Robert Baer
Guest
Sat Jan 28, 2012 5:57 am
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series
5DT) that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
(have only one partition set up, 2G of the 3.5G drive).
The other Vectra gives a similar message but both complain about HD2
or HD1, HD2 and HD3 even tho they are not there and thus the BIOS should
"see" that and not complain about them being absent.
Since these problems (HD1,2,3) are obviously BIOS related, i am
thinking the first one is also BIOS related.
So..how is this fixed?
(PS: HP refuses to read the complaint correctly and gives a
non-sequiter response - and then trash the query without even a
by-your-leave).
Martin Brown
Guest
Sat Jan 28, 2012 10:25 am
On 28/01/2012 04:57, Robert Baer wrote:
Quote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series 5DT)
that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
The HD is probably so old and infirm that it has not spun up by the time
the BIOS asks it "are you OK?". It will die permanently soon.
Quote:
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
(have only one partition set up, 2G of the 3.5G drive).
The other Vectra gives a similar message but both complain about HD2 or
HD1, HD2 and HD3 even tho they are not there and thus the BIOS should
"see" that and not complain about them being absent.
Since these problems (HD1,2,3) are obviously BIOS related, i am thinking
the first one is also BIOS related.
So..how is this fixed?
Why not install a massive 4GB USB pen drive for all of $5 instead?
Quote:
(PS: HP refuses to read the complaint correctly and gives a non-sequiter
response - and then trash the query without even a by-your-leave).
I am not surprised. Everyone that worked on those is probably long gone
by now. Their service dept only deals in kit that is within a reasonable
working lifetime. Max ram was something under 256M CPU 200MHz - mobile
phones have an order of magnitude more computing power.
You should be able to buy a second owner recycled corporate computer 1GB
and 2GHz for around $50 that will leave these wrecks for dust.
--
Regards,
Martin Brown
Adrian C
Guest
Sat Jan 28, 2012 12:11 pm
On 28/01/2012 04:57, Robert Baer wrote:
Quote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series 5DT)
that "act up".
Find if there are any CMOS backup cells in the units and replace them,
if keeping the PCs for which there are many good reasons to replace
unless married to specific addin cards and lab equipment.
Quote:
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
Can you write the exact error message as it shows on the screen?
Quote:
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
(have only one partition set up, 2G of the 3.5G drive).
For the installation of early hard drives it was important to decribe in
BIOS either the hard drive type number, or the number of Cylinders,
Heads and Sectors (CHS) it had. Your hard drive probably (because of
size) prefers LBA mode - which might not be turned on, so the BIOS is
feeding default CHS parameters to the OS.
Quote:
The other Vectra gives a similar message but both complain about HD2 or
HD1, HD2 and HD3 even tho they are not there and thus the BIOS should
"see" that and not complain about them being absent.
Probably not a complaint, it's just showing that there are empty 'slots'
for drives, and that there aren't drives installed in them. If this
message has recently appeared, perhaps this comfort display was
previously hidden (a BIOS option) and have recently been reset to show.
Quote:
Since these problems (HD1,2,3) are obviously BIOS related, i am thinking
the first one is also BIOS related.
So..how is this fixed?
New cells, reset BIOS settings to default, then configure what doen't work.
Quote:
(PS: HP refuses to read the complaint correctly and gives a non-sequiter
response - and then trash the query without even a by-your-leave).
It's too ancient for them to care...
--
Adrian C
Nico Coesel
Guest
Sat Jan 28, 2012 3:14 pm
Robert Baer <robertbaer_at_localnet.com> wrote:
Quote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series
5DT) that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
(have only one partition set up, 2G of the 3.5G drive).
The other Vectra gives a similar message but both complain about HD2
or HD1, HD2 and HD3 even tho they are not there and thus the BIOS should
"see" that and not complain about them being absent.
Since these problems (HD1,2,3) are obviously BIOS related, i am
thinking the first one is also BIOS related.
So..how is this fixed?
Like Martin already stated: they are at the end of their life. Just
replace them.
--
Failure does not prove something is impossible, failure simply
indicates you are not using the right tools...
nico_at_nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Baer
Guest
Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:20 am
Martin Brown wrote:
Quote:
On 28/01/2012 04:57, Robert Baer wrote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series 5DT)
that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
The HD is probably so old and infirm that it has not spun up by the time
the BIOS asks it "are you OK?". It will die permanently soon.
* Not true; passes Spinrite with flying colors and works perfectly in
other computers.
Quote:
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
(have only one partition set up, 2G of the 3.5G drive).
The other Vectra gives a similar message but both complain about HD2 or
HD1, HD2 and HD3 even tho they are not there and thus the BIOS should
"see" that and not complain about them being absent.
