Windows install problem... never seen this before.

[imported_nocturne]

Originally posted by: Dunnworkin

AMD K6-2+/550
256mb (2x128) Maximum for the board using both banks is 256mb
20 gig HD with Win98SE
Basic floppy, DVD/CD combo drive
ATI Rage mobility with an Active Matrix

...my bet is that its really a Microsoft XP issue.

My bet it's just the system period. XP has problems installing on computers that aren't as old as the specs you listed.

I have a desktop with the same exact specs, and it struggles with w98 (why it's sitting in the closet). WinXP is out of the question, unless you use nlite to create a very stripped down install.

 

[Dunnworkin]

Originally posted by: nocturne

Originally posted by: Dunnworkin

AMD K6-2+/550
256mb (2x128) Maximum for the board using both banks is 256mb
20 gig HD with Win98SE
Basic floppy, DVD/CD combo drive
ATI Rage mobility with an Active Matrix

...my bet is that its really a Microsoft XP issue.

My bet it's just the system period. XP has problems installing on computers that aren't as old as the specs you listed.

I have a desktop with the same exact specs, and it struggles with w98 (why it's sitting in the closet). WinXP is out of the question, unless you use nlite to create a very stripped down install.

Looks like posting way too much information really confused things. Hopefully this is better.

This notebook Does run a full install of XP. Fact is, it will run XP with as little a 64mb ram. I'm using it now with 196mb and It's actually running pretty decent. The problem, and what I'm trying to figure out, is how to get it to run with the full 256mb like Win98SE did.

If 256mb is installed now, the machine will simply stop at a black screen with the XP error message I posted earlier. The full 256mb is recognized in setup, 98SE will run with it, and the memory is displayed correctly in the Windows system properties.

Bottom line is that this leads me to believe the BIOS and components are just fine. I still think my bet on this being an XP issue is a safe one.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Dunnworkin

Originally posted by: nocturne

Originally posted by: Dunnworkin

AMD K6-2+/550
256mb (2x128) Maximum for the board using both banks is 256mb
20 gig HD with Win98SE
Basic floppy, DVD/CD combo drive
ATI Rage mobility with an Active Matrix

...my bet is that its really a Microsoft XP issue.

My bet it's just the system period. XP has problems installing on computers that aren't as old as the specs you listed.

I have a desktop with the same exact specs, and it struggles with w98 (why it's sitting in the closet). WinXP is out of the question, unless you use nlite to create a very stripped down install.

Looks like posting way too much information really confused things. Hopefully this is better.

This notebook Does run a full install of XP. Fact is, it will run XP with as little a 64mb ram. I'm using it now with 196mb and It's actually running pretty decent. The problem, and what I'm trying to figure out, is how to get it to run with the full 256mb like Win98SE did.

If 256mb is installed now, the machine will simply stop at a black screen with the XP error message I posted earlier. The full 256mb is recognized in setup, 98SE will run with it, and the memory is displayed correctly in the Windows system properties.

Bottom line is that this leads me to believe the BIOS and components are just fine. I still think my bet on this being an XP issue is a safe one.

What is the exact and full model number and name?

 

[Dunnworkin]

This notebook Does run a full install of XP. Fact is, it will run XP with as little a 64mb ram. I'm using it now with 196mb and It's actually running pretty decent. The problem, and what I'm trying to figure out, is how to get it to run with the full 256mb like Win98SE did.

If 256mb is installed now, the machine will simply stop at a black screen with the XP error message I posted earlier. The full 256mb is recognized in setup, 98SE will run with it, and the memory is displayed correctly in the Windows system properties.

Bottom line is that this leads me to believe the BIOS and components are just fine. I still think my bet on this being an XP issue is a safe one.[/quote]

What is the exact and full model number and name?[/quote]

Sorry for the delay.

It's a Compaq Presario 1685, model 1456VQLIN.

 

[dclive]

When I look on Compaq's website, I see that they only support 192MB of RAM on the system. I know that many Compaqs were BIOS limited to a certain amount of RAM, so it's possible they did this on this model as well. That you can use it in Win98SE...well, count yourself lucky.

Pull up product specs on a 1685 and you'll see what I mean.

___

Product Name Compaq Presario 1685 Notebook PC
US Product Number 112199-003
Microprocessor 380 MHz AMD-K6-2 processor with 3DNow! technology
Microprocessor Cache 512 KB L2 Pipeline Burst Cache
Memory 64 MB SyncDRAM (US and LA)
Memory Max Upgradable to 192 MB

(I'm aware your basic specs are slightly different; it's possible the MB has the same limits.)