how do I install an OS on my compaq deskpro400? It came with out an operating system?

[Blu4door]

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I bought a Compaq DeskPro 400, I didn't know it would come without an operating system..all I can get to come on the screen is the C:..I suppose the cd-rom drive isn't working because it needs drivers..I am on a fixed income and can't afford to pay Compaq to send me recovery disk (they want $40.00). Where can I go to get all of the down loads..and how do I install these? Please help.

[renegade600]

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I bought a Compaq DeskPro 400, I didn't know it would come without an operating system..all I can get to come on the screen is the C:..I suppose the cd-rom drive isn't working because it needs drivers..I am on a fixed income and can't afford to pay Compaq to send me recovery disk (they want $40.00). Where can I go to get all of the down loads..and how do I install these? Please help.

You will be better off paying the 40 bucks. To purchase a new, full version, operating system will be upt to 300 bucks depending upon the verson. That is the only way to be legal. If you download it off the internet, first, it will be illegal, second, you are taking a chance of catching a virus or trojan that could possibly destroy your computer and/or get all of your personal information.

Finally, is the computer new or used, if used, you need to talk to the whoever sold you the computer and find out what they did. If you can only get to c drive, then there is a chance, depending of what is on the recovery disk, that it will not work.

[Jim Smith]

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I bought a Compaq DeskPro 400, I didn't know it would come without an operating system..all I can get to come on the screen is the C:..I suppose the cd-rom drive isn't working because it needs drivers..I am on a fixed income and can't afford to pay Compaq to send me recovery disk (they want $40.00). Where can I go to get all of the down loads..and how do I install these? Please help.

As I understand it, one of the desirable features of a recovey disk(s) is that they also contain application software such as MS Office or Word or whatever and would have all the of drivers your hardware would need, given it has not been upgraded.

If you just buy the OS, that is all you get. What did Compaq say was included on the recovery disk?

You can download from www.bootdisk.com, or elsewhere, a W98 boot disk with CD-ROM support, boot, and do directory searches to get a better idea of what is on the hard drive and find out of the CD-ROM is usable. If you see a c:\ prompt I assume there is more than just boot files on the c:\ drive.
I think you can buy a legal copy of W98SE for $60.

There must be millions of people who have W95 or W98 that they no longer use.

[renegade600]

I forgot to mentoned, you might be able to get your os from ebay.

[jerry4dos]

If the BOOTDISK that Jim Smith recommended doesn't get your CDROM up and working, be aware that some Compaq (and now some HP) computers stored some of their BIOS information on the hard drive. Depending on how "blank" your hard drive is, you may need Compaq's special floppy disk to restore that part of the BIOS. Just something to keep in the back of your mind.

Jerry