Win98SE net problem and problem with Compaq QuickRestore

[Rod Speed]

Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.

IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.

Everything else works fine.

Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.

The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no difference.

It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.

Same result with the internal modem and an external router.

Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.

Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',

This is caused by one of the following conditions :
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive

cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no difference

This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer

thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used

The system board has been replace

not as far as I am aware

The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten

no evidence of either

A hardware error has occurred

no evidence of any hardware problem.

It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.


So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.

Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.

I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc and
it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an intel
chipset video. The original SE install has got the supplementary
drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

[FruitLoop]

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no difference.
It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no difference
This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc and
it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?
lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448

Post by Rod Speed
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an intel
chipset video. The original SE install has got the supplementary
drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

Windows 98 is no longer supported , update to XP .

Also be wary of the hidden partition used on compaqs , if its been blown
away you wont be able to restore from compaq quick restore .

I would blow away the partitions reinstall XP SP2 and sit back and have a
beer .

[Shep©]

On Sun, 18 Dec 2005 01:47:42 GMT If you fall from a tree,leave your

Post by FruitLoop
Windows 98 is no longer supported , update to XP .

Dickhead.

[Rod Speed]

Post by Rod Speed

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no difference.
It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no difference
This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc
and it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?
lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448

Post by Rod Speed
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an
intel chipset video. The original SE install has got the supplementary
drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

Windows 98 is no longer supported ,

The owner doesnt care and neither should
they. IE6 and OE6 are still supported fine.

Post by Rod Speed
update to XP .

Not even possible, its only got 64M.

Post by Rod Speed
Also be wary of the hidden partition used on compaqs , if its been
blown away you wont be able to restore from compaq quick restore .

It doesnt complain about that when run, and the the floppy calls
itself the QuickRestore Maintenance Utility when run and says


The HDD has a QRed image on it

found good SN and CTO info on the system board

Writing CTO data to HDD

Writing CTO data to the diskette

<<<<< QRMAINT has successfully complete. >>>>>

Please remove this diskette from the computer

And store it with your QuickRestore CD.


So it appears to be happy that whatever it needs is on the HDD.

There is no hidden partition, the only partition
there is occupys the full space on the hard drive.

Post by Rod Speed
I would blow away the partitions reinstall XP SP2

Doesnt have enough memory for that.

Its only used for quite basic stuff, SE should be fine
for that and has been up till this problem showed up.

[SmakDaddy]

Post by Rod Speed
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,

hmm, wouldnt be the DCOM component would it? i know that had some.. odd..
issues, i thought they were confined to IE though.

[Rod Speed]

Post by SmakDaddy

Post by Rod Speed
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,

hmm, wouldnt be the DCOM component would it?

I assumed that uninstalling IE6 back to IE5 should have replaced that ?

Post by SmakDaddy
i know that had some.. odd.. issues, i thought they were confined to IE
though.

Yeah, surprised me that firefox was affected too.

[kevin]

Post by SmakDaddy

Post by Rod Speed
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,

hmm, wouldnt be the DCOM component would it? i know that had some.. odd..
issues, i thought they were confined to IE though.

Not just IE but OE, Task mang. Windows messaging and more stuff on XP
and Win2000 that have it tied to it.
Good Idea to block that Port with your Firewall.

Kevin

[Lord-Data]

Tried booting the recovery CD? Dunno about back in the 98 days, but more
recent recovery discs can be booted.. Also some compaq systems with recovery
partition on HDD have a key press you can hold at boot time to boot directly
into recovery mode from the partition, bypassing the need for the CD..

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no difference.
It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no difference
This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc and
it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an intel
chipset video. The original SE install has got the supplementary
drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

[Rod Speed]

Post by Lord-Data
Tried booting the recovery CD?

Yeah, that's what the manual says to do and thats what
produces the message saying it cant restore, once its booted.

Tried running it from Win too, no autostart. If you run
the exe from within Win, same error screen results.