Since these problems (HD1,2,3) are obviously BIOS related, i am thinking
the first one is also BIOS related.
So..how is this fixed?
Why not install a massive 4GB USB pen drive for all of $5 instead?
* Does not support USB in any shape size or color..
Quote:
(PS: HP refuses to read the complaint correctly and gives a non-sequiter
response - and then trash the query without even a by-your-leave).
I am not surprised. Everyone that worked on those is probably long gone
by now. Their service dept only deals in kit that is within a reasonable
working lifetime. Max ram was something under 256M CPU 200MHz - mobile
phones have an order of magnitude more computing power.
You should be able to buy a second owner recycled corporate computer 1GB
and 2GHz for around $50 that will leave these wrecks for dust.
* I _need_ the ISA support.
Martin Brown
Guest
Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:03 pm
Robert Baer wrote:
Quote:
Martin Brown wrote:
On 28/01/2012 04:57, Robert Baer wrote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series 5DT)
that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
The HD is probably so old and infirm that it has not spun up by the
time the BIOS asks it "are you OK?". It will die permanently soon.
* Not true; passes Spinrite with flying colors and works perfectly in
other computers.
Time will tell.
Quote:
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
(have only one partition set up, 2G of the 3.5G drive).
The other Vectra gives a similar message but both complain about HD2 or
HD1, HD2 and HD3 even tho they are not there and thus the BIOS should
"see" that and not complain about them being absent.
Since these problems (HD1,2,3) are obviously BIOS related, i am thinking
the first one is also BIOS related.
So..how is this fixed?
Why not install a massive 4GB USB pen drive for all of $5 instead?
* Does not support USB in any shape size or color..
(PS: HP refuses to read the complaint correctly and gives a non-sequiter
response - and then trash the query without even a by-your-leave).
I am not surprised. Everyone that worked on those is probably long
gone by now. Their service dept only deals in kit that is within a
reasonable working lifetime. Max ram was something under 256M CPU
200MHz - mobile phones have an order of magnitude more computing power.
You should be able to buy a second owner recycled corporate computer
1GB and 2GHz for around $50 that will leave these wrecks for dust.
* I _need_ the ISA support.
Dinosaur! Legacy motherboards with ISA are still available for a price
although you would probably be better off looking in a junkyard...
http://www.nixsys.com/products/accessories/motherboards.html?gclid=COeA2PeH9a0CFSgntAodNEkUuA
Even the longest lived scientific instruments I have worked on migrated
to modern expansion bus archictures more than a decade ago.
Regards,
Martin Brown
Pueblo Dancer
Guest
Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:45 pm
On Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:20:13 -0800, Robert Baer <robertbaer_at_localnet.com>
wrote:
Quote:
Why not install a massive 4GB USB pen drive for all of $5 instead?
* Does not support USB in any shape size or color..
http://www.amazon.com/2-Port-Super-Speed-Express-Adapter/dp/B005JEOM4C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1327841053&sr=8-6
Nico Coesel
Guest
Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:04 pm
Robert Baer <robertbaer_at_localnet.com> wrote:
Quote:
Martin Brown wrote:
On 28/01/2012 04:57, Robert Baer wrote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series 5DT)
that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
The HD is probably so old and infirm that it has not spun up by the time
the BIOS asks it "are you OK?". It will die permanently soon.
* Not true; passes Spinrite with flying colors and works perfectly in
other computers.
That won't say anything about the actual state of the hard drive. You
could replace it with a compact flash card. Some of my test equipment
used IDE drives. I replaced all of them with compact flash.
Quote:
You should be able to buy a second owner recycled corporate computer 1GB
and 2GHz for around $50 that will leave these wrecks for dust.
* I _need_ the ISA support.
In that case you can take a look on Ebay to find a new motherboard and
CPU. Maybe you'll need a different case as well. Recently I bougt a
brand new Pentium overdrive CPU for a piece of equipment based on a
486 system.
Its difficult to pinpoint the exact cause but your systems are getting
flaky one way or another. I'd replace them because its a sign saying
there is bigger trouble ahead.
There still is quite a lot of new hardware out there for use in older
systems. Ebay and dealextreme.com are good sources.
--
Failure does not prove something is impossible, failure simply
indicates you are not using the right tools...
nico_at_nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
--------------------------------------------------------------
whit3rd
Guest
Sun Jan 29, 2012 9:19 pm
On Friday, January 27, 2012 8:57:52 PM UTC-8, Robert Baer wrote:
Quote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series
5DT) that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
The oldest BIOS'es sometimes had hard-coded disk characteristics
in the BIOS setup; this quickly was dropped in favor of reading
the disk info from the disk, BUT it sounds like your disk drives may
be bigger than your BIOS is happy with. It doesn't like the numbers.
