Old Compaq Computer Not Working...Bad Button or Just Bad?

Question

I have an old Compaq Presario with Windows 98 SE Installed. We only use it for home files, games etc. Now, it will not turn on or off using the button...It has to be unplugged and then when plugged in, the green light comes on the computer and I get the Compaq logo and a blinker line on the monitor screen. I've tried the dummy buttons alt, ctrl, del and the Compaq Restore (and the Windows disk) , and I've tried typing on the dos screen (if thats what it is) but nothing at all happens other than the whirring sound of the cds. Could the button be stuck or has it kicked the bucket. If so, where can unusable pcs be taken and will anyone be able to access my info on the hard drive? Sorry so many questions...any help is appreciated!

Answer 1

Many of the new buttons are actually run by software. In other words, the computer has to be working for the buttons to work properly. It sounds like your motherboard has died, likely in the disk controller area since you see the logo (so the BIOS works). You don't seem to be able to boot any kind of disk, though, so the system is just waiting for your disks to send it the programs -- and that never happens.

If you feel like trying a few things, boot into the BIOS editor when it starts to power up (my Compaq uses the F10 key, but check your manual). Go through the screens and make sure that when it boots it checks ALL of the drives -- floppy, CD, and hard drive, and in that order. Many BIOS are set to ignore the floppy and even the CD because it boots faster -- but then you can't run the Compaq Restore disk. This is also a good test of the hard disk/CD controller, since the floppy uses a different controller. If you find that it is just the hard disk controller that's the problem, you can buy replacement cards that plug into your motherboard and run the disks that way. Sort of a waste for an old bucket of bolts like yours, but still cheaper than a whole new computer. I'm sure one of the neighborhood kids could install it for you cheaper than CompUSA...

Most communities want you to recycle your electronics these days, so call the local computer store to find out where to recycle.

Yes -- anyone who gets their hands on your hard drive will be able to see all of the old data. If you are going to recycle the computer, remove the old hard drive. You can even put it in your new computer, reformat it, and use it as another storage drive. If nothing else, put it in and do a low-level format. That will wipe the disk enough that a criminal will just move on to the next drive. If you don't know how to do that, don't install it -- just smash it to pieces with a sledge hammer.

Good Luck!