LSZ

For a Compaq V3000, is it possible to just format it how one would a regular desktop PC? Boot with an XP disk inside, delete partition, create, install onto it and get into the XP setup?

I've tried doing this but after the files are copied, it reboots and at the point where it goes into the "XP Setup" on a desktop for me, I'm taken to Compaq "PC Recovery" to do a destructive recovery.

TriggerFinger

Looks like you have a recovery partition. Did it show how many partitions you have when you tried to install XP? When it showed the PC Recovery thing.. did it give you options?

Me.. I would go on with the destructive recovery. Besides you are going to install XP from scratch anyway. I think the only downside with this is that it will set your system like how it was right out of the box (default settings and may be with a lot of unneeded software).

LSZ

Yea it did, it was a separate FAT partition of 6 or 9 gigs I think. I'm clearly not too familiar with laptops but was asked to reformat this. So would all the recovery files be on that partition? Because I was not given any of the original disks for this laptop.

I saw the recovery sticky on here. Is there any way to bypass this recovery system and do the re-install myself or should I just go with that?

TriggerFinger

Go with the Recovery option because it has all the drivers you need... no need to hunt down each one on the internet.

LSZ

New problem popping up for me:

Did the partition recovery first time. Upon rebooting, I'm getting an MBR error. So I went into recovery screen using a windows boot disk and onto the drive that everything would be installed onto (not the recovery partition) and did "fixmbr".

Tried the destructive recovery again and am once again getting the "MBR Error". Does the destructive recovery reset the fixmbr? Is there anything else I can do?

TriggerFinger

Run HDD diagnostic to test your hard drive. Use something like Hitachi drive Fitness test. Check out HDD Diags link on my sig for a list of diags tools that may be applicable to you (see brand of HDD). Get the ISO file and burn the image into a blank CD using a cd burner program like Nero or CDBurnerXP or ImgBurn.

LSZ

Just bringing this one back. I'll try that as well.

Another question.

Would just formatting the recovery partition be an option here? I have my own Windows XP disc and I would imagine all the drivers would be found online as well. So is this really needed?

Whenever I try just a straight format and XP re-install, it's the PC Recovery that interferes with it. After copying the required XP files, the computer will reboot and normally SHOULD go into the XP setup but this is where the recovery partition kicks in.

TriggerFinger

OK.. so you want to install XP instead (format the whole drive/partition)? Try DBAN to format the partition (link on my sig).

LSZ

Pretty much.

I don't care about whatever Compaq specific stuff was on this before. I just want XP back and to eventually get all the drivers (which I assume are on the HP site) to make this thing work.

Right now, this has:

unpartitioned space 68284 MB
C: Partition1 <PRESARIO_RP> [FAT32] 8032 MB <1239 MB free>

Whenever I try a regular format with the XP disc, that recovery partition interferes with it.


So the result of this will just be a bunch of unpartitioned space? Or will there still be that separate FAT drive? I'd rather just have all the space available for a standard NTFS format.

TriggerFinger

Your C: drive will disappear and also may be your recovery partition. Drive will be one whole blank none-partitioned space if that happens. You can partition it with the XP installation CD before you start installation (NTFS).

LSZ

Thanks. I appreciate the help.

I've just been worried about getting rid of the recovery partition but since I have an XP disc and drivers these days aren't too hard to come by, I was wondering whether it would be worth the risk to just get rid of it.

TriggerFinger

My own.. very own personal opinion... Yes I will take the risk. If I need it in the future I can always get recovery CD from Compaq for like $20. Check your model's support page and may be you can find a link on how to order the recovery CD (just in case).

I think $20 is not too much if you really need the item that you are paying for.

LSZ

DBan worked perfectly. It took a while but it did the job and re-installing XP was a breeze afterwards.

Thanks for the help.

TriggerFinger

Hey... good job with the formatting and installation. I am happy to know you got it solved.

Thank you for the update.