
Originally Posted by
jstrike
If your BIOS is hosed then reinstalling the OS won't make a bit of difference. Based on the fact that its getting to the windows boot screen and that you were able to install a new OS on the hard drive then I'd say that the bios is probably OK. As for installing Vista, if you're laptop is 3 years old then that was a mistake. I would seriously recommend putting XP back on as it will run much better and you won't have to worry about Vista not having drivers for your old hardware...which is probably the AGP issue you're seeing in safe.
Latest:
Accessed the Notebook's drive w/o an OS install yet.
Will not use Vista.
After an online chat w/ HP BIOS looks OK as jstrike suggests.
Defrag and CHKDSK done on the pulled drive.
Discovered accessing some essential files not allowed (orig userprofile?).
Needed to get to Video file in My Docs for a current edit job.
Can't.
Will attempt a copy to external HD for access.
Will search for that AGP440 driver that SafeMode stops at continually.
Then reinstall this drive and update this.
Other fixes welcome.