There were multiple workarounds, including disk drive jumpers
that made large disks pretend they were small ones.
Your best bet is not HP, but the hard drive manufacturer; the 'setup' disks
that come with drives can help (and in cases of old hardware, OLD VERSIONS of those
setup disks are vital). Try searching Usenet archives (groups.google.com, and
comp.sys.hp.hardware).
Bill Martin
Guest
Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:36 pm
On 01/27/2012 08:57 PM, Robert Baer wrote:
Quote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series 5DT)
that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
(have only one partition set up, 2G of the 3.5G drive).
The other Vectra gives a similar message but both complain about HD2 or
HD1, HD2 and HD3 even tho they are not there and thus the BIOS should
"see" that and not complain about them being absent.
Since these problems (HD1,2,3) are obviously BIOS related, i am thinking
the first one is also BIOS related.
So..how is this fixed?
(PS: HP refuses to read the complaint correctly and gives a non-sequiter
response - and then trash the query without even a by-your-leave).
These are pre-Compaq merger, probably made in Grenoble. Not much chance
any current help-desk jockey has a clue about these. The one reply below
suggesting new battery for the cmos backup may be right on target. I had
a couple of old Vectras go bonkers, the new battery was all that it
needed to come back to life. Resetting all the cmos data then, of course.
good luck,
Bill
Robert Baer
Guest
Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:43 am
Nico Coesel wrote:
Quote:
Robert Baer <robertbaer_at_localnet.com> wrote:
Martin Brown wrote:
On 28/01/2012 04:57, Robert Baer wrote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series 5DT)
that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
The HD is probably so old and infirm that it has not spun up by the time
the BIOS asks it "are you OK?". It will die permanently soon.
* Not true; passes Spinrite with flying colors and works perfectly in
other computers.
That won't say anything about the actual state of the hard drive. You
could replace it with a compact flash card. Some of my test equipment
used IDE drives. I replaced all of them with compact flash.
* That might work in a more modern (but obsolete) computer.
But even with a fancy interface card suggested & available via Amazon
one could NOT boot from it.
Quote:
You should be able to buy a second owner recycled corporate computer 1GB
and 2GHz for around $50 that will leave these wrecks for dust.
* I _need_ the ISA support.
In that case you can take a look on Ebay to find a new motherboard and
CPU. Maybe you'll need a different case as well. Recently I bougt a
brand new Pentium overdrive CPU for a piece of equipment based on a
486 system.
* Ooh! That would be extra neat!
I have obtained a Pentium slot 1 and ASUS MB for a "backup: computer
(for that guy we have never seen..Mister Justin Case). Had problems
with the ASUS MB as ASUS lied in a number of places in the manual.
Quote:
Its difficult to pinpoint the exact cause but your systems are getting
flaky one way or another. I'd replace them because its a sign saying
there is bigger trouble ahead.
There still is quite a lot of new hardware out there for use in older
systems. Ebay and dealextreme.com are good sources.
Robert Baer
Guest
Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:45 am
whit3rd wrote:
Quote:
On Friday, January 27, 2012 8:57:52 PM UTC-8, Robert Baer wrote:
I have a few HP Vectra computers (specifically VL5/200 MMX series
5DT) that "act up".
On power up, the BIOS complains that HD0 is configured, but not found
and implies it will not work.
Pressing F1 to bypass that one finds the hard drive works perfectly
The oldest BIOS'es sometimes had hard-coded disk characteristics
in the BIOS setup; this quickly was dropped in favor of reading
the disk info from the disk, BUT it sounds like your disk drives may
be bigger than your BIOS is happy with. It doesn't like the numbers.
There were multiple workarounds, including disk drive jumpers
that made large disks pretend they were small ones.
Your best bet is not HP, but the hard drive manufacturer; the 'setup' disks
that come with drives can help (and in cases of old hardware, OLD VERSIONS of those
setup disks are vital). Try searching Usenet archives (groups.google.com, and
comp.sys.hp.hardware).
Thanx for the HP ref.
Jasen Betts
Guest
Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:03 pm
On 2012-01-29, Robert Baer <robertbaer_at_localnet.com> wrote:
Quote:
* I _need_ the ISA support.
look into PC104. you can get PC104 to ISA adaptors.
--
⚂⚃ 100% natural
--- Posted via
news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to news_at_netfront.net ---
Jasen Betts
Guest
Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:04 pm
On 2012-01-29, Pueblo Dancer <Kachina_at_AllHopiIsLost.org> wrote:
Quote:
a machine with no USB is most unlikely to have PCIe
--
⚂⚃ 100% natural
--- Posted via
news://freenews.netfront.net/ - Complaints to news_at_netfront.net ---
