[Answered] Compaq Armada 3500 Bootup Problem! - PC Help Forum - Free Computer Help, Windows, Hardware, Software and more!

Segadude3000 · #1 03-22-2008

whenever i boot this Compaq Armada 3500 (Laptop, With Windows 1995, Yes I have a "Universal Boot Disk") it shows the Compaq logo for about 5 - 10 Minutes, then I take the disk out when supposed to, then it says "Non - System Disk or Disk Error, Replace and Strike any key when ready" and I put the disk back in... then it says "Starting Windows 1995". Then it says the Microsoft 1983 - 1995 junk, THEN IT COMES TO A COMMAND PROMP, WHAT IS THAT!!!!!! AND CANT GET BY IT!!!!! HELP ME PLEASE!!! IM DESPERATE FOR THIS HELP GUYS!!! HELP!!!!!!!

Jelly Bean · #2 03-22-2008

Hello and welcome to PC Help Forum.

These links may help.

How to Create a Windows 95 Startup Disk in MS-DOS

How to Install Old MS-DOS Tools in Windows 95

Zachary · #3 03-23-2008

This laptop has the ability to run Windows XP or 2000 if you wanted it to, just upgrade the memory (if it isn't already) to atleast 64mb for XP or 32mb for 2000, though for either you should go all the way to the max, which for the Armada 3500 is 192mb.
I run XP Home Edt on my laptop, which has a P2 366mhz processor and 192mb RAM, just fine.

I'd recommend upgrading if you'll be using this regularly, you can get Win2k Upgrade disks fairly cheap at ebay

Jelly Bean · #4 03-23-2008

At max of 128 of RAM it is going to be so slow.
Lack of CPU speed it mite as well stay at windows 95 or 98.

It may possibly take 256 mb RAM but still not going to run at any great speed especialy if hooked up to internet.

Zachary · #5 03-23-2008

It takes up to 192mb ram, as for speed, I run XP Home on my 366mhz/192mb laptop pretty fast, granted I couldn't do anything "resource heavy" on it, but certainly anything I could've done on Windows95/98 I can do on XP Home on it.
In this case though, I'd recommend Win2k, it will run a lot faster than XP and is still supported by Microsoft