Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Compaq Restore Disc

Apr 13, 2005 1:57AM PDT

I have an older computer that I'd like to give my son. It is a Compaq 5185. With Windows 98 installed. I want to restore it to its original condition so I reformated the C drive. I had made a boot disc when I had purchased the computer years ago.

Anyway, my C drive is reformatted but now I cannot get my system restore disc to work. when I restart the computer with the restore disc in the cd drive, a warning comes up and it tells you that system restore is in progress. Then it says to insert disc in cd drive. Disc is already there, but when I hit enter, the computer doesn't acknowledge it.

Now, I have a computer that I have no idea what to do with. Do I have to take it somewhere to have Windows 98 reinstalled or what do people suggest?

I installed a cd burner and wonder if that will be useable now that I cleaned off the C: drive even if I have Windows 98 reinstalled.

The restore disc is junk in my opinion.

I know, I shouldn't of got into something that is over my head but I expected the restore disc to work.

Thank you.

Rick

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Lets see...
Apr 13, 2005 2:11AM PDT

Just open and close door if the CD is already there, just to acknowledge to the install/restore s/w -OR- then open drive and place restore CD in, don't fight it. As for the CD burner, you will have to reload its own s/w that came with it, though win98 may acknowledge it, the OEM packaged s/w it has needs to be installed for 100% operation. Last, Comapq places a hidden partition of restore info, so it maybe acquiring info it needs and that causes an error and a formatted HD tends to wipe everything. It still maybe possible to get a new restore CD if it so happens yours is damaged but at a minor cost. Check the HP/Compaq support website for such details for your model# provided it is still available.

tada -----Willy Happy

- Collapse -
You may have tripped up the restore CD.
Apr 13, 2005 2:12AM PDT

Here's how. By fdisking and formatting prior to using the restore CD. I find that no partitions has worked fine for most restore CDs. Let the Restore CD do that step.

Unless you have your own plan?

Bob