What exact model of Presario ? Knowing the exact board number may help find the BIOS. Should be a sticker behind the audio ports that gives the exact board number.
Found at least two IPISB-CU boards, 644016-001 rev 1 and 656846-002 rev 2.
Those boards are made by Intel or Pegatron and they do not give out BIOS so only the Compaq OEM bios will work in them AFAIK. Need more info !!

added: some HP Pavilions used the same boards: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03421869
and this archive lists the CPU's supported: http://web.archive.org/web/20210624090837/htt … ument/c02980014
it does list these: Core i5-2400 (Sandy Bridge) quad core, Core i5-2400s (Sandy Bridge) quad core.....

added2: the HP site software search was buggered but managed to find these for software and BIOS:
BIOS: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfserv … mId/cp-102192-1
and the link to software "See all drivers for this product" does work...but
NOTE: the BIOS flash is only for Windows 7, choosing Windows 8 or 10 does not give a BIOS update in the software list.

Horun wrote on 2022-08-27, 15:10:

What exact model of Presario ? Knowing the exact board number may help find the BIOS. Should be a sticker behind the audio ports […]
Show full quote

What exact model of Presario ? Knowing the exact board number may help find the BIOS. Should be a sticker behind the audio ports that gives the exact board number.
Found at least two IPISB-CU boards, 644016-001 rev 1 and 656846-002 rev 2.
Those boards are made by Intel or Pegatron and they do not give out BIOS so only the Compaq OEM bios will work in them AFAIK. Need more info !!

added: some HP Pavilions used the same boards: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03421869
and this archive lists the CPU's supported: http://web.archive.org/web/20210624090837/htt … ument/c02980014
it does list these: Core i5-2400 (Sandy Bridge) quad core, Core i5-2400s (Sandy Bridge) quad core.....

added2: the HP site software search was buggered but managed to find these for software and BIOS:
BIOS: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfserv … mId/cp-102192-1
and the link to software "See all drivers for this product" does work...but
NOTE: the BIOS flash is only for Windows 7, choosing Windows 8 or 10 does not give a BIOS update in the software list.

Ok, so the board is 644016-001 Rev 0B
I assume that an installer for Win7 should theoretically still run in Win10. Ik it worked for my Dell Precision T3400 when I updated the bios on it, and its an older system.

I think I have used winflash in the past back when I was playing around with pentium 4 and 939 stuff. Might work here?

I think hiren’s boot cd has a utility for dos. You may be able to edit the iso to include the bin in the flash program directory.

Or just make them a dos boot cd and put uniflash and the bin on it. Send them the iso and tell em to burn it. Or flash it to a usb stick with rufus?

Sphere478 wrote on 2022-08-28, 00:47:

I think I have used winflash in the past back when I was playing around with pentium 4 and 939 stuff. Might work here?

I think hiren’s boot cd has a utility for dos. You may be able to edit the iso to include the bin in the flash program directory.

Or just make them a dos boot cd and put uniflash and the bin on it. Send them the iso and tell em to burn it. Or flash it to a usb stick with rufus?

This system is a bit new for anything DOS. We're looking at possibly 2009, 2010 ish for the manufacture date of his system.

Haha, I know little of the most recent 15 years of computer hardware

Alistar1776 wrote on 2022-08-28, 00:43:

Ok, so the board is 644016-001 Rev 0B
I assume that an installer for Win7 should theoretically still run in Win10. Ik it worked for my Dell Precision T3400 when I updated the bios on it, and its an older system.

Ok that is a the early version board.
The flasher might work under Win10, depends on the flasher and if it checks for OS version. Might be why it states under Requirements "You must have a Microsoft Windows 7 operating system."
You need to help them figure out what BIOS version they have. If already at 7.16 then it will not help, most likely being an early Rev it is not at that level but you never know.
Also this is a HP bios not a Compaq bios so it also may not flash because of that variable. The BIOS version numbers may also not match even if same board (Compaq version vs HP version).
If it does flash it probably has a HP logo not a Compaq logo, make sure they understand that aspect.
Do not forget: Flashing a BIOS can brick a board even if the proper flash so you need to find out a bit more info before even attempting....
added: this bios does not any CPU support over whatever the previous update version was (probably some 7.xx) per the .rtf
"Enhancement/Fixes:
- Resolves blue screen error (7B) after pressing Ctrl+Home keystroke combination.
- Adds support for 'S4/S5 Wake on LAN'."

Alistar1776 wrote on 2022-08-28, 00:43:

Horun wrote on 2022-08-27, 15:10:

What exact model of Presario ? Knowing the exact board number may help find the BIOS. Should be a sticker behind the audio ports […]
Show full quote

What exact model of Presario ? Knowing the exact board number may help find the BIOS. Should be a sticker behind the audio ports that gives the exact board number.
Found at least two IPISB-CU boards, 644016-001 rev 1 and 656846-002 rev 2.
Those boards are made by Intel or Pegatron and they do not give out BIOS so only the Compaq OEM bios will work in them AFAIK. Need more info !!

added: some HP Pavilions used the same boards: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03421869
and this archive lists the CPU's supported: http://web.archive.org/web/20210624090837/htt … ument/c02980014
it does list these: Core i5-2400 (Sandy Bridge) quad core, Core i5-2400s (Sandy Bridge) quad core.....

added2: the HP site software search was buggered but managed to find these for software and BIOS:
BIOS: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfserv … mId/cp-102192-1
and the link to software "See all drivers for this product" does work...but
NOTE: the BIOS flash is only for Windows 7, choosing Windows 8 or 10 does not give a BIOS update in the software list.

Ok, so the board is 644016-001 Rev 0B
I assume that an installer for Win7 should theoretically still run in Win10. Ik it worked for my Dell Precision T3400 when I updated the bios on it, and its an older system.

Compatibility Mode might help, but I wouldn't be surprised if you end up having to install Win7 to do the update - proprietary BIOS updates tend to be annoyingly picky.

Horun wrote on 2022-08-28, 01:59:

Ok that is a the early version board. The flasher might work under Win10, depends on the flasher and if it checks for OS version […]
Show full quote

Alistar1776 wrote on 2022-08-28, 00:43:

Ok, so the board is 644016-001 Rev 0B
I assume that an installer for Win7 should theoretically still run in Win10. Ik it worked for my Dell Precision T3400 when I updated the bios on it, and its an older system.

Ok that is a the early version board.
The flasher might work under Win10, depends on the flasher and if it checks for OS version. Might be why it states under Requirements "You must have a Microsoft Windows 7 operating system."
You need to help them figure out what BIOS version they have. If already at 7.16 then it will not help, most likely being an early Rev it is not at that level but you never know.
Also this is a HP bios not a Compaq bios so it also may not flash because of that variable. The BIOS version numbers may also not match even if same board (Compaq version vs HP version).
If it does flash it probably has a HP logo not a Compaq logo, make sure they understand that aspect.
Do not forget: Flashing a BIOS can brick a board even if the proper flash so you need to find out a bit more info before even attempting....

I know current bios version is 7.03 03/29/2011 and upon boot, it shows the Compaq logo, so it may need the compaq bios?

This .ROM has a file date of 10/05/2011, that is not the ROM creation date, just the file date.
Also the i3-2100 came out about same time as the i5-2500 (actually a month later). From wiki: i3-2100: 2011-02-20, i5-2500: 2011-01-09 so makes no sense that the current bios does not support both IMHO.
Ask them what exactly the numbers on the new CPU. The S-spec may be important but I think there could be a different reason (65watt for i3 vs 95watt for i5 <yes those are thermal ratings> but reflect the PSU requirements also....

This listing for the mainboard says that it supports Sandybridge CPUs (and likely only Sandybridge).

"Supports Core i3, i5, i7 Sandy Bridge"
https://the620guy.com/product/hp-pavilion-p6- … sb-cu-rev-2-00/

Horun wrote on 2022-08-28, 02:24:

This .ROM has a file date of 10/05/2011, that is not the ROM creation date, just the file date.
Also the i3-2100 came out about same time as the i5-2500 (actually a month later). From wiki: i3-2100: 2011-02-20, i5-2500: 2011-01-09 so makes no sense that the current bios does not support both IMHO.
Ask them what exactly the numbers on the new CPU. The S-spec may be important but I think there could be a different reason (65watt for i3 vs 95watt for i5 <yes those are thermal ratings> but reflect the PSU requirements also....

