I need a SATA driver or BIOS reinstall method for Compaq CQ60-105EF

C

cosmosemper

New Member
My friend's Compaq Presario CQ60-105EF lost its SATA driver due to a Trojan via MSN- I've backed up her data and am trying to re-install her Vista Basic, but the install can't see the Toshiba MX1652GSX HDD - Just says no IDE drive detected.

The BIOS doesn't have a SATA enable/disable option visible. I've been to the vendor's download pages. No unpacked drivers are available. The updated and original BIOS flash wants to be run from inside the working operating system, as does the updated optical drive software. I'm trying to re-install Vista from a bootable USB. I have to copy the drivers to a USB key and the install won't read the exe file downloaded from Compaq.

Can anybody help? Either a method to convert and flash the BIOS from USB or USB floppy, or just a SATA driver so the system can see the HDD and recover from within Vista? The data on the hdd doesn't seem to be corrupted, but no driver backups :shock:.

Thanx for reading. Please help if you have ideas.
 

My Computer

System One

theog said:
What SATA Storage controller?
Click to expand...

Erk - That's what I need to know too. I am nervous in this unknown territory. The link to the UK version of Compaq's download page for the machine is Select software and drivers Compaq Presario CQ60-105EF Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English) My friends machine is in French, but the same information applies on that version of Compaq's site.

I'm trying both the BIOS update and the firmware update for the logical drive.

When I try to run the exe to extract the driver files so I can slipstream them into my international Vista installation on a bootable USB key, or just have them available in a useable manner on another usb key, the message comes up that the program will update my own computer's BIOS. The BIOS flash is for an AMD system with SATA... My own Presario, also running Vista Basic is a C700 with an Intel Celeron and IDE hdd. Am I right to worry?

Thanks for your patience with an amateur!
 

My Computer

System One

theog said:
Can you still boot in to windows?
Click to expand...

No, I have the black screen of death, which abandons and turns off after about 10 minutes. The function keys give minimal BIOS access, RAM test working (2GB OK), no HDD test available, no safe mode, no CD/DVD, no SATA/compatibility options... But I can get Vista Install started on a bootable USB key, and then read data off other USB keys when it says it can't see the HDD and asks for a SATA driver.

I have verified the HDD on my own PC while backing up data using a USB/SATA adaptor. No problem there, all data readable. The DVD-RW also initialises when a disk is inserted, but this data is not available to the PC even during Vista install, when the USB ports are all functional. So I maybe need a method of extracting the SATA driver from the BIOS program from Compaq without allowing that program to flash the Presario CQ60 BIOS update to my own Presario C700.

Any ideas? :confused:
 

My Computer

System One

theog said:
Is your HD showing in BIOS?

If NO,check all cables & plugs, may be replace mobo.
Click to expand...

Thanks Theog, but I'm fairly sure this is a BIOS problem. I've had the disk out of this notebook, and checked the connectors when replacing it. Same for DVD drive and RAM. The PC was healthy prior to a Trojan that came in as a MSN cadeau (free gift) to my naiive friend who was using Avast antivirus. That was the only infection I picked up using AVG, and it came the day before the crash. Unfortunately I deleted the AVG log once I'd saved her files, so I can't name the Trojan. I'd already downloaded every available driver from the manufacturer and had my Vista on a USB key, so thought I wouldn't have a problem getting her PC back to new. Agghh! I just need the BIOS! :cry:
 

My Computer

System One

theog said:
theog said:
Is your HD showing in BIOS?

If NO,check all cables & plugs, may be replace mobo.
Click to expand...


You do not need a update for your BIOS, HD will show with OR without update.

Is your HD showing in BIOS?

If NO, replace mobo.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your advice, but replacing the motherboard is not an option. I just tried booting the machine with the SATA HDD outside, plugged in through a USB/SATA adaptor, and managed to get into fix mode, where it asked for drivers to see the HDD. I found drivers in System32 which refer to SATA and will now try copying those and a bunch more to a key, then replacing the HDD and getting to the recovery from Vista on Key... Hey, it just might work! :p
 

My Computer

System One

theog said:
theog said:
Is your HD showing in BIOS?

If NO,check all cables & plugs, may be replace mobo.
Click to expand...


You do not need a update for your BIOS, HD will show with OR without update.

Is your HD showing in BIOS?

If NO, replace mobo.
Click to expand...

Theog, you ARE a guru in truth. I flashed the new BIOS using my makeshift system, and... nada. I then dismantled the PC completely and found the small carbonised sweet coffee stain on the motherboard. Only one person in my friend's house uses sugar and milk, and has now owned up, so the trojan was a false lead. The PC remains dead - no money for spares - but now we know why. I should have sniffed it first. Thank you for your advice.
 

My Computer

System One

Avast is Fail AV. Anything that Microsoft or MSN which is also Microsoft offer is safe. Is the BIOS reading the Hard Disk Drive? For laptops use the recovery disks that are included with the laptop. If it didn't come with recovery disks contact Compaq/HP and have them send you them. They are free. Avast reads things as trojans that really are not.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Powered By Asus Built By Me
    CPU
    AMD Athlon II 250 Regor 3.0GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTek M3A76-CM
    Memory
    2x 2048MB DDR2 PC6400 OCZ High Performance Gold Edition @ 2.1v
    Graphics card(s)
    ECS Geforce GTS 250 512MB
    Sound Card
    Via Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X203H Compaq FS740
    Screen Resolution
    Acer-1600x900 Compaq 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracuda 250GB 7200 RPM Western Digital Caviar 80 GB 7200 RPM
    PSU
    A-Power 680 Watt PSU
    Case
    Power Up Micro ATX Case
    Cooling
    1x 120mm Case Fan 1x 80mm Case Fan
    Mouse
    OCZ Equalizer 7 Button Laser Gaming Mouse
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Ergonomic Keyboard
    Internet Speed
    6Mbps
    Other Info
    1x 1024 PNY Flash Drive Integrated In Windows ReadyBoost.
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top