The second CD is labelled Driver Recovery CD #2
and that does autostart when running Win, but it demands
you put the CD in the drive when its already in the drive.

Post by Lord-Data
Dunno about back in the 98 days, but more recent recovery discs can be
booted..

Yeah, they both can, but both give the same error message once they boot.

Post by Lord-Data
Also some compaq systems with recovery partition on HDD have a key press you
can hold at boot time to boot directly into recovery mode from the partition,
bypassing the need for the CD..

No mention of that in the manual and there isnt any special partition
visible, even by calculating the numbers in case its very well hidden.

I'll ring Compaq and see what they say.

Post by Lord-Data

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no
difference. It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no
difference This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc
and it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an
intel chipset video. The original SE install has got the
supplementary drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

[kevin]

Post by Lord-Data
Tried booting the recovery CD? Dunno about back in the 98 days, but more
recent recovery discs can be booted.. Also some compaq systems with recovery
partition on HDD have a key press you can hold at boot time to boot directly
into recovery mode from the partition, bypassing the need for the CD..

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no difference.
It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no difference
This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc and
it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an intel
chipset video. The original SE install has got the supplementary
drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

That's F4 if I remember right.
But if he's already upgraded to Win98se then he'd be trying to run a
earlier OS on it.

Kevin

[Rod Speed]

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no difference.
It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no difference
This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.

Tried returning it to the original hardware config too, it had a
burner, internal modem and USB card added. Made no difference.

Post by Rod Speed
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.

Compaq has nothing to offer. The recovery CD isnt in their
database, so it isnt clear if its the appropriate CD for this system.

They only have a different one thats for
2K which was an option with that system.

Post by Rod Speed
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc
and it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an intel
chipset video. The original SE install has got the supplementary
drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

Might see how viable 256K of ram is and install XP instead.

[SmakDaddy]

Post by Rod Speed
Might see how viable 256K of ram is and install XP instead.

depending on what its to be used for,you might get away with installing a
user friendly (well, friendly fora linux flavour) linux distrobutuon like
mandriva or something. you can pretty much guarantee there will be
free-to-download hardware specific or compatible generic drivers for all the
hardware on the laptop. also depends on the purpous though. if its for
internet, email, and word, then something like mandriva will do all that
easily. if its to run games and stuff, that xp option sounds a lot better...

[Rod Speed]

Post by Rod Speed
Might see how viable 256K of ram is and install XP instead.

depending on what its to be used for,you might get away with installing a user
friendly (well, friendly fora linux flavour) linux distrobutuon like mandriva
or something.

Nar, the owner is a pretty naive user.

you can pretty much guarantee there will be free-to-download hardware specific
or compatible generic drivers for all the hardware on the laptop.

Its a desktop.

also depends on the purpous though. if its for internet, email, and word,
then something like mandriva will do all that easily. if its to run games and
stuff, that xp option sounds a lot better...

Yeah, particularly for the camera etc, XP or SE is the way to go
IMO. Main advantage with XP over SE is that it will be easier for
me to fix as required, mainly because of the install in place with XP.
SE is a tad dinosaury in that area. Quite adequate for their use tho.

[kevin]

Post by Rod Speed

Post by Rod Speed
Might see how viable 256K of ram is and install XP instead.

depending on what its to be used for,you might get away with installing a user
friendly (well, friendly fora linux flavour) linux distrobutuon like mandriva
or something.

Nar, the owner is a pretty naive user.

you can pretty much guarantee there will be free-to-download hardware specific
or compatible generic drivers for all the hardware on the laptop.

Its a desktop.

also depends on the purpous though. if its for internet, email, and word,
then something like mandriva will do all that easily. if its to run games and
stuff, that xp option sounds a lot better...

Yeah, particularly for the camera etc, XP or SE is the way to go
IMO. Main advantage with XP over SE is that it will be easier for
me to fix as required, mainly because of the install in place with XP.
SE is a tad dinosaury in that area. Quite adequate for their use tho.

