Hello guys/gals....I have a friend's computer which is a HP Pavilion 7915 and he don't have his recovery disks. So, when I boot up his computer all it telling me "can't find the OS"...which I knew that already. But, I insert the disk XP Pro (new OS) of mine and nothing is happening. Usually, I have no problems when I restore other computers but, I guessing that is boot may not be set from the CD, maybe its set floppy first, dunno?

Is there a way to get into the bios to set what order it is?

Try pressing F10 key at HP logo. It should bring up recovery partition.

Okay, btw, by hitting the "esc" I can load the BIOS but it is Password protected. I have unpluged the battery which should load the default values right?

If you mean the motherboard battery it will clear the CMOS. Many motherboards also have a distinct password jumper.

Yea, I looked for jumpes but didn't see any. Jumpers are usually by the CMOS battery correct?

Usually.

Clear CMOS is usually CCMS or CRTC

Password is usually PSWD

If you don't see this we can try to look up the mobo.

The computer is a HP Pavilion 7915 if that helps?

I got into the BIOS and wow...this computer is OLD!!!.....I have the boot sq. now for CD first but, nothing happening. It is 1.1GHz with like 128MB of Ram..lol

HP Pavilion 7915 Desktop PC (US/CAN)

Product Specifications

Product informationHP Pavilion 7915 Desktop PC (SW)

HP Pavilion Desktop PCs- Motherboard Specifications, TUSL-L (Hudson)

Clear RTC is next to the battery:

Clearing the CMOS settings
CAUTION: Do not change any jumper setting while the system is running. Damage to the motherboard may result.

The Clear RTC RAM (CMOSCLR solder points) jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) in CMOS. It also allows clearing of date, time, and system setup parameter memories in CMOS, by erasing the RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell batter powers the RAM data in CMOS, including system setup information such as system passwords.
1.Turn off the PC and unplug the power cord.
2.Locate the two solder points labeled "CMOSCLR" near the battery (refer to the system board layout diagram above).
3.Bridge the two solder points with a flat bladed screwdriver.
4.Plug in the power cord and turn on the PC.
5.Enter the BIOS setup to change BIOS settings.
Clearing the CMOS settings
The Clear RTC RAM (CMOSCLR solder points) allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. It also allows clearing of date, time, and system setup parameter memories in CMOS, by erasing the RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in CMOS, including system setup information.
CAUTION: Do not change any jumper setting while the computer is on. Damage to the motherboard can result.

1.Turn off the PC and unplug the power cord.
2.Use a small screwdriver to cross the CMOSCLR solder point pins 2-3.
3.Start the PC and press F1 to enter the BIOS setup and change the BIOS settings.




If that does not clear the password I see no other option on board.

Do you have another boot disk you can try?

What exactly happens?

What error do you get?