I am a novice and am working with my son's somewhat cobbled together computer. He has moved some of the hardware around in an attempt to "build a better computer".
When I start the computer the screen comes up with all "dashes" and a curser in the upper left. I have tryed to use control, alt, delete and the only change is that the screen shows COMPAQ in the field, then a wide blue band at the bottem, then the screen returns to----as described earlier.

He is concerned that the motherboard was damaged (static electricity) at some time in his attempt at "building better". My guess is that line of thinking may be overreaction. Especially since the screen shows something. Can anyone advise us how to move forward and troubleshoot such symptoms?

Do you get a BIOS POST? i.e. a list of RAM; drives; etc.?

Make sure the RAM & Processor are seated correctly.

If you get the Compaq screen try pressing either F2 or "delete" to see if you can enter your BIOS setup.

Thank you so much. I am trying each of your suggestions individually to retain some "control". So far depressing the F2 and delete keys on reboot were not successful. Yet, with removing the ram and reinstalling, then checking the cards for "seating" I have been successful in getting a well defined COMPAC without the dashes in the background. I will continue further to look for the BIOS screen. What do I do if and when the BIOS screen appears?

What happens with the compaq screen? Dose everything stop there?
Are there any Options on that screen?

Do you have a hard drive with an operating system installed?

Can you identify the original computer model & or the motherboard make & model?

Can you locate the battery & jumpers on the motherboard?

Jephree-------The reddish Compaq stays for about 10 seconds then the screen reverts to what I might call a typical DOS screen with the blinking curser in the upper left corner. No signs of the BIOS setup/post of which you make reference.

Do you have any further observations?

Jephree-----My son says that the operating system is Windows XP. I am going looking for the computer/motherboard make and model. The question about the battery and jumpers on the motherboard is abit of a puzzler. Having said that I will try to flesh out your answers. Thanks..............

Do you have the XP CD?

Also you might want to let us know what exactly the hardware changes were?

I found a Toshiba 3volt battery in one corner. I have a voltammeter, can I remove this battery and test it for viability?

Are the jumpers simple to identify.

Thanks again for your expertise.

the jumpers should be in close proximity to the battery.
usually just 3 pins with a plastic sleeve "shorter" covering say: pin 1&2.
if you see this: remove battery: move the sleeve from 1&2 then cover 2&3.
leave it like that for a few minuets; then reset the jumper to 1&2 then replace battery.
then reboot.

some older boards have switches instead. do you see switches?

Jephree-----I am looking for our XP CD. The Make and Model questions---Compaq Pressario and the motherboard is the original with what appears to be an ID of BMW made in China.

Regarding what changes-------------my son is saying that any changes were only to remove cd and dvd drives, ram, then cards thinking he would rebuild differently and then putting the components back he found them. It was working in that config.