Not sure about XP since you only have 256k RAM.
Can the RAM be upgraded?
Anyone know what the min RAM is for XP?

Do you have a regular Win98 CD and upgrade CD to Win98se?
Or a Win98 CD Full Version (if they made one)?
If so dump the restore CD and repartition the Drive to one Partition.
Then install Win98(se) and or upgrade to Win98se.
You should be all set from there.

I think the problem was you were looking at the wrong CD trying to run
a Win98 CD (Restore CD) on a system that has been ugraded to Win98se.
It wanted to see the Win98se CD and not Win98 unless it asks for it.

Kevin

[Rod Speed]

Post by kevin

Post by Rod Speed

Post by SmakDaddy

Post by Rod Speed
Might see how viable 256K of ram is and install XP instead.

depending on what its to be used for,you might get away with installing a
user friendly (well, friendly fora linux flavour)
linux distrobutuon like mandriva or something.

Nar, the owner is a pretty naive user.

Post by SmakDaddy
you can pretty much guarantee there will be free-to-download
hardware specific or compatible generic drivers for all the
hardware on the laptop.

Its a desktop.

Post by SmakDaddy
also depends on the purpous though. if its for internet, email,
and word, then something like mandriva will do all that easily. if its to
run games and stuff, that xp option sounds a lot better...

Yeah, particularly for the camera etc, XP or SE is the way to go
IMO. Main advantage with XP over SE is that it will be easier for me to fix
as required, mainly because of the install in place with XP. SE is a tad
dinosaury in that area. Quite adequate for their use tho.

Not sure about XP since you only have 256k RAM.

64 actually.

Post by kevin
Can the RAM be upgraded?

Likely, but there arent any XP drivers for it,
just 2K drivers so that might not be a great idea.

Post by kevin
Anyone know what the min RAM is for XP?

There isnt any real minimum, I have installed
it on a 64M system. Rather slow tho.

Post by kevin
Do you have a regular Win98 CD and upgrade CD to Win98se?

Yes, but chose not to use that.

Post by kevin
Or a Win98 CD Full Version (if they made one)?

98SE OEM, yes, that installs fine and is how I proved
that it was a stuffed SE install, that fixes the problem.
And its happy to use the Product Key thats on the
manual that came with the system too.

Post by kevin
If so dump the restore CD and repartition the Drive to one Partition.

It only had the one partition, I just formatted that and SE installs fine.

Post by kevin
Then install Win98(se) and or upgrade to Win98se.
You should be all set from there.

Its more complicated than that. For some odd reason while there
are 5 video drivers on the compaq site for that system, not one of
them is for the intel video chipset that is actually present.

Looks rather like its one of Compaq's odditys that never did
get made in very big volume and its unclear if the recovery
CDs actually belong with that system at all. Compaq couldnt
find any data on the number thats on the CDs and their
database only shows a recovery CD for 2K for that system.

Looks rather like someone used a separate compaq oem SE
and the recovery CDs are from something else or something.

I worked out which chipset its got using Everest, Intel i752 and
an Intel 82810E graphics controller. Nothing on the intel site for
the i752. Decent collection of drivers for the 82810 but when you
try installing the one for 98 etc, it says its for the 810 etc video
chipsets. Its happy to install and does appear to work on that
system tho, at least allowing the better video modes to be set
now. They dont play games on that PC so it should be fine.

Post by kevin
I think the problem was you were looking at the wrong CD trying to run
a Win98 CD (Restore CD) on a system that has been ugraded to Win98se.

Nope, its always had SE on it, the manual
and product key are for a compaq oem SE.

Post by kevin
It wanted to see the Win98se CD and not Win98 unless it asks for it.

The QReasy error message doesnt even mention that possibility, it
rabbits on about various possibilitys with the hardware its booted on.

