Operating System Not Found

I have a 1999 Compaq Presario 1278 notebook cpu. I stoped using it about two years ago. I don't remember what I was trying to do, but I remember inserting a floppy, then when ever I tried to start up the cpu the screen turned black and I got the message "Invalid System Disk. Replace disk then press any key." I recently attempted to start the cpu and got the same message. I found my way into the BIOS system and change some configurations around and was able to get a black screen saying "Operating System not found." I reset the defaults in the BIOS Setup Utility only to be returned to the original message, "Invalid System Disk. Replace disk then press any key." I contacted HP tech support through chat online and after going through all of their checks they informed me that I would need to purchase a retail version of an operating system such as Windows XP. Ok so I bought Windows XP, inserted it into my notebook, nothing changed. I chatted with HP tech support again who informed me now that it was a hard drive malfunction and that I would need to purchase a new hard drive. So I did. I have inserted the new hard drive correctly. The notebook now starts up and goes to a black screen and shows "Operating System Not Found." I contacted HP tech support again, this time the tech asked me to tell him if the light for the cd-rom drive was on. I explained to him that this model doesn't have a led indicator for the cd-rom. The tech then informed me that because Windows 98 was orginally on the notebook I will not be able to put Windows XP on the notebook and because the notebook is not reading my cd's (neither Windos XP nor the Emergency Restore Disk) I need to replace the cd-rom drive. ant this rate I will have spent as much money as buying a new laptop. Can someone aid me? It seems HP tech support is only suggesting that I spend money on something to get me off of the telephone or end my chat session without really trouble shooting the problem.

 

OK firstly, you did take the floppy out again

Now you have cd of xp? is that correct. and you want a fresh install? You have nothing you need to save on the laptop?
You know where bios is? change the boot order so that the comp boots from the cd first, insert cd and restart computer. If cd drive works it should bring you to windows set up.3

REMEMBER clean install will wipe any and all documents etc on the laptop

 

first a new cmos battery would be in order as the unit is 10years old.
it would be necessary to go to the manufacturer's site and see what drivers and updates are available for the unit.

http://search.hp.com/query.html?lan...&qt=Compaq+Presario+1278+notebook&la=en&cc=us

search here first

 

the battery seems to be fine. I changed the boot order and inserted the XP cd. still received the same message "Operating System not found."

 

in the bios is the correct date and time showing...in the bios did you scan for the hdd to show correct values.. is the xp setup on a cd or dvd disk? If on dvd it won't boot either.
which hdd do you have in the lappie the old or new hdd.

if old then try writting a new mbr use win 98 boot disk run to A: the type fdisk /mbr press enter..note space after after fdisk..

before you try to install xp go to the site and download last bios update and any drivers available for xp..i doubt there will be any.. but you never know...

recheck the cdrom drive in the bios is correct

recheck first boot order is cdrom it may have changed again

 

You did actually reboot once you changed the boot order?

 

i tried all of the suggestions to no avail