.
"Ben Myers" <ben_myers_spam_me_not@charter.net> wrote in message
news:f843e3d7l15ms75fkrkfhkso1o6k7dg7ds@4ax.com...
> If the recovery disk is scratched, that could cause a system hang. If
> the hard
> drive is failing, same. If the CD-ROM drive is failing, same.
>
> DItch WinME. QUICKLY! ... Ben Myers
>
> On Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:34:12 GMT, "Bruce Varney"
> <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com>
> wrote:
>
>>Thanks for the reply HH. This PC will be used for word-processing only.
>>I
>>have a COA for ME and also for W2K but If I install W2K on it then it will
>>be illegal as I have already installed it on another PC. Going to XP just
>>seems a waste on such a low spec' PC.
>>
>>I would still like to know why the PC is hanging when it reads the
>>Recovery
>>Disk.
>>
>>Bruce.
>>
>>"HH" <hahunt42@va.metrocast.net> wrote in message
>>news:r9qdnQwo1bxSpHzbnZ2dnUVZ_tWtnZ2d@metrocastc ablevision.com...
>>> Bruce,
>>> Do yourself a huge favor and dropkick Windows Millenium out the front
>>> or
>>> back door (your choice). WinME is absolute crap and the worst OS MS ever
>>> produced, IMHO.
>>> XP drivers for the 5116EA can be found here:
>>>
>>> http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...=93056&lang=en
>>>
>>> You can get an OEM full install version of XP home here:
>>>
>>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2182&CatId=306
>>>
>>> Once you see how well XP runs, once you up your RAM, you won't want to
>>> go
>>> back. Here is a link to purchase RAM for your Prsario:
>>>
>>> http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...Model%205116EA
>>>
>>>
>>> HH
>>>
>>>
>>> "Bruce Varney" <bruce.varney@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
>>> news:An9Ei.45577$S91.17466@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...
>>>>I have a Presario 5116EA that will not restore from the recovery disk.
>>>>
>>>> The OS is ME and is totally *******, lots of blue screens of death,
>>>> freezes up etc. I did swap the hard drive and loaded W2K and the PC
>>>> behaves normally so no hardware problems. I have swapped back the hard
>>>> drive.
>>>>
>>>> Unfortunately I cannot make an Emergency Disk due to ME being *******.
>>>> When I try to use the recovery disk from rebooting as per the manual,
>>>> the
>>>> PC just hangs with a cursor flashing in the top left hand corner, also
>>>> ALT, CTRL, DEL has no effect at all, I have to turn off the PC and then
>>>> back on again after removing the recovery disk.
>>>>
>>>> The SYSTEM_SAV partition is still on the hard drive and as far as I can
>>>> tell is not corrupted. The drive is partitioned up as follows: -
>>>>
>>>> C: Primary
>>>> D: Data Extended
>>>> E: SYSTEM_SAV Extended
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas anyone please?
>>>>
>>>> Bruce.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
Presario 5116EA 
Linear Mode
