Reformatting Aftermath...please help.

[TravoD]

Long story ahead, sorry. I recently bought a Gateway solo 9500 from a buddy. The OS was a pirated version of WIN2000 PRO. I wanted to format the HD and install my legal version of XP via an upgrade from a full version of '98. When i attempted to format the HD by booting the Computer from the '98 or XP CDs i got nothing but a normal startup. After trying several different things i decided to try a 3rd party Formatting program. I ran it and when i was complete my computer rebooted, went to the Gateway splash-screen and then to a blank screen with a flashing cursor. I can not use this cursor in anyway, ie. typing does nothing but cause the sys speaker to beep. I have since tried to start using the 3 different boot discs for '98 with no different results. I have tried to go into the BIOS to change my boot sequence to boot from the Floppy(it is currently set to cd/dvd drive) but i can not change these options. I see a message in the Bios that says "If any items require changes, please consult your system Supervisor." I don't know how to get past this restriction in the BIOS. If anyone could help with any of my problems it would be greatly appreciated.


Heres to hoping i haven't screwed up my laptop beyond all repair.
Travis

 

[GripS]

can you contact your buddy and see if he password protected the bios? On a desktop to by-pass this would be to clear the 'CMOS' by moving a jumper on the motherboard. Easy on a desktop. Pain in the arse on a laptop.

 

[TravoD]

can you contact your buddy and see if he password protected the bios? On a desktop to by-pass this would be to clear the 'CMOS' by moving a jumper on the motherboard. Easy on a desktop. Pain in the arse on a laptop.

Yes i can contact him for sure, but it will be a few days down the road. Thanks for the advice. I was gonna try that myself, but i can find no documentation on how to clear the CMOS in the manual, although i could just gut the thing and look for the jumper..lol. Also if anyone knows how to change from user mode to whatever the top-level user mode is in the BIOS please let me know. I may already know the password. The BIOS is Phoenix 4.0 or 4.4 can't honestly remember at the moment.

Thanks again