I got them to take some pictures. Also, the power supply in his system is a Bestec 250W unit

CPU is SR00Q which is correct https://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SR/SR00Q.html. Where did they buy it ?
That Compaq came out in late 2010 early 2011 (actually is an HP with Compaq logo's from what I read, but then all Compaq's after about 2002 are HP due to merger)
That Bestec 250 watt IF is in good working order should be OK, a bit under rated for i5 if they added any other Video card, extra hard drives, etc but has a 150w 3.3+5v rating which is good.
If the caps are starting to fail first thing that happens is when more watts are needed it just fails to start or shuts down
Maybe PC Hoarder Patrol can do some searching for the Compaq bios, I found nothing even at the mirror sites so far.

Horun wrote on 2022-08-28, 03:50:

CPU is SR00Q which is correct https://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SR/SR00Q.html. Where did they buy it ? That Compaq came out in l […]
Show full quote

CPU is SR00Q which is correct https://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SR/SR00Q.html. Where did they buy it ?
That Compaq came out in late 2010 early 2011 (actually is an HP with Compaq logo's from what I read, but then all Compaq's after about 2002 are HP due to merger)
That Bestec 250 watt IF is in good working order should be OK, a bit under rated for i5 if they added any other Video card, extra hard drives, etc but has a 150w 3.3+5v rating which is good.
If the caps are starting to fail first thing that happens is when more watts are needed it just fails to start or shuts down
Maybe PC Hoarder Patrol can do some searching for the Compaq bios, I found nothing even at the mirror sites so far.

He said he bought it on ebay. I initially suspected the i5 to be DOA, but he showed me the system does see the cpu properly, so it at least reports correctly that its an i5 2400. tho im not sure why it would fail to boot to OS if the cpu is compatible, and appears to be functioning. Almost like a sort of purgatory state, works enough to identify and boot to bios, but not fully to OS.
Image attached shows all hes getting from the i5:

Alistar1776 wrote on 2022-08-28, 03:59:

Horun wrote on 2022-08-28, 03:50:

CPU is SR00Q which is correct https://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SR/SR00Q.html. Where did they buy it ? That Compaq came out in l […]
Show full quote

CPU is SR00Q which is correct https://www.cpu-world.com/sspec/SR/SR00Q.html. Where did they buy it ?
That Compaq came out in late 2010 early 2011 (actually is an HP with Compaq logo's from what I read, but then all Compaq's after about 2002 are HP due to merger)
That Bestec 250 watt IF is in good working order should be OK, a bit under rated for i5 if they added any other Video card, extra hard drives, etc but has a 150w 3.3+5v rating which is good.
If the caps are starting to fail first thing that happens is when more watts are needed it just fails to start or shuts down
Maybe PC Hoarder Patrol can do some searching for the Compaq bios, I found nothing even at the mirror sites so far.

He said he bought it on ebay. I initially suspected the i5 to be DOA, but he showed me the system does see the cpu properly, so it at least reports correctly that its an i5 2400. tho im not sure why it would fail to boot to OS if the cpu is compatible, and appears to be functioning. Almost like a sort of purgatory state, works enough to identify and boot to bios, but not fully to OS.
Image attached shows all hes getting from the i5:

That image made me think of the origin of the word tantalizing: "Tantalus was a Greek mythological figure, most famous for his punishment in Tartarus: he was made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches, with the fruit ever eluding his grasp, and the water always receding before he could take a drink."

It must be maddening to have it POST then stop there. I've never seen anything like it. When installing CPUs that I wasn't sure would work because they really weren't supported (and that doesn't seem to be the case here) I've only ever had two outcomes: one, the fans kick on but I get no display/POST beep, and the other it POSTs but doesn't display the correct ID or CPU speed.

Repo Man11 wrote on 2022-08-28, 04:18:

That image made me think of the origin of the word tantalizing: "Tantalus was a Greek mythological figure, most famous for his punishment in Tartarus: he was made to stand in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree with low branches, with the fruit ever eluding his grasp, and the water always receding before he could take a drink."

It must be maddening to have it POST then stop there. I've never seen anything like it. When installing CPUs that I wasn't sure would work because they really weren't supported (and that doesn't seem to be the case here) I've only ever had two outcomes: one, the fans kick on but I get no display/POST beep, and the other it POSTs but doesn't display the correct ID or CPU speed.

🤣. Yea, when I suggested the cpu for upgrade path, i made sure to stay at least within the same cpu family. And double checking the specs online, its IDing properly, speed is correct, the whole bit. But it just wont boot to OS. Ive never ran into this sort of issue myself.

I agree and Ok Good that the bios recog's the new cpu ! no need to flash the bios imho.
There is something else up. How good are they at messing with computer hardware ?
Did they remember to put the heat sink back on and use thermal grease ?
If they did: Is the video the original onboard or are they using a add-on card ? If so what is it ? Originally the Compaq and HP's did not have a video card but used onboard.
Have them remove the 2Gb ram stick, have them disconnect all drives but the boot HD and see what happens with the new CPU.
>make sure they use some thermal grease
Might get a BIOS Setup error but should be able to continue. If still no boot my guess is failing PSU with the near double power requirement of the i5.
Of course could be wrong but is a way to check. running out of ideas 🤣

Horun wrote on 2022-08-28, 04:28:

I agree and Ok Good that the bios recog's the new cpu ! no need to flash the bios imho. There is something else up. How good ar […]
Show full quote

I agree and Ok Good that the bios recog's the new cpu ! no need to flash the bios imho.
There is something else up. How good are they at messing with computer hardware ?
Did they remember to put the heat sink back on and use thermal grease ?
If they did: Is the video the original onboard or are they using a add-on card ? If so what is it ? Originally the Compaq and HP's did not have a video card but used onboard.
Have them remove the 2Gb ram stick, have them disconnect all drives but the boot HD and see what happens with the new CPU.
>make sure they use some thermal grease
Might get a BIOS Setup error but should be able to continue. If still no boot my guess is failing PSU with the near double power requirement of the i5.
Of course could be wrong but is a way to check. running out of ideas 🤣

Beginner at messing with hardware. still in the stage of identifying the components. They did install the cpu correctly with my help, sent them a video from Linus Tech Tips on how to install an Intel CPU. Video is original onboard graphics, unknown what it is. Passed on the info of what to do. Hes working on it now.

Update: Booted up and error message saying "Unsupported CPU Installed"

So they were able to all the way into Windows after the CPU error ? They do not have to remove anything since it did boot. The onboard video should be Intel HD Graphics 2000 which is actually in the CPU.
Can they provide any other info off the label that has the serial number ? A Compaq part number might help. Still can not find the Compaq version of the BIOS but will keep looking...
added: Ok found some info. That same Board is used in most of the Compaq Presario CQ36** Desktop PC's like Presario CQ3612L, CQ3614D etc.
The readme for that BIOS file sp56122.exe is here: https://ftp.ext.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp56001-56 … 00/sp56122.html

Horun wrote on 2022-08-28, 14:35:

So they were able to all the way into Windows after the CPU error ? They do not have to remove anything since it did boot. The o […]
Show full quote

So they were able to all the way into Windows after the CPU error ? They do not have to remove anything since it did boot. The onboard video should be Intel HD Graphics 2000 which is actually in the CPU.
Can they provide any other info off the label that has the serial number ? A Compaq part number might help. Still can not find the Compaq version of the BIOS but will keep looking...
added: Ok found some info. That same Board is used in most of the Compaq Presario CQ36** Desktop PC's like Presario CQ3612L, CQ3614D etc.
The readme for that BIOS file sp56122.exe is here: https://ftp.ext.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp56001-56 … 00/sp56122.html

No, they didnt get into windows. They turned it on and it beeped with the error message. the product number is QP034AA#ABG, and model number is CQ3665AN-b