Can't find XP Home Edition on hard drive

[Guest]

Bought a Compaq bundle at Fry's a year ago this month. After upgrading this
and that, I stupidly tried to install a "flash" BIOS upgrade. Black screen
since. It's the original hard disk, and Windows XP Home came pre-installed,
but there is no evidence of it, hence no OS for my system. I have the "key"
and Genuine Logo from the side of the case. Is there any way I can somehow
obtain it to re-install? Money is exceedingly tight. Appreciate some input.
Thanks

 

[Guest]

Well,you need flash to update the BIOS,w/o it the files for the update wont
be written...Try turning on the computer,try to enter the BIOS,is that
possible,if so exit page,select "load set up defaults" save and exit.

 

[Guest]

black screen. no output to monitor. tried startup w/ BIOS update floppy
inserted. no evidence that system is checking drives for boot status. prior
to the "update," BIOS was set to boot "A:\ floppy" first, "E:\CD-ROM" second,
"C:\ Presario" third. NO RESPONSE to any.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Flashing BIOS would not normlly "erase" the hard drive files. It may just
be that the BIOS can not longer find the hard drive. Check the BIOS to see
if the hard drive is detected!

 

[S. Taylor]

That's not his problem.
His bios isn't posting, which means the bios update either failed or wasn't
the
correct bios update.
I'm afraid he'll have to take it to a tech.

 

[Ron Martell]

Bought a Compaq bundle at Fry's a year ago this month. After upgrading this
and that, I stupidly tried to install a "flash" BIOS upgrade. Black screen
since. It's the original hard disk, and Windows XP Home came pre-installed,
but there is no evidence of it, hence no OS for my system. I have the "key"
and Genuine Logo from the side of the case. Is there any way I can somehow
obtain it to re-install? Money is exceedingly tight. Appreciate some input.
Thanks

Your Compaq system should have a 1 year warranty so you need to
contact Compaq's tech support and get their assistance in recovering
from the botched BIOS flash.

I have no personal knowledge of Fry's so I don't know if they have any
sort of support or repair service. If they do you might also try
them. But your first choice should be Compaq.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Guest]

the "flash" was a third-party, which I doubt Compaq would cover anyway, but I
tried it exactly 11 days after warranty expiration! The flash provider,
eSupport.com, has responded, and the mobo is on its way to them with a $10
check. Hopefully, that will do it. Thanks to all of you for your help and
ideas. will re-post with results.