Martin Haughton
asked on
COMPAQ DeskPro 2000 5166 MMX
This system has a Seagate HDD 2.1 GB and in PWR ON results are Memory OK, Error 163 - Date and Time not set, Screen shows F1: Boot (highlighted in blue), F10: Setup i(n lower right corner)! On clicking either F1 OR F10 the messages read - Non System Disk or Disk Error, Replace and Strike any key when ready! I would hate to buy these expensive HDDs only to get the same result. Please advise me with your expertise: knowledge and accuracy! Thanks!!
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First problem you seem to have is a defunct CMOS battery. Often PCs of this era used a small lithium cell, often a CR2032. These are easy enough to find, and only cost a couple of dollars. Usually they just clip out of a holder. You might even be able to find one in a junked computer somewhere.
This battery keeps the clock running, and stores the CMOS settings, since it is flat, it can no longer supply power, which is the reason for the errors at bootup.
Once you have the cell replaced, hit F10 at bootup and check that the hard drive shows in the BIOS setup screen. You may need to press a button to "detect drives" or similar.