Setting up the Keyboard Layout in Compaq CQ45 - 112 AU FreeDOS

[Andy_Varte]

My friend bought a new Compaq Presario CQ45 - 112AU FreeDOS version. I have no idea how to set it up. Sure I can install Windows Vista and work the partitions, but when I turn it on, the following screen appears:
The first screen is a disclaimer about  it being a Free DOS computer, followed by a list where we can choose 'keyboard' layouts:
0 - Choose English as the locale and keyboard input
1 - Choose French as the locale and keyboard input
2 - Choose Italian as the keyboard locale and input
It goes on until 8, then it says:
Select from Menu [012345678], or press [ENTER] - Singlestepping (F8) is : OFF

However, upon pressing ENTER or any of the choices ie 0 to 8, another screen appears that shows the following:

Compaq Presario CQ45 - 112AU
Can't open CD driver FDC001
SHSUCDX can't install
XKEYB 1.15: keyboard driver for FreeDOS AT machines (more info: XKEYB/?)
installed C:\fdos\bin\key\us.key
C:\

So guys, what's up and can you walk me through it? I can directly install windows but apparently until and unless I get the above thing settled the touchpad doesn't work. Please help....!

[CNY]

Hi,

I also face the same problem. I'm using CQ 40-306TU. Now still can't solve.

[Kickers12]

Hello HP,

Help pls,  im also facing the same problem, same error encoutered.. i cant install the XP cd i bough.. i check the bios setting and all configured to boot over a CD rom drive .. and  also tried top attached an external CD rom drive but the same erroer was experienced.

[Kickers12]

I tried VIsta OS but same problem occur, are all newly bought Compaq presario laptops need to undergo your professional help before we could install an OS on it.. the FreeDos setup is not that very helpful...

[nongprue]

i have same problem as andy varte. any suggestions.

[Rakhmad]

For all posters above,

As you bought a freedos version of CQ45, freedos had been preinstalled on your harddisk.

To install Vista, please make sure setting in BIOS as the CD/DVD drive as your first boot not the harddisk and press any key to boot to CD/DVD drive.

For XP you need to slipstream sata driver onto XP CD installer.

Good luck.

[RapOverdose]

I had the same problem 5 minutes ago, and after looking arround without finding anything useful, i made it myself..Press F10 right after restarting , but be fast...and you will get into bios. Then go to the boot manager, and select the CD/DVD drive as the primary boot device ( the default one is the HDD - that's why it won't read your CD/DVD drive ) , press F10 again for saving and exit. Restart and then your windows CD/DVD will kick in. Good luck. i hope it helped.

[Samandal]

My friend bought a new Compaq Presario CQ45 - 112AU FreeDOS version. I have no idea how to set it up. Sure I can install Windows Vista and work the partitions, but when I turn it on, the following screen appears:
The first screen is a disclaimer about  it being a Free DOS computer, followed by a list where we can choose 'keyboard' layouts:
0 - Choose English as the locale and keyboard input
1 - Choose French as the locale and keyboard input
2 - Choose Italian as the keyboard locale and input
It goes on until 8, then it says:
Select from Menu [012345678], or press [ENTER] - Singlestepping (F8) is : OFF

However, upon pressing ENTER or any of the choices ie 0 to 8, another screen appears that shows the following:

Compaq Presario CQ45 - 112AU
Can't open CD driver FDC001
SHSUCDX can't install
XKEYB 1.15: keyboard driver for FreeDOS AT machines (more info: XKEYB/?)
installed C:\fdos\bin\key\us.key
C:\

So guys, what's up and can you walk me through it? I can directly install windows but apparently until and unless I get the above thing settled the touchpad doesn't work. Please help....!