I have a Compaq Armada 3500. Has a problem where on boot up, after Compaq logo, would get 'invalid system disk'. No floppy disk was in the drive. I had to insert a startup disk to get into set up menue- where it ask you to 1) Start with cd rom support 2)No cd rom support ....et.
If I choose with cd rom support- and type setup at a prompt get the message 'Drive E: not ready Abort, Retry, Fail?
I guess my start up disk cannot get the cd rom to run.
So- if I can get into BIOS setup, I can change it to boot from the CD rom first, than A drive. Problem is I cant get into BIOS set up. Note: I have a Dell Optiplex G1 that when I start it up before Windows see at the top right corner F2=setup. My friend has a note book "Fujitsu" and that one has the same thing and they can go into BIOS setup.
Has anyone had this problem? I have the reference manual and it says its F10 but that dosent work. I checked the post that list all the BIOS hot keys and they didnt work and not just on the 'not Workng COMPAQ ARMADA 3500 but on MY COMPAQ ARMADA 3500. I have an Armada too that is working.
What should I do to load Windows in the other note book. I have the CD ROM and key for Windows 98se.

Hi rbcopytech,
Sorry about the delay in responding to your post.

We have a staff of techs who have a wide variety of skills and will be able to help you with your problem, this is not my area of expertise, one of the folks who can help you will be along shortly.

Thank you

Cart

Just to add to my first post. If I purchase another compaq armada 3500 with ME installed on the hard drive and install that hard drive in the Compaq armada that not working, will that get it going.

Note: My friend told me he is going to let me install the hard drive from my armada into his Fujitsu (if its compatible) and use his computer to get mine going- Any way any help appreciated.

I have found that the older compaqs will not go into set up with a key press, you need a floppy. I got help at HP and got this link for the down load.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSuppo
rt/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=3 21957&prodSeriesI
d=96223&prodNameId=96627&swEnvOID=19&s
wLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=PSG_I80
93-22639

This got me into set up. Enjoy.