Compaq Deskpro with HP CD Writer issue

[MiracleMax]

Here's the scoop. I have a Compaq Deskpro EX (PIII) set up with a CD-ROM drive and a HP CD Writer 9500 drive. When I have everything connected and reboot my computer the BIOS keep redecting the the HP CD Writer and the CD-ROM drives.

So the BIOS keeps getting caught in a loop...it detects the new hardware, prompts me to save changes, and then redetects the hardware. Sometimes I have to keep hitting "Save Changes" up to 20 times before the computer will boot into Windows 98. But here's the catch, if I disconnect the compaq CD-ROM drive from the computer boots fine. I now know of three people with the exact same problem and identical set up (Compaq Deskpro with a HP CD Writer).

One last thing, HP or Compaq tech support act like they have no idea what the problem is (and neither will take ownership over the problem). In my opinion, it's a Compaq BIOS issue since the problem occures at the BIOS level and the HP drive works fine in other computers.

If anyone can help me with this one I'll name my first born after you. Thanks!

 

[Slikkster]

Time to start experimenting. CDROM's and CD-Writers have jumpers on their respective backs for Master and Slave. Do you have those set correctly? Are both drives on the same IDE cable? Tried making one drive a slave on IDE1 and one Drive a slave on IDE2? Or the second drive a Master on IDE2? Tried setting the bios for non-detection of your IDE positions? (as in "None" where asked if you have a device there)

 

[christom]

I hope I can help,

I fix Compaqs for a living, and If I would deal with this problem, I would check the jumpers on the cd drives. I know the compaq drive ships standard jumpered as "cable select". In fact, all compaq drives ship that way. If you just jumper the drives as master and slave, then clear the cmos, I think that should do it. If not, try upgrading the bios using a compaq rompaq which you can download from their website at compaq.com/support and look for downloads for your model. I hope this can help.

Sincerely,

christom

 

[MiracleMax]

We've experimented with the master/slave and jumper settings. We've honestly tried every possible combination. Just for the record, the jumpers are set correctly. Also I've talked with Compaq and installed the latest ROMpaq. That didn't help the issue. Compaq didn't have any record of this issue and suggested that there might be an incompatibility with the CD-ROM drive and try putting a different CD-ROM drive in the computer. Sounded like tech support wanted to end the call.

Here's exactly what happens:

1. Boot computer.
2. BIOS displays a message that it recognized the hard drive, Compaq CD-ROM drive, and the HP CD Writer 9500. Press F1 to save changes (you press F1).
3. Computer reboots.
4. BIOS displays a message that it recognized only the hard drive and HP CD Writer 9500. Press F1 to save changes (you press F1).
5. Computer reboots.
6. BIOS displays a message that it recognized the hard drive, Compaq CD-ROM drive, and the HP CD Writer 9500. Press F1 to save changes (you press F1).
7. Computer reboots.
8. BIOS displays a message that it recognized only the hard drive and HP CD Writer 9500. Press F1 to save changes (you press F1).
9. Computer reboots

...and so on.

This is the loop. Sometimes you go through this two times and some times it takes up to 20 times. It's pretty frustrating. Thanks!

 

[veryape]

I can't help you answer your questions because my name is sh!tstain and I couldn't live with myself if you went and named your first born after me.

BTW, what happens if you don't save the changes? Also, have you tried changing the IRQs, maybe there is a conflict there, it can't hurt to try right.

 

[Slikkster]

And you've tried jumpering both drives in the "Cable Select" ("CS") position? If that doesn't work, I'd try a different IDE cable and go throught the Master/Slave routine again.

 

[MiracleMax]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried running both CD drives on the cable select (CS) jumper setting...no luck. I reran through the different master/slave configurations...no luck. Finally, I pulled the Compaq CD-ROM from the system and replaced it with a Mitsumi CD drive. I rebooted, saved the updated config in the BIOS, and it seems to be working. Maybe it was an incompatibility with certain Compaq OEM CD drives and HP CD Writer drives. Probably should get that fixed with all the merger talks. Anyway...

We're going to test the new setup for the next week to see if it sticks. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for all the great help!