BIOS/Safe Mode Starup Question I need help with

[Guest]

I put in 256 RAM today to bring my Presario 8000 to 512. I hadnt had any
problems with the computer before. But when I started it up it asks if I want
to save the new memory to file, then wont work, looping around the logo and
such and saying there is a problem. None of the options do anything, safe
mode doesnt work, last good config doesnt work, normal start up doesnt work.
I dont know what to do. From some stuff I read here Im thinking of trying to
set BIOS to default tho Im not sure why or what good it could do. If I have
to repair windows is there any way to get into safe mode to save all my files
and writings onto cd? Is there any good solution to this problem that youve
discovered? Would a start up disk made off my other presario do anything to
help the messed up one? Does this sound like a need for a BIOS upgrade or
update? Any help you could give would be terribly appreciated. I will be
checking this all day and all night and will reply with any further
questions.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Jesse

Have you tried removing the new memory?

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Sharon F]

I put in 256 RAM today to bring my Presario 8000 to 512. I hadnt had any
problems with the computer before. But when I started it up it asks if I want
to save the new memory to file, then wont work, looping around the logo and
such and saying there is a problem. None of the options do anything, safe
mode doesnt work, last good config doesnt work, normal start up doesnt work.
I dont know what to do. From some stuff I read here Im thinking of trying to
set BIOS to default tho Im not sure why or what good it could do. If I have
to repair windows is there any way to get into safe mode to save all my files
and writings onto cd? Is there any good solution to this problem that youve
discovered? Would a start up disk made off my other presario do anything to
help the messed up one? Does this sound like a need for a BIOS upgrade or
update? Any help you could give would be terribly appreciated. I will be
checking this all day and all night and will reply with any further
questions.

The "save the new memory to *file*" makes me think that hibernate is
probably in use on this laptop. It's a nice mode for mobile computers but
not good when adding new hardware. The standard practice when adding new
hardware is to do a normal shutdown first. (MS Knowledge Base reference:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308535/en-us)

Try taking out the new memory and booting with just the old memory in
place. Does that work? If yes, next stop is Control Panel> Power Options.
It's not unusual to find that the power button for mobile computers is
configured to "hibernate." If that's what you find, change it to plain old
Shut Down. Shutdown the system. Then add the new memory. Try to boot the
system.

As far as BIOS settings, most modern systems will auto-detect new RAM
without the user having to do anything extra. If the new RAM is not
recognized, one would go into BIOS and check the settings for installed
RAM. Sometimes you have to select the amount that you now have installed.
Other times, just re-selecting Auto-Detect, updates the BIOS info to
include the new RAM. Save your changes and exit using the noted keystrokes
on the BIOS screens.

One more thought... On most systems, BIOS settings are stored in a chip. In
the past, Compaq has been known to store these in a file. There is a
possibility that your system is "one of these" and there really is a file
that needs updating. I've never seen a Compaq like this firsthand, I've
only read about them. Anyhow... if this is the case (and it's only a very
small chance that this is what you're dealing with), then it is a
BIOS/system situation and your Compaq resources will be your guide in
getting this setup correctly.