[FruitLoop]

Post by Rod Speed

Post by kevin

Post by Rod Speed

Post by SmakDaddy

Post by Rod Speed
Might see how viable 256K of ram is and install XP instead.

depending on what its to be used for,you might get away with installing a
user friendly (well, friendly fora linux flavour)
linux distrobutuon like mandriva or something.

Nar, the owner is a pretty naive user.

Post by SmakDaddy
you can pretty much guarantee there will be free-to-download
hardware specific or compatible generic drivers for all the
hardware on the laptop.

Its a desktop.

Post by SmakDaddy
also depends on the purpous though. if its for internet, email,
and word, then something like mandriva will do all that easily. if its to
run games and stuff, that xp option sounds a lot better...

Yeah, particularly for the camera etc, XP or SE is the way to go
IMO. Main advantage with XP over SE is that it will be easier for me to fix
as required, mainly because of the install in place with XP. SE is a tad
dinosaury in that area. Quite adequate for their use tho.

Not sure about XP since you only have 256k RAM.

64 actually.

Post by kevin
Can the RAM be upgraded?

Likely, but there arent any XP drivers for it,
just 2K drivers so that might not be a great idea.

Post by kevin
Anyone know what the min RAM is for XP?

There isnt any real minimum, I have installed
it on a 64M system. Rather slow tho.

No minimum , my ass , MS have minimum system specs on software , as you dont
know .

Off the top of my head Processor 300mhz and 128 meg ram for XP

Post by Rod Speed

Post by kevin
Do you have a regular Win98 CD and upgrade CD to Win98se?

Yes, but chose not to use that.

Post by kevin
Or a Win98 CD Full Version (if they made one)?

98SE OEM, yes, that installs fine and is how I proved
that it was a stuffed SE install, that fixes the problem.
And its happy to use the Product Key thats on the
manual that came with the system too.

Post by kevin
If so dump the restore CD and repartition the Drive to one Partition.

It only had the one partition, I just formatted that and SE installs fine.

Post by kevin
Then install Win98(se) and or upgrade to Win98se.
You should be all set from there.

Its more complicated than that. For some odd reason while there
are 5 video drivers on the compaq site for that system, not one of
them is for the intel video chipset that is actually present.
Looks rather like its one of Compaq's odditys that never did
get made in very big volume and its unclear if the recovery
CDs actually belong with that system at all. Compaq couldnt
find any data on the number thats on the CDs and their
database only shows a recovery CD for 2K for that system.
Looks rather like someone used a separate compaq oem SE
and the recovery CDs are from something else or something.
I worked out which chipset its got using Everest, Intel i752 and
an Intel 82810E graphics controller. Nothing on the intel site for
the i752. Decent collection of drivers for the 82810 but when you
try installing the one for 98 etc, it says its for the 810 etc video
chipsets. Its happy to install and does appear to work on that
system tho, at least allowing the better video modes to be set
now. They dont play games on that PC so it should be fine.

Post by kevin
I think the problem was you were looking at the wrong CD trying to run
a Win98 CD (Restore CD) on a system that has been ugraded to Win98se.

Nope, its always had SE on it, the manual
and product key are for a compaq oem SE.

Post by kevin
It wanted to see the Win98se CD and not Win98 unless it asks for it.

The QReasy error message doesnt even mention that possibility, it
rabbits on about various possibilitys with the hardware its booted on.

[Rod Speed]

Post by FruitLoop

Post by Rod Speed

Post by kevin

Post by Rod Speed

Post by SmakDaddy

Post by Rod Speed
Might see how viable 256K of ram is and install XP instead.

depending on what its to be used for,you might get away with
installing a user friendly (well, friendly fora linux flavour)
linux distrobutuon like mandriva or something.

Nar, the owner is a pretty naive user.

Post by SmakDaddy
you can pretty much guarantee there will be free-to-download
hardware specific or compatible generic drivers for all the
hardware on the laptop.

Its a desktop.

Post by SmakDaddy
also depends on the purpous though. if its for internet, email,
and word, then something like mandriva will do all that easily.
if its to run games and stuff, that xp option sounds a lot better...

