Trying to resurrect my outdated Presario. I don't know if the CD drive is bad, but the Hard Drive went bad and I got a new (used) one, however the drive wont be detected on my operational computer when connected. Is this drive probably bad too? I can't get to the BIOS on the old Presario because I hear you need a boot partition for a COMPAQ, which that Hard drive is gone and it doesn't look like I can get anything on this one. Should I admit defeat, or do you have any Ideas?well, without the setup partition, you cannot get into the BIOS setup. (this is simply awful DESIGN! I mean, my 286 could get into it's CMOS setup without a disk...)

anyway, you didn't provide an exact model number- a google TELLS me that it's probably a 5140.

There are references to a "setup disk", a FLOPPY disk that could be used to access the CMOS screens.

Compaq thankfully has a GOOD page of files relating to that model:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=20&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=93092&lang=en

try the two items listed at the bottom, titled "system management".

The floppy drive is also not installed. Do you think it would be worth while to pick one of those up as well?You can get to the BIOS on those old Compaq's, I had a few and they are a PIA.  When you see the red flashing block in the upper right hand corner of the screen, tap the F10 key.  I think you see if just prior to the red Compaq splash screen.