Author Topic: problems with compaq "application recovery program"... (Read 412 times)

humble · « **on:** June 10, 2006, 09:41:10 AM »

basically this thing "recovers" drivers and automatically reconfigurs stuff. It seems to reinstall the drivers for the onboard ATI200xpress and create issues for my nvidia 7900gt that results in serious issues for AH gameplay. I''ve looked thru the net as well as HP/compaq and cant find anyway to disable it. It has "defeated" every driver cleaner program I've used. The program works a couple of times but by the 3rd or 4th time this things has created a work around or disabled the progams ability to kill those drivers....or simply reloads them as soon as they get wiped (not sure)...

any help appreciated, at this point unless I find a solution I need to just use the soso onboard graphics or buy an ATI card I guess...

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2006, 11:11:09 AM »

If ther is no flag/variable in the BIOS setup to disable/enabled the onboard video chip, then the only other option I can think of to try is disabling the video chip in the hardware device manager and that may not work.

Compaq/HP computers have a rather bizarre series of programs which are meant to prevent people from borking up thier setup. Unfortunately, it means they are not friendly to users who want to change the hardware configuration.

TequilaChaser · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2006, 11:24:48 AM »

humble, not sure if the newer compaq/HP pc's are able to do this or not, but tip I got from ZD tv ( pc tv show on the Dish )

was to dump and format the hard drive, erasing all the hybernation files/ recover files etc that are partioned on the D drive for system recovery......

basically remove everything from it that tells it it is a compaq, then install a full copy of an Os and treat the pc as a clone.......

did this to my Mom's athlon compaq pc, and she never had any other troubles from then on........

just a thought......only thing is you will void your warranty if you do this........

edited: hmm better add this, I went and got the MB drivers from the manufacturer of the MB, and for the sound card, vid card and flashed the Bios with the most updated version, the OS when installed did as it normally does for Windows updates......

The PC doesn't know it is a compaq now, repeat though, if you do this u void your warranty if you have any left, and it may not work with today's newer systems by HP/compaq

another thing, I have noticed alot of the E machines, comapq, HP, systemax computers that ship with OEM OS of winXP are setup as FAT32 file structure

humble · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2006, 03:19:28 PM »

I have determined that a couple of .357's are the appropriate fix for this thing:). In the meantime I just "recovered" the damm thing to its factory settings. I'll contact HP and see if I can get a copy of the operating system or at least the key. I actually went out and bought an ATI 1600pro but it didnt work either. Once AH finishes downloading I'll fire it up and see if I still have my EKG net status or not:). For awhile it was rock solid but I just dont know exactly whats causing the problem. The real problem is that HP hides so much stuff thats actually running....just unreal.

At this point I think I'll just flip this out to the wife and build out an other box.

I actually like the system alot....if your clueless and dont want to ever crack a case its pretty good....within its limitations. but you'd better buy exactly what you need since you'll never figure it out if you need to seriously uprade the darn thing.

humble · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2006, 03:24:07 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
If ther is no flag/variable in the BIOS setup to disable/enabled the onboard video chip, then the only other option I can think of to try is disabling the video chip in the hardware device manager and that may not work.

Compaq/HP computers have a rather bizarre series of programs which are meant to prevent people from borking up thier setup. Unfortunately, it means they are not friendly to users who want to change the hardware configuration.

I can disable the onboard chip with no problem. The 7900GT ran fine....but I had horrible net status issues in AH. When I downloaded a driver cleaner I found the system had reloaded a bunch of ATI drivers. When I deleted them everything in AH was rock solid...and my aquamark bench mark went from ~72k to 74k. Invariably the box defeated the driver cleaner and now it reloads as fast as I delete them. The Compaq has a "driver recovery" function that automatically detects and reloads system srivers that appears to be "auto-on" period....argghhhh.

I thought if I put in an ATI card it would work fine, but so far its no better...

Krusty · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2006, 03:53:50 PM »

I think you just need a clean OS, one without Comcrap (I mean Compaq)'s rubbish.

TequilaChaser · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2006, 11:05:12 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by humble
I'll contact HP and see if I can get a copy of the operating system or at least the key.

if it came preloaded with WinXp or whatever OS, you probably will have a sticker on the back / bottom / side panel of the tower, stating the OS CD key and serial number, and was prob provided a simple restore CD disc with the PC, the sticker/decal should be sufficient if you decide to do a complete format and install a Complete standalone fresh copy of your OS, is how I worked it on my mom's compaq....

humble · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2006, 05:33:26 PM »

I havent seen it but i'll look again. In the meantime I figured it out and will post it over on the hardware forum for any other unfortunate souls:)....

Krusty · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2006, 06:38:53 PM »

Note: sometimes this key is inside the case, sometimes outside the case.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2006, 12:37:06 AM »

Yup, my old Compaq had a partition on the hard drive that was full of recovery things. After a full format it went away (obviously). Could probably just format that partition.