Yeah, particularly for the camera etc, XP or SE is the way to go
IMO. Main advantage with XP over SE is that it will be easier for
me to fix as required, mainly because of the install in place with
XP. SE is a tad dinosaury in that area. Quite adequate for their
use tho.

Not sure about XP since you only have 256k RAM.

64 actually.

Post by kevin
Can the RAM be upgraded?

Likely, but there arent any XP drivers for it,
just 2K drivers so that might not be a great idea.

Post by kevin
Anyone know what the min RAM is for XP?

There isnt any real minimum, I have installed
it on a 64M system. Rather slow tho.

No minimum , my ass , MS have minimum system specs on software ,

Wrong, as always.

Post by FruitLoop
Off the top of my head Processor 300mhz and 128 meg ram for XP

Have fun explaining the 64M system I installed it on fine.

Post by FruitLoop

Post by Rod Speed

Post by kevin
Do you have a regular Win98 CD and upgrade CD to Win98se?

Yes, but chose not to use that.

Post by kevin
Or a Win98 CD Full Version (if they made one)?

98SE OEM, yes, that installs fine and is how I proved
that it was a stuffed SE install, that fixes the problem.
And its happy to use the Product Key thats on the
manual that came with the system too.

Post by kevin
If so dump the restore CD and repartition the Drive to one
Partition.

It only had the one partition, I just formatted that and SE installs fine.

Post by kevin
Then install Win98(se) and or upgrade to Win98se.
You should be all set from there.

Its more complicated than that. For some odd reason while there
are 5 video drivers on the compaq site for that system, not one of
them is for the intel video chipset that is actually present.
Looks rather like its one of Compaq's odditys that never did
get made in very big volume and its unclear if the recovery
CDs actually belong with that system at all. Compaq couldnt
find any data on the number thats on the CDs and their
database only shows a recovery CD for 2K for that system.
Looks rather like someone used a separate compaq oem SE
and the recovery CDs are from something else or something.
I worked out which chipset its got using Everest, Intel i752 and
an Intel 82810E graphics controller. Nothing on the intel site for
the i752. Decent collection of drivers for the 82810 but when you
try installing the one for 98 etc, it says its for the 810 etc video
chipsets. Its happy to install and does appear to work on that
system tho, at least allowing the better video modes to be set
now. They dont play games on that PC so it should be fine.

Post by kevin
I think the problem was you were looking at the wrong CD trying to
run a Win98 CD (Restore CD) on a system that has been ugraded to
Win98se.

Nope, its always had SE on it, the manual
and product key are for a compaq oem SE.

Post by kevin
It wanted to see the Win98se CD and not Win98 unless it asks for it.

The QReasy error message doesnt even mention that possibility, it
rabbits on about various possibilitys with the hardware its booted on.

[FruitLoop]

Post by Rod Speed

Post by FruitLoop

Post by Rod Speed

Post by kevin

Post by Rod Speed

Post by SmakDaddy

Post by Rod Speed
Might see how viable 256K of ram is and install XP instead.

depending on what its to be used for,you might get away with
installing a user friendly (well, friendly fora linux flavour)
linux distrobutuon like mandriva or something.

Nar, the owner is a pretty naive user.

Post by SmakDaddy
you can pretty much guarantee there will be free-to-download
hardware specific or compatible generic drivers for all the
hardware on the laptop.

Its a desktop.

Post by SmakDaddy
also depends on the purpous though. if its for internet, email,
and word, then something like mandriva will do all that easily.
if its to run games and stuff, that xp option sounds a lot better...

Yeah, particularly for the camera etc, XP or SE is the way to go
IMO. Main advantage with XP over SE is that it will be easier for
me to fix as required, mainly because of the install in place with
XP. SE is a tad dinosaury in that area. Quite adequate for their
use tho.

Not sure about XP since you only have 256k RAM.

64 actually.

Post by kevin
Can the RAM be upgraded?

Likely, but there arent any XP drivers for it,
just 2K drivers so that might not be a great idea.

Post by kevin
Anyone know what the min RAM is for XP?

There isnt any real minimum, I have installed
it on a 64M system. Rather slow tho.

No minimum , my ass , MS have minimum system specs on software ,

Wrong, as always.

If Im wrong install XP you tool and see , if your so fucking sure , Mr
knowall .

This is why no-one helps you fool

Post by Rod Speed

Post by FruitLoop
Off the top of my head Processor 300mhz and 128 meg ram for XP

Have fun explaining the 64M system I installed it on fine.

Post by FruitLoop

Post by Rod Speed

Post by kevin
Do you have a regular Win98 CD and upgrade CD to Win98se?

Yes, but chose not to use that.

Post by kevin
Or a Win98 CD Full Version (if they made one)?

98SE OEM, yes, that installs fine and is how I proved
that it was a stuffed SE install, that fixes the problem.
And its happy to use the Product Key thats on the
manual that came with the system too.

Post by kevin
If so dump the restore CD and repartition the Drive to one
Partition.

It only had the one partition, I just formatted that and SE installs fine.

Post by kevin
Then install Win98(se) and or upgrade to Win98se.
You should be all set from there.

Its more complicated than that. For some odd reason while there
are 5 video drivers on the compaq site for that system, not one of
them is for the intel video chipset that is actually present.
Looks rather like its one of Compaq's odditys that never did
get made in very big volume and its unclear if the recovery
CDs actually belong with that system at all. Compaq couldnt
find any data on the number thats on the CDs and their
database only shows a recovery CD for 2K for that system.
Looks rather like someone used a separate compaq oem SE
and the recovery CDs are from something else or something.
I worked out which chipset its got using Everest, Intel i752 and
an Intel 82810E graphics controller. Nothing on the intel site for
the i752. Decent collection of drivers for the 82810 but when you
try installing the one for 98 etc, it says its for the 810 etc video
chipsets. Its happy to install and does appear to work on that
system tho, at least allowing the better video modes to be set
now. They dont play games on that PC so it should be fine.

Post by kevin
I think the problem was you were looking at the wrong CD trying to
run a Win98 CD (Restore CD) on a system that has been ugraded to
Win98se.

Nope, its always had SE on it, the manual
and product key are for a compaq oem SE.

Post by kevin
It wanted to see the Win98se CD and not Win98 unless it asks for it.

The QReasy error message doesnt even mention that possibility, it
rabbits on about various possibilitys with the hardware its booted on.

[kevin]

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no difference.
It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no difference

Check if Drive Letter assigned to CD has changed!
However it looks like your trying to run a Win98 CD on Win98se!
You don't use the Win98 CD after you upgrade to Win98se unless it asks
for it.
And then I'd get a REAL Win98 CD and not a Compaq Restore CD!

Post by Rod Speed
This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc and
it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an intel
chipset video. The original SE install has got the supplementary
drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

First check that it is pointing to the proper drive for the CD.
It may have changed the drive letter to your CD when you reinstalled.
Check Device Mang. to see if that Drive Letter it was assigned has
changed.

Second your trying to run a Restore Disk that is Windows 98 after
you've updated to win98se!
Whenever I try that it tells be the Win98 CD is the wrong version and
to put the win98se CD in.

I suggest you get a normal copy of win98 if you have a Win98se upgrade
CD or win98se (full version if they made one) somewhere.
You might try Ebay for one.

I ripped out the Compaq crap here and got rid of the D:\ partition
that slows your computer.
You don't need it when you uninstal the Compaq Windows and install
Win98 and then upgrade to Win98se.

I'm surprised you got SFC to run on a Restore CD unless it was after
you upgraded to Win98se and used that CD to update files.
I had to get the files out of the CABs by hand until I dumped that
Restore CD.
Talk about taking something simple and complicating it!

