Hello eighty,
Please check the ff:
Is the CDROM drive working properly?
No pop up error appears on the screen...
Be sure the first boot is CDROM. Try to check this in the Bios.
Before anything else, if your system has an option to make a Quick Restore Emergency Recovery Diskette, create now. I'm not certain but check this also (if any). It can be used in case no option to boot to CDROM is available in the Bios.
1. Double click the Presario Support icon on the Desktop.
2. Double click the Quick Restore icon
3. Click System Utilities
4. Insert a blank, formatted diskette in the diskette drive.
5. Click Recovery Diskette to create the diskette
Temporarily remove and disconnect all external devices, especially the secondary hard disk drive (if any). Only the mouse, keyboard, and the monitor should be attached, otherwise the Restore process won't work properly.
Try this first:
Boot the computer with Quick Restore CD 1 in the CDROM drive. As the computer boots make sure that the Num Lock is enabled on boot (there will be a light next to Num Lock key indicator). As the computer boots to the first screen of the Quick Restore, Compaq QuickRestore will be flashing on the screen. When you see the screen press the Caps Lock key one time. As the process proceeds the Compaq QuickRestore screen will stop flashing. At this time press the Num Lock key.
The screen will then move on to ask you what language to choose, select English and press enter.
Next you will see the Welcome screen to Compaq QuickRestore. When this screen is displayed, press CTRL+Q. There will be slight difference in the screen.
If done correctly you will see a (Q) next to "Compaq QuickRestore". If the (Q) is displayed, proceed with the quick restore and press enter. If not, repeat the first procedure.
The next step is to select the correct Configuration Code for the model computer in which the QuickRestore is being run on. Once selected press enter.
QuickRestore will then proceed to copy the image and setup files to the hard drive. The QuickRestore compromises of a 2 or 3cd set. QuickRestore will ask for each CD in order.
At this point the QuickRestore is asking for the first CD again. Please reinsert the first quick restore cd.
After the process of copying the information from the CD's has ended, Windows XP Home Setup will begin.
Finally, after all software and drivers have been installed, QuickRestore will ask you to power cycle the machine. Restart the computer and then it should boot in Windows XP.
If the above process did not work, Use the QR Emergency Recovery Diskette(if any):
Turn the computer off and make sure that the Recovery Diskette is in the diskette drive, allowing it to boot from the diskette. Follow the prompts to restore from the D: drive.
When the Compaq Logo appears, turn on Cap Locks (Do this by pressing the Caps Lock key above the left shift key)
You will be prompted with "Choose this line for English", press Enter
Welcome to Compaq Quick Restore, press ENTER
You will see a message that says "Compaq Quick Restore", press Enter
You will then get a message "Rebooting...please wait"
The Compaq Logo will reappear do not turn on Cap Locks this time
Follow the onscreen instructions.
If the problem still persists, there will be a hardware failure. I think you need to Keep checking the CDROM drive thoroughly. It's possible the CDROM is not functioning correctly.