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Windows XP Upgrading

Problems with Compaq Presario 5800, 5900, 7900, 7AP1

SUMMARY: If you have a Compaq 5800, 5900, 7900, or 7AP1 series computer, here are some problems you may encounter when upgrading to Windows XP.

When attempting to update a Compaq Presario to Windows XP, you may get through most of the update, only to find out that, suddenly, without warning, Windows fails to recognize you have a CD-Rom on your system.

This happened to me on one of my machines, and believe me, I was surprised!

The culprit is an old BIOS on your machine. When these Compaq computers were made, their BIOS's were not set up to support operating systems that had not yet been invented yet. Luckily, Compaq's website does offer a fix for this annoying problem, as well as other potentially problematic BIOS-related problems. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to find this update unless you know exactly what you are looking for. That's why this tip is here.

For more information on this BIOS update, visit:
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp15001-15500/sp15443.txt

To download the BIOS update, visit:
ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp15001-15500/sp15443.exe

After downloading the file, you will need a blank floppy disk. Run the update and insert a blank floppy disk in your disk drive when prompted (all contents will be erased!) Then, BEFORE you start the Windows XP update, boot your Presario with this floppy disk in its drive. The BIOS update will commence. Follow the onscreen prompts to restart your machine, and you may have to physically reboot the Compaq computer once or twice. Once your machine starts back up, you should be able to start the upgrade to Windows XP.

Be sure to read the other tips on MalekTips for hints on what you should do before and during the Windows XP upgrade process.

Return to the Windows XP Upgrading page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >