When I tried to start up from hibernation, the computer goes through the Red startup window then goes immediately to black screen with small cursor in the left top corner. After reading posts, determined to start up in the safe mode. Now what?! The very next screen says:

Single stepping configuration files...
INSTALL=A:\XMAN.EXE (Y,N,R)?

(I am now using my mac to access the internet as I can't do anything on the compaq).

Help! Project at school due! I will need-step by-step directions on getting this sucker to work I fear.

Just to verify: trying to start in Safe Mode you were tapping the F8 key after the Compaq logo?

What you are seeing is not Safe Mode but a DOS prompt. Did this computer have an older operating system on it at one point in time? At this point it is definitely not seeing 2K.

What is the exact model and # of Compaq? Do you have the 2K Recovery Disk(s)?