Compaq Evo 510sff

HI guys, Had my Compaq Evo 510sff for a few years with no problems. Had Ubuntu installed on it and decided to put on W7. Trying to remove and reformat the HDD was a nightmare as it wouldn't let me do the operation. Took the HDD out and connected it as an external drive on my laptop and I was able to format the disc. I then replaced the HDD in the Evo and tried to install W7 OS but it didn't install. Went into boot to get it to boot from HDD but the drive was not showing up on the boot menu. I then tried to work round it but it still will not show up in boot. Removed it again and connected it to laptop and it shows up OK on that, replaced in Evo still with no luck. I then had an idea to re-install the ubuntu on the disc and to partition the disc but even that would only load up but would not install. Been back to it several times with no luck. Anyone got any ideas please? The Evo is a 510 sff with 2Gb P4 processor with 1.5Gb ram. I want to use this to play videos etc linked into my TV as a monitor and, if I can get it to install W7, I can network it from my main PC. I am waiting on another HDD to arrive and try that in the PC in case it is the HDD that is fried (can't see that somehow if it shows up as an external on the laptop. Not that clever with computers but know enough to get by. Thanks for looking.

because the drive is seen by your laptop then i don't see it being a drive problem. is it an ide or sata drive? have you connected both the power and data cables to it when in the desktop? check your getting power through the power cable your connecting to the hard drive/try a different one. try connecting to a different drive/data port on the motherboard if available. try using a different data cable to connect the drive to the motherboard. can't think of anything else to try really, but if you've tried all the above and it's still not seen in bios/at boot and your new hard drive is also not seen when it arrives, i'd be thinking the motherboards got a problem and needs replacing.

You should leave the HDD in the original machine as putting it into another machine can give the results you are experiencing.

Is this a D510sff (Small Form Factor)? Ref; http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quicksp…/11349_div.html

If so, start here;
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechS…EnvOID=1093#120
Particularly the BIOS Section. Once you get it running again, after the O/S install, the FIRST thing to install is the CHIPSET driver. http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechS…G_I20521-104339

Post back if the above doesn't help.

Has the HDD been formated ?

Thanks guys. I have done most of the above so I will await the arrival of my new HDD and see what happens. I did find a kind of work around using the F9 button and I will give it a try later when I can get to it. I will keep you posted.

Latest on my problems:- I tried the new HDD in the Evo and it showed up. I then replaced it with the original HDD and that also showed up. I then tried to boot from disc, on both drives and nothing happened. Dan Penny. You show the bios location and I have downloaded it on another PC. Can you please tell me what I do with it now with regards to the Evo please?

If you have downloaded the sp27532.exe file get it to the EVO machine (via a Thumbdrive, CD, etc), and then click on it. Follow the prompts if any.

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the instructions.

I did what you said and set the evo to boot from usb and nothing happened. I then opened all the boot options and tried again with no luck. I tried, yet again, to boot from CD and nothing.

I have downloaded the windows ISO for the 'Windows XP Setup disks for a floppy boot installation' from MS
(Windows XP Professional http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details…7-4FED408EA73F) but cannot get it to load to the floppy discs.
Can I put this ISO on to a usb stick and try to boot up from that or will that not work?

Thanks for your help,
Del.

I should have been more clear. I'll type up some details/instructions and return and post them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

First, if there is now a known good, machine recognized, HDD in the EVO;

On a working machine, you must use a Program that will turn your .ISO file into a bootable CD. (Your .ISO file IS the OPERATING SYSTEM, not any "enhancements/free trial" etc, right?) I use IMGBURN http://www.majorgeeks.com/ImgBurn_d4870.html or, http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/ImgB…load-27810.html.

NOTE: It's IMPORTANT to burn the CD at the RATE of the media. Look on the surface of the CD you're burning to and if it says 2X/4X set ImgBurn to burn at 4X.

On the first screen you see you can pick image > CD (data sheet icon to a CD with a red arrow circling around the surface). Then the next screen is where you SET THE BURN SPEED. (Lower right.) Then just click the icon and wait for it to burn, eject/close, verify and complete.

Once XP is loaded and the machine boots to the O/S etc;

Download the following and have it saved to a media type which you can transfer to the EVA. (CD would be best, or, USB Flashdrive, etc) XP should be loaded and running for these "updates".

As I don't have the detailed information about your exact hardware, I'm listing only the elements which should get you "up and running". If you need further assistance, post back with the details.

Go to;

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechS…EnvOID=1093#120

Download;

Bios (third one down) - sp23346.exe
REBOOT MACHINE WHEN INSTALLING

Chipset Driver - sp27532.exe
REBOOT MACHINE WHEN INSTALLING

USB Controller - sp24210.exe
REBOOT MACHINE WHEN INSTALLING

For the following, REBOOT if instucted;

Display - sp21171.exe
Graphics - sp31099.exe
Modem - sp29918.exe
Network (Intel PRO/1000) - sp33671.exe
Network (Current release Broadcom) - sp42471.exe
Multimedia (Audio) - sp27103.exe

(Apply in the above order)

Please let us know your results.

Hi Dan, Thanks again for your help. I do use IMG burn to put ISO on to disc but the comment about the slow burn speed was interesting, and something I have not done in the past. I will try what you suggest later today if I get a chance (busy redecorating kitchen) and I will let you know the out come. Again many thanks. Del.

Hiya Dj92, I see you are in very good hands with the help of Dan Penny, please continue to follow his instructions, from what I have seen he has you on the right track, may you have a good day. Jimbo1

Hi Dan, Sorry to be a pain but I followed the instructions you gave me and when I get into IMG Burn and click the image bottom right, first page, with the data sheet and CD(with red arrow) and then go on to find the file I want to write it will not show up to enable me to burn the image. I presume that the data sheet with red arrow that you described IS the bottom right image on the first screen? If so then I click on the image and I get the second screen up and set the writing speed to 4x but nowhere can I find the file to write. It is in my downloads, drive 'C' in documents and I also put it on a pen drive to try to find it this way but I cannot find the file anywhere. Dan what am I doing wrong please?

Have your .iso image file location handy so you know the PATH to it. (Desktop = C:\Documents and Settings\*your user name*\Desktop)

Image Burn's first screen; pick TOP LEFT of the six choices, (Write image file to disc). Then,,,,

Source Click the folder/magnifying glass icon and browse to your .iso file.

Destination Your optical burner. (Should already be chosen.)

Lower right, Settings This is where you choose the write speed for the CD media you are burning to.

Then just click the "Image sheet to CD" icon (bottom left) and wait for it to complete, open/close and verify, then you're done.

Thanks Dan, I will try that tomorrow and let you know the outcome. Your words are absolutely true:- "It's a good day when you learn something". Thanks again.