Partition your Drive as one Partition and install Win98 then upgrade
to Win98se unless you have a Win98se Full Version (don't know if they
made one but possible).

Or going to Win2000 or XP would be another option if you want to go
that route but read up on them to be sure you can close all the Doors
left open and change default passwords etc...

Hope that helps.

Kevin

[Rod Speed]

Post by kevin

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no difference.
It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no difference

Check if Drive Letter assigned to CD has changed!

Not relevant because thats an attempt to boot the
CD and there is no drive letter for it at that level.

And I get exactly the same result when I return
it to the original hardware config anyway.

Post by kevin
However it looks like your trying to run a Win98 CD on Win98se!

Nope, I get the same result even when the hard drive has been wiped.

And it isnt a Win98 CD anyway, its the Compaq Recovery CDs.

Post by kevin
You don't use the Win98 CD after you upgrade to Win98se unless it asks for it.
And then I'd get a REAL Win98 CD and not a Compaq Restore CD!

I want the Compaq Recovery CD because a standard
Win98SE CD doesnt have the drivers I need, they arent
on the compaq site for that Prosignia 340 either, and the
current install doesnt require any CD to be inserted when
say adding a NIC, it has the cabs for that stuff on the HD.

Post by kevin

Post by Rod Speed
This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc
and it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an
intel chipset video. The original SE install has got the
supplementary drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

First check that it is pointing to the proper drive for the CD.

I did that by returning to the original hardware config.

Post by kevin
It may have changed the drive letter to your CD when you reinstalled.

The drive letter is irrelevant when booting the recovery CD.

Post by kevin
Check Device Mang. to see if that Drive Letter it was assigned has changed.

Not relevant when booting a recovery CD and I get the same
result when its returned to the original hardware config anyway.

Post by kevin
Second your trying to run a Restore Disk that is Windows 98 after you've
updated to win98se!

No I'm not. No evidence that it ever had 98 installed.

The manual is a compaq oem 98SE manual.

Post by kevin
Whenever I try that it tells be the Win98 CD is the wrong version and to put
the win98se CD in.

Its not a Win98* CD, its a compaq OS Recovery CD.

I get the same result when I try to boot the Driver Recovery CD too.

Post by kevin
I suggest you get a normal copy of win98 if you have a Win98se upgrade CD or
win98se (full version if they made one) somewhere.

That's what I used to prove that the problem was a stuffed SE
install. That works fine, the only problem is with the drivers.

Post by kevin
You might try Ebay for one.
I ripped out the Compaq crap here and got rid of the D:\ partition that slows
your computer.

It only has one partition.

Post by kevin
You don't need it when you uninstal the Compaq Windows and install Win98 and
then upgrade to Win98se.
I'm surprised you got SFC to run on a Restore CD

I didnt, I used the full Win98SE OEM CD
for the two files it decided might be dubious.

Post by kevin
unless it was after you upgraded to Win98se and used that CD to update files.

There never was any upgrade.

Post by kevin
I had to get the files out of the CABs by hand until I dumped that Restore CD.
Talk about taking something simple and complicating it!
Partition your Drive as one Partition and install Win98 then upgrade to
Win98se unless you have a Win98se Full Version (don't know if they made one
but possible).

Yes, I have one, an OEM.

That certainly works but there's then a problme with the drivers.

Post by kevin
Or going to Win2000 or XP would be another option if you want to go that route

Not that practical, its only a 64M machine and the user is rather
too naive for 2K and likely the camera software wont run on 2K.

Post by kevin
but read up on them to be sure you can close all the Doors left open and
change default passwords etc...

I dont need to read up on that stuff.

