I have an HP dv6700 that won't boot windows. It's running vista 32 bit with Phoenix bios on there. I have tried a recovery disk but there seem to be no startup errors nor did it find memory nor hard drive errors. Nonetheless windows will not boot and instead i simply have the starting screen and then a black screen with a flashing hyphen in the top left corner. Any ideas?

The FIRST thing people need to do when proceeding to install Windows 7, is to make SURE there are compatible DRIVERS.

IF the computer manufacturer does not offer Windows 7 compatible drivers, for the computer in question, DO NOT load Windows 7.

[ Drivers are small pieces of software written, so that the Operating System can 'communicate' with a device.

Windows Vista, and Windows 7 are two examples of an O/S.
Audio (Sound), Graphics, LAN, and so on, use a chipset.
This chipset is a device.

Chip and Chipset are slang terms for I.C.
Integrated Circuit,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_Circuit ]

Fortunately I looked, and Win7 drivers are available for the Acer Aspire 5536 Notebook PC,

http://support.acer.com/us/en/product/default.aspx?tab=1&modelId=1119

BEFORE you install Win7, click on the Drivers, and download the compatible drivers for THE device in your computer, and the matching Win7 driver.

Burn them to a CD disk. Have ready to install.

[ Acer doesn't list what each driver is, until you click on Download, at the right side of the driver file.

Let's take Audio for one example.
There are 4 Audio drivers listed.

Click on Download at the right side, of the first Audio driver listed.
In the small window that comes up, you can see it is for WinXP.
XPx86. (Windows XP 32-bit)

It is also for a RealTek audio device. (Chipset)
(All the Audio drivers are)

Click on the second Audio driver listed. (Click on Download)
This one is for Vista
The third one is for Windows 7 that is 64-bit, OR 32-bit.

(Look at the Windows 7 carton. Does it state 32-bit, or 64-bit?
Doesn't matter for the above driver, as it is for both, but other drivers may be just for 32-bit, OR 64-bit.)

Go to Device Manager, and see what each device is.
(Click on the Windows start button, click on Control Panel, click on Performance and Maintenance, then on Device Manager)

Write them down. Download, and burn to disk the proper drivers ]

NOW, with the proper drivers available, proceed to install Windows 7.

(I have been told that some Vista drivers do work for Windows 7.
Need to make sure, as once you install Windows 7, it is a bear to try to reinstall Vista, if Win7 does not work)

Windows does not like to be written over, and Vista has a security measure that is better than previous versions.

Go to BIOS Setup, and in Boot Options, make sure the first boot device is CDROM.

How?
As soon as the computer is started look down at the bottom of the screen.
You won't see the P.O.S.T. screen, but the Acer logo screen.
At the bottom of this screen, states what key to press to enter BIOS Setup.

(Power-On Self Test)

It may state something along the lines of;
enter Setup, or
enter BIOS Setup, or
Enter CMOS Setup. (Old. Doubt it)

This screen goes by f-a-s-t.
You probably won't be able to press the correct key in time, to enter BIOS Setup.
No problem.

Simply restart the computer. As soon as it restarts, start tapping on the appropriate key. (In 2 second intervals)

You may hear a beeping as you are tapping on the key. This is a Stuck Key Error Code. Ignore it.

Should be the DELete key, or F2.

When you enter BIOS Setup you CANNOT use your mouse anymore. You use the Keyboard.

The navigation guide is at the bottom of every screen in BIOS Setup.
It doesn't state navigation guide, however.

There are two major BIOS manufacturers. AMI (American Megatrends Inc), and Award/Phoenix.

There are several versions of each, so I cannot guide you directly.
However if you need help just post what you see, and I will guide you.

For additional questions please post in a Comment.

Regards,
joecoolvette

HI.....................

here is a start...it is not gonna be a easy road.....My suggestion is if you are sure the PW(unlikely) is on the hard drive I would simpley buy a new hard drive.

CmosPwd 4.3 is a cmos/bios password recovery tool.
CmosPwd is under GNU Public License. You can freely distribute it.

