Compaq Portable II system discs

[rossd]

Sometime back I acquired a Compaq portable II. I have only just now gotten around to trying to get it all set up. The main issue is that I do not have any diag or system discs for it. My attempt to generate a 360K DOS 3.3 disc have been floored by either the lack of a 360K disc, a duff 5.25in driver, or total misunderstanding of the format command(!)

If anyone could help source the Compaq OS and diag discs it would be most appreciated. Pointers to any downloads and hints as the the best way to get this on to a 360K disk most appreciated.

Would I be made to try and get a 1.2Mb floppy or even a 3.5in drive in there? (I would like to keep it original if I could get programs on to it.

Cheers David

[nige the hippy]

I've got them, but beleive it or not I downloaded the setups from compaq (who are now someone else) as self extracting disk images for either 3.5 or 5.25" disks. If you do a search on theis forum, you might find an old post, otherwise PM me and I will email you the ones I have.

Got the page.... Thanks dongfeng,

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/obsolete_diagnostics.html

[rossd]

What a quick respose! Cheers. I think the issue I am suffering from is trying to write the 360K discs using a 1.2Mb drive. Is it at all possible or am I on a hiding to nothing using this route?

David

[ahm]

I don't imagine you'll have very much success.
Long story short: the 1.2MB drive writes a much thinner magnetic stripe than does the 360K.

BTW, you might update your profile to display your approximate location.
We're scattered across the globe, but are more likely to help a neighbor. :)

[nige the hippy]

mine worked with a 3.5" drive with no mods (except a drive-bay adapter) you could even use a drive powered by another machine, and bring the ribbon cable across. I must change the drive back to a 5.25" on the machine though, as I got a set of proper compaq diagnostics disks for 99p off EBAY.

then..

I'm sure you'll find DOS boot disks to download without a problem.

Then fdisk, & format C: /s etc....

[rossd]

I should be able to get hold of a couple of 1.2mb drives to facilitate install. The links are the main thing. I'll get back to let you know how I get on. Probably a job for the weekend.

I'm in York, UK. Updated my profile.

Cheers

David

[nige the hippy]

Well, if you don't get sorted, I could probably copy you a couple and stick them in the post.

:curse: Note to all put ...... your location in! you could be next door!

I have some 5.25" 360k drives, old, but still boxed, at a fiver plus postage (which is not dead cheap as they're cast chassis) which I'm going to test TODAY, before ebaying them. if you're interested pm me, I will test them, as although they're boxed, one of two I sent to dongfeng didn't work properly.

[fred3rd]

Gentleman, I'm having the same problem. I can't locate set up disk. I tried (repeatedly) to use the link Nige posted, but it only takes me to a brick wall, ouch. I downloaded one in Spanish but don't know what to open it with (setup.dsk). I really love my Lugable and want to get it functioning. It is the one with dual 5 1/4 drives. I tried booting to a dos 3.2 disk but it tells me there is a fdd controller error insert setup disk.

Any help or links would be greatly appreciated.

[chuckcmagee]

ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp0000-0500/

You want SP0308.zip or SP0316.zip on that ftp file list

[fred3rd]

Thank You Chuck. You’re a gentleman and a scholar and a credit to us Geeks.

I'm still getting the fdd controler error, so I guuess in the next day or two I'll have to open her up and possibly do some surgery. If the controller cards are the long ISA variety and the controller ribbons are standard 34 pin, I'm covered. If not, we'll see when I get in there. I may have to cannibalize a 286 or 386 I have laying around.

Thanks Again,