| Author |
Message |
Kevin
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2000 - 4:06 am: | |
Hello ,
I am attempting to install a new hardrive in an HP 7320 . I got the drive in (a Western Digital 10.2 gig) and used the floppy that came with it . I had to install E-Z bios and it said that this computer could only use 8.4 gigs .
The problem is that I need to install windows and I cannot get the restore disk that came with this computer to work . It says configuration error and dumps me back to the A: prompt . This computer did not come with a win 95 disk only this restore cd . Does anyone know how I can install this ?
Thank you in advance |
Hugh Townley
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2000 - 1:56 pm: | |
Kevin,
I recently reinstated a computer from a restore disk. I had to change the setting in the bios so that the system booted from the CD. I then restarted the machine, it booted from the CD, formatted the hard drive and reinstalled all of the software.
I hope that this helps.
Hugh |
Kevin
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2000 - 12:25 am: | |
Hugh ,
I tried that already and it did not work . I spent a big part of the day today screwing around with this thing and I am convinced that this problem is some sort of conflict with the HP . I am now trying to find a way to get rid of E-Z bios but so far I have had no luck . Formatting does not get rid of it and after looking at Western Digitals forums I am not the only one that has had trouble with this . Thank you anyway for the suggestion .
Thanx ,
Kevin |
Trish
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2000 - 3:36 am: | |
Here's my experience...I'm just cutting and pasting from a past post, so it might not seem specific to you.
Do you have the most recent BIOS upgrade? Actually, I can't imagine HP putting in a new motherboard and not updating the BIOS, but from experience, some of the techs they send out are certainly lacking. I had a similar problem with a 7xxx. (can't remember exactly, but I believe it may have been a 73xx) One of they guys they sent out with a motherboard, did NOT even know what a chipset was!
Anyway, The PC wouldn't accept a new hard drive and sent the machine into a fury of error messages, the last being CALL HP. Having done my research on their site for motherboard setup & info, I found that the board in the PC was NOT one of the only two that they put in that machine and could find no clue as to what board it was to try a bios flash. 3 visits later, having told them the same info as my initial call, eg. wrong mobo, no id...no flash, please bring correct board, etc. the board was replaced, bios flashed and guess what? Same problem. How? They were as stumped as me. Tech said he had seen this once before but no clue why, after board change and updates, the problem still existed. Sounds awfully secretive to me. Just where is this info being stored? Anyway...
-original mobo needed bios update to recognize new hard drive or any other newly added peripheral as part of the HP system, incl. existing components.
-no update available
-upgrade mobo and flash the bios
-same problem stumps ALL
-HP sends out a BRAND NEW upgraded to 8430 PC FREE of charge.
So, I would research the mobo in it, the exact model, that it even belongs in there, do any bios flash updates and go from there. I sure hope the warranty is still going. If so, I'd say they have replaced enough and it is time for a new PC! They will upgrade to the closest, still in production PC, however...I threw in a little rant about, how much would it cost me to go ahead and upgrade to the 84xx, because my roommate had one and just could not say enough about it. They said NO problem, NO charge and sent the 84xx.
So if you find no solution, make sure you leave this in HP's lap. Hope this helps.
If you have to deal with HP, try the guys in Boise Idaho. (Their headquarters and very genuine people)
Go to http://hardwarehell.com/discus/messages/31/244.html?SundaySeptember2619990325pm to se the full thread. |
Tom
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2000 - 3:39 pm: | |
This is not a bios issue!!!
Lots of bios' have the 8.4 limit. That is why WD includes the EZ-BIOS software. I use it with my generic pentium and 10.1 WD disk with no problem. The bios reports 8.4 space but the EZ-BIOS (which loads from the boot record of the disk after the POST) replaces the disk access bios code in memory at boot time. The only limitation if you boot from another disk is that your bios will only be able to reference the first 8.4 GB of space on the drive.
I think that your problem is that you are trying to install Windows from a restore disk to a completely blank hard disk that never had Windows on it in the first place. Bill Gates doesn't permit that. You need to get a useful Windows boot record on the disk before you "restore" the OS. In the absence of a retail Windows install media, you can borrow someone's Windows 95 hard drive (or use your old one) and copy the contents of the C: partition to your new drive using that wonderful (really) Western Digital software. Then you can either use it as is or "restore" from your Windows disk(s) for a fresh OS install. Remember the service packs after you are done! |
Dave
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2000 - 4:05 pm: | |
Try using the disk manager and fdisk to make a boot partition that is less than 8.4 GB. Partition/Boot magic might be an even better choice. Then boot from a Win98 boot disk and run the restore cd. OR, better yet, ditch that *&^%$# restore disk and install from a copy of Win98SE. |
Kevin
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2000 - 12:46 am: | |
I have convinced my friend to pony up and upgrade to 98 so I will shortly have a windows install disk to work with . I am certain that I can now get this thing running , and stop gritting my damn teeth ! My sincere thanks to everyone who offered suggestions !
Thanx |
Elric
| | Posted on Friday, October 5, 2001 - 10:39 pm: | |
Originally Win95 was only able to see a 2 gig partition. |
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