Fixed Disk Parameter Table or BIOS error

[randy]

Okay, so I was browsing around the web the other day.  My notebook completely locked up, and I had to hold in the power button for 10 seconds to do a hard shut down.  A few hours later, I go to turn it on and I get this message after seeing the Compaq logo for about 5 minutes, along with three loud beeps.

Fixed Disk Parameter Table or BIOS Error
System Halted

So, I pop in my Windows XP Installation CD, trying to reinstall Windows, and I get the same thing, Compaq logo, Three beeps, then the error message.

So next I pop in Knoppix STD.  Same thing, I can't do anything at all with my system.  Anybody know what is going on and how I can fix it?  Thanks!

[neb1211]

It sounds like your hard drive could have failed.  It could also be that your partitions somehow got messed up.

Try taking the hard drive out of the laptop and sticking it in another computer.  Then run the manufacturer's diagnostic utility.  If your hard drive passes the tests then try deleting all partitions on the hard drive and then repartitioning it.  If that doesn't work then let us know.

[randy]

Okay... I will do that.  It happened on a Compaq Armada E500, if that helps.

[randy]

A side note.... no diagnostic utility came with the PC, as I did not buy it directly from the manufacturer.  Should I just totally swipe the drive clean on another computer considering there isn't much important data on there?  I have a Windows XP install disc.

[neb1211]

You can download the hard drive diagnostics from the hard drive manufacturers web site.

[DevilMB3017]

If you have another laptop drive, try a different drive. If the sytem still halts, its a BIOS error.  If its a BIOS error, you either have to RMA it or your SOL...sorry man.

[neb1211]

And good luck trying to RMA it if the laptop is out of warrentee.

[aggie24]

Okay, so I was browsing around the web the other day. My notebook completely locked up, and I had to hold in the power button for 10 seconds to do a hard shut down. A few hours later, I tried to turn it on and I got this message after seeing the Compaq logo for about 2 minutes, along with three loud beeps.


“Fixed Disk Parameter Table or BIOS Error
System Halted”


I tried to change RAM but still same message. It happened on a Compaq Armada E500. No diagnostic utility came with the PC, as I did not buy it directly from the manufacturer. I don’t have another laptop so I can not try my hard drive on other laptop. My lap top has Toshiba hard drive MK1214. What is RMA?

Anybody know what is going on and how I can fix it? Thanks!