Bios and history
Acer/IBM 1.3
AMI BIOS 1.0
AMI WinBIOS (12/15/93) 1.4d
AMI WinBIOS 2.5 1.0 & 2.7
AMI Bios ? 4.2
Award 4.5x 1.0 & 1.4c & 2.3 & 2.8 & 2.9
Award Medallion 6 3.1
Compaq (1992) 1.0
Compaq 1.4 & 3.0
Phoenix A08, 1993 1.0
IBM (PS/2, Activa ...) 1.3
IBM Thinkpad boot pwd 1.5
IBM 300 GL 1.5
Packard Bell Supervisor/User 1.4
Phoenix 1.00.09.AC0 (1994) 1.0
Phoenix 1.04 1.4
Phoenix 1.10 A03/Dell GXi 1.4c
Phoenix 4 release 6 (User) 1.6 & 2.2
Phoenix 4.05 rev 1.02.943 2.6
Phoenix 4.06 rev 1.13.1107 2.6
Gateway Solo - Phoenix 4.0 r6 2.4
Toshiba 2.1
Zenith AMI 1.5
Typical Usage for DOS and all Windows users ¦

1) Identify your BIOS manufacturer (usually displayed at boot-up)

2) Start in DOS, or start a DOS session in Windows 95/98/ME.
For Windows NT or Windows 2000 boot from a DOS or Windows 95/98 boot
disk (you can find boot disks at http://www.AnswersThatWork.com), and run
CMOSPWD from your boot floppy (or another floppy).

3) C: [Enter]
CD\CMOS_Pwd [Enter]

4) Type CMOSPWD at the DOS prompt and press Enter.

5) CMOSPWD will display a list of possibilities. Use the possibilities
itemised against your BIOS manufacturer.
Remember :

a) For AWARD BIOSes, use the Numeric Keypad (with NumLock ON).
b) AWARD 4.50PG BIOS always accepts "AWARD_SW", or "d8on",
or "589589".
c) Old Phoenix BIOSes will accept "phoenix".

6) If the standard method does not work, then try to kill
the CMOS password with CMOSPWD /K (and press Enter),
and then see if you can get into the CMOS without a password.
If you can, you successfully "killed" the old CMOS password.
DO NOT KILL THE CMOS on IBM ThinkPad 765 laptops.

7) If you cannot kill the CMOS with CMOSPWD, then try the following,
all done from the DOS prompt of real DOS or of a DOS session :

DEBUG [Enter]
O 70 2E [Enter]
O 71 0 [Enter]
Q [Enter]

(The first character of each line above MUST be a letter, so whenever
you see "O", read it as the letter "O" and not the digit ZERO, "0").

'General Usage (List of commands) '

cmospwd [/d]
cmospwd [/d] /[rlw] cmos_backup_file restore/load/write
cmospwd /k kill cmos
cmospwd /m[01]* execute selected module

/d to dump cmos in ascii and scan code
/m0010011 to execute module 3,6 and 7

Keyboard:
/kfr French AZERTY
/kde German QWERTY
default is US QWERTY

Platforms
- Dos-Windows version
Well, ... it works!

- Linux && BSD version
Users can work on cmos backup but they need root priviledge to
use ioperm function to have full access to cmos.

- Windows NT, W2K, XP
Users can work on cmos backup. To work on cmos memory, gwiopm need to be
installed and running.
gwiopm gives direct port I/O access for specified ports to user-mode process
(ring 3) using Ke386SetIoAccessMap and Ke386IoSetAccessProcess kernel functions.

1- You need administrator priviledges to install this driver
"instdrv gwiopm c:\tmp\gwiopm.sys"
(To remove the driver, run "instdrv gwiopm remove".)
2- Start the service if needed with "net start gwiopm"
3- Run "Cmospwd_nt /w cmos_backup"
4- Run "Cmospwd /l cmos_backup"

'Laptops '

On laptops, the password is usually stored in an eeprom on the motherboard,
you need an eeprom programmer (electronic device) to retrieve it.

You can get/buy eeprom programmer in electronic shops or labs, you need
another PC to use it.
You can desolder the eeprom with hot air or you can try to "clip" the
eeprom. With the eeprom programmer, backup your eeprom and run
"cmospwd /d /l eeprom_backup". If you don't see the password, you can try
to fill the eeprom with zero or FF, don't forget the reset the cmos.

'Toshiba '
-
Differents passwords give the same 32-bit CRC, so CmosPwd can only give one
of them.
To reset the password of an old Toshiba, you can use KeyDisk. (cf my web page)
If this doesn't work, you can try to build the Toshiba Parallell loopback.
To make a simple device that you connect to your parallell port, a lot of
Toshiba computers remove the password when you boot it up.
The device, named "loopback" by some, could be made out of any
parallell wire with 25pins connectors (db25). You should connect
these pins: 1-5-10, 2-11, 3-17, 4-12, 6-16, 7-13, 8-14, 9-15, 18-25.

