trying to repair 2 computers...help please?

the 2 computers i am attempting to repair are as follows..Dell Dimension 5500Compaq Presaria 5000issues with each...the Dell turns on, and nothing happens, numlock on keyboard flashes, nothing on screen, no BIOS, no nothing.... i don't even know what type of BIOS it has..The Compaq, it boots, everything works..now heres the thing, when i boot into windows, it will recognize the disk, but i can't get it to boot from the disk to Format it like requested..it is an old (like windows ME old) computer...i tried all the F* keys...so i dunno how to make it boots from the disk....any advice?

F10 or F12 usually boots into the bios.

Replying to #2

hmmm...you mean on the Dell? cuz i tried that with the Compaq to boot from disk drive... *goes to screw with Dell a lil more*EDIT:no luck with the Dell T_T

Have you tried using a Linux live cd/install?

Replying to #4

ya, i tried it after an XP disk...it just won't read from the drive before the OS boots it seems..

Replying to #5

That's really weird...
You'd have to be able to access the bios in order for it to boot from CD, but since you can't, I don't know what to tell you.

Replying to #6

the one i'm trying to format is the compaq...i think there's somethin terribly wrong with the Dell.... i tried the Ubuntu disk, and a Windows XP disk on it, it won't boot from it..

Replying to #7

The BIOS may be shot...or the motherboard...who knows. :P

Replying to #8

with the dell, i plugged in speakers in hope it has a BIOS error code, no luck T_T so it's got to be the motherboard...with the compaq...maybe it doesn't support booting from disk..

Replying to #9

Screw both of them!
You could just try installing XP on the HDD from a different computer and then shoving it into the Compaq.

Replying to #10

i'm afraid to open it...the Compaq is over 12 yrs old...it's got a week build..and "screw both of them"?!?!?! they're gonna pay me if i fix these! people have said it can't be done!

Replying to #11

Just open it. Everything can be taken apart and put back together if you have the right tools...except people... :(

Replying to #12

thing is...i destroy it...they sue T_T

Replying to #13

Well, scrue them.

f2 or delete to get into bios usually. dell bioses are gimped though, they're one step above useless

Replying to #15

okay...BIOS won't boot, called them, they said junk it, so i'm done with the Dell...and i think the Compaq needs a new disk driver...do they still make them for it?

what type of disk drive?

Replying to #17

*googles the computer*EDIT: one of the ones on the following page...
http://www.impactcomputers.com/presario-50xxx-series-parts-presario-5000-desktop-parts-storage.html

sometimes the simplest ways are the ones that work........
-cleaning your dvd lens helps so that it could boot up the disk better (had this minor prob, wouldn't burn gc games)
if you have money buy a chep hdd and test it......