Computer won't boot

Yes... you can do what ebay312 has advised, even though i think he's refering to the boot menu where you select primary, secondary and third drive storage options.. Another option would be to flash the bios with sata controller data on boot with a floppy or memory stick via USB port. If your operating system is installed you most likely will get a product key request if you have OEM windows and the motherboard and hardrive aren't the orginal hardware.
Good luck...i hope this helps

Generally this is going to be a result of either a bios setting or needing a driver.

Enter your BIOS and look for the SATA settings there should be a mode setting that will allow you to change the SATA controller to IDE mode which will generally bypass the problem long enough to install XP, once you're up and running you can install a SATA driver and switch the modes back for better performance.

If the Compaqs BIOS doesn't have this option you need to identify your SATA controller and I can try to find a driver for you that you can load prior to the hardware inspection phase.

If the first option doesn't work, ie no option for IDE mode, disable the Quick/Quiet Post/Boot option in Bios and while the computer is restarting hit the pause key as the hardware list comes up(just after harddrive detection). This may take several tries as it goes by fast. Once you catch that screen, read through the list and get the names manufacturer codes and all other info of any SATA, RAID and I/O controllers listed and report them back here, I will do my best to find an appropriate XP driver for you.


Hope this helps FixYa,

Chris

I think I can help you with this. You have listed your pc as a pressario desktop. I have to make some assumptions, so bear with me.

The first is, that this computer is designed to work with IDE or EIDE hard drives.

You'll need to get into the BIOS or SETUP on the computer. Once in there (this is before the computer runs) you have to tell the computer where it will find the operating system.

There should be a heading called BOOT, and when you are under this heading, there should be a sub heading for the hard drives, and the priority given to them.

Yours should be a ADD ON CARD because this Pressario is designed for IDE (again, I'm making that assumption) and the default is to look there for your OS.

With the boot set to look at add on cards, you should be able to boot to the SATA drive.

good luck
tony