A db25 looks like:
1 13
_______
\_____/
14 25

---------------------------------------------------

Divers
- Award 4.50PG
There is an universal password AWARD_SW.
(d8on, 589589 ... works too)
- Award
Differents passwords give the same 32-bit CRC, so CmosPwd can only give one
of them. Use the numeric keypad.
- COMPAQ LTE 5300 notebook
Tolga Sinan Guney: there is a reset jumper on the motherboard
- DIGITAL PC300, Phoenix 4.0 Rel 6.0,0
Rene Pocisk: cmospwd /k works
- Fujitsu ICL
aksion: passwords are stored in EEPROM
- Phoenix
There is a backdoor in old version of Phoenix BIOS, the universal
password is "phoenix".
- Siemens Nixdorf
PCD-4ND, Michael: You can clear the password of this phoenix 1.03 with "cmospwd /k"
Scenic Mobil 700, Josef Benda: "cmospwd /k" works! Phoenix Note BIOS v4.0
Scenic Mobile 510AGP, Bernd: "cmospwd /k" works! Phoenix 4.0 R6 Version 3F31 dated 9.2.2000

What to do if you can't use cmospwd to clear your cmos ?
You can use debug to reset cmos CRC stored at 0x2E-0x2F
debug
-o 70 2E
-o 71 0
-q



What to do if cmospwd don't work on your PC ?

Try to clear password with cmospwd /k.
If cmospwd /k doesn't work, password is stored in an EEPROM. Try to find a
reset jumper on your motherboard or contact your PC vendor.
If it works, I can try to discover how passwords are encrypted.
I need to know what Bios you used and
some cmos memory backup with their passwords. (cmospwd /w backupfile)
For passwords, choose
- some 1 and 2-letter passwords
- BBBBBBB
- BBBBBBC
- BBBBBCB
- BBBBCBB
- BBBCBBB
- BBCBBBB
- BCBBBBB
- CBBBBBB
Asus A8N32-SLI DELUXE MOBO w/AMD 64 4000+ CPU
(2)BFG 7800 GTX OC 256 DDR3 GPU PCI-E
4 Gigs Corsair CMX1024-3500LLPRO
160 Gig Maxtor Diamond SATA 7200 rpm
160 Gig Maxtor Diamond SATA 7200 rpm
2 Dell E193FP 19" LCD's
Memorex DVD/CD R/W
Memorex CD/RW

did you go into the bios and change the boot order to boot to the cd rom first? Then it should boot to the disc. Otherwise you may want to use any xp/vista disc do the install dont insert a cd key then once windows boots up then put the disc in and try a recovery.
Thanks,
Lee

Well, by relying on this password recovery software, you can easily reset HP laptop Administrator login password easily. Fully compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP etc operation system, supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit. Note: do not easily use your MS Windows recovery or boot CD as it may erase all data.

Try HP Print Diagnostic Utility was created to help users troubleshoot and correct many common problems on Windows-based computers that can prevent printing.Follow the on-screen instructions to run the utility. Details and specifications File name: HPPDU.exe [1/1, 1.54M] System requirements: No additional prerequisites Released: 2010-08-13 Version: 3.0.0.013 Compatibility: Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (32-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Business (32-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (32-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic (32-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (32-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise (32-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic (64-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise (64-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Business (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise (64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise (32-bit), Microsoft Windows XP Fix/Enhancement: This version of the HP Print Diagnostic Utility provides an improved user interface in multiple languages, improved diagnostic and problem resolution capability, and support for usb and network connected devices.

If you want the quickest way, then I think you can take a try this password recovery software, a program which helps to reset Windows Administrator login password easily. Fully compatible with Windows 7, Vista and XP etc operation system, supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit. Your DELL Dimemsion is supported. Good luck!

I have seen this type of problem before, the only real way around it is to install a fresh copy of windows 7 not to upgrade, you will receive a message that asks you if you want to keep the previous windows in a folder called old windows, from there you will be able to access all your old files and programs, be aware though some programs may not work on windows 7, and you may need to have updated drivers for the systems peripherals. So when you run the windows 7 disk choose clean install and go from there. i hope this helps

it doesn't matter. if you are running 32 bit operating ssytem. you can get majority of the hardware drivers.
however, if the operating sytem is 64-bit, you can't run it on a 32-bit machine. that is what determine by the BIOS.
since you have install the sytem and it seems running fine. I would just leave it alone.

I'm not completely sure on what you are exactly asking here, but I'll do the best I can. If you have the Recovery CD, you need to boot from the CD and run the Recovery. When you go to do the recovery you will have two options, the normal recovery or the destructive recovery. If there is nothing important and everything can be wiped, run a destructive, but if you need everything run the other one. If you do not have a Recovery CD but have a Windows Vista disk that matches the version on your computer (IE: Windows Vista Home 32 bit is on your computer and you have a Windows Vista Home 32 bit disk) and you DO NOT need anything saved, just reinstall Windows. There is a product key for Vista on the sticker attached to your case. If you have neither, then you can probably get a new recovery disk by contacting HP (since they bought out Compaq). If you can not get a new Recovery CD, you will need to go out and buy a new copy of Windows Vista.