[Rod Speed]

Post by Rod Speed
Rather odd problem with a Win98SE install on a Compaq Prosignia 340.
IE, OE, VET and firefox all crash very quickly after starting them.
Everything else works fine.
Those that do crash are all attempting to use the net.
Firefox was installed after first seeing the problem and
is the evidence that there is some fundamental problem
with net access somewhere.
The system file checker did replace a couple of files, made no
difference.
It was running IE and OE 6, repairing IE 6 made no
difference, uninstalling that back to 5 made no difference.
Same result with the internal modem and an external router.
Clean install of 98SE fixes the problem completely so its
clearly SE thats got screwed up somehow. Reasonably
clean install of SE, tho its been installed quite a while now.
Main problem is that I cant get the Compaq QuickRestore
to even start, it just whines 'restoration cannot continue',
The QuickRestore disk is not in the drive
cant be that, the CD is in the drive and the floppy makes no
difference
This QuickRestore disk is not designed for this computer
thats a real possibility, as far as I know its never been used
The system board has been replace
not as far as I am aware
The Flash BIOS is corrupt or has been rewritten
no evidence of either
A hardware error has occurred
no evidence of any hardware problem.
It comes with a diskette too which appears to write the serial
number to the hard drive and diskette. That runs fine with no
complaints and it makes no difference if thats in the drive when
the QuickRestore CD is booted.
So I'd like some way of actually fixing the problem in the current
SE install thats causing the crashes in IE, OE, VET and firefox.
Presumably it must be a problem with one of the dlls or something,
but the system file checker doesnt see any problem with any of them.
Or some way of getting the QuickRestore to work.
I can obviously do a clean install of SE from a normal OEM CD
and the product key on the SE manual works fine. But thats quite
a bit different in detail to the original SE install, no drivers etc
and it looks like there is a problem with the drivers from
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/DesktopProsignia/us/family/134.html?lang=en&cc=us&prodSeriesId=96448
no obviously suitable video driver for starters, this one has an intel
chipset video. The original SE install has got the supplementary
drivers on the hard drive too, so you dont have to fart around
with a CD when say adding a NIC etc either.

Wota saga, mostly due to compaq being missing
most of the time over the holiday season.

Turns out that the reason the recovery CDs dont work is because they
are for the wrong system, a prosignia laptop, not a prosignia desktop
340. And they are for 98 anyway, not 98SE, so are useless anyway.

The web site is useless for drivers, no drivers for the
stuff integrated on the motherboard at all, video and audio.

Not a huge problem, its easy enough to work out what the intel
embedded video hardware is using Everest, and get that from intel.

Not much harder with the audio, it turns out there is a
Softpaq from the compaq site for that integrated SoundMax
audio, just not listed for the Prosignia Desktop 340.

And one way around the problem is to use the DriverGuide Toolkit
to save the drivers from the current install and use them in the
clean install from the OEM 98SE CD that accepts the product key
from the original certificate of authenicity. No CD came with that.

BUT it would be more convenient to just do an install in place
of SE over the current install, mainly so I dont have to migrate
all the apps and configs etc to the new clean install. The existing
install is clearly in \Windows\Options\Cabs, with all the cabs and
setup.exe etc in there. Trouble is that you cant run setup.exe in
there, it whines about the lack of _setup.dll, error 103, even tho
that file is clearly in that folder and isnt corrupt etc. Putting it in
\windows\system or \windows\system32 doesnt help. Presumably
its looking for it somewhere else and isnt finding it. Compaq claims
you cant run it from there.

While you can do an install in place from an OEM 98SE CD
as long as you initiate that at the Win level, thats not as
desirable as redoing the current Compaq install, and for some
reason doesnt fix the problem, and clearly keeps IE6 SP1,
so isnt actually replacing what is causing the original problem.

Uninstalling IE6 doesnt help. It does uninstall fine, but
then you cant actually run setup from the CD at the win
level, Explorer just crashes as soon as you load it.

XP does install fine, and finds all the drivers for all the hardware,
but its only a 64M machine and appears to only accept 128MB
PC100 dimms, and the user isnt too keen on the cost of XP.

Automatic updates isnt ideal since its
on dialup with an unlicensed copy of XP.

[Agent " 86 "]

Sounds like its not worth having and your using it to learn 98 installs
....hmmmmmm