Using CF to IDE adapter on old compaq

[habibrobert]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to use a CF to IDE adapter on an old compaq Presario 4122. I'm trying to install windows 95 on it, but the windows 95 setup is unable to detect the CF card. I am using this card:

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Compact-Flash-Adapter-IDE2CF/dp/B0026OYEEQ?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

The reviews said that people have been able to successfully install windows 95 with this adapter. Even more interesting is that the compaq doesn't detect any regular IDE drives, except for the one that originally came with the computer. Does anyone know why this is happening?

When I boot a rescue disk, I'm able to see that the CF are is detected, however the windows 95 setup cannot detect anything.

I'd appreciate any advice that anyone has to offer on how to get the windows 95 setup to detect the CF to IDE adapter.

Thanks!

 

[Shaun o]

The answer to that is simple.

How big was the original hard drive in the compaq presario 4122 computer.

If you are talking about a hard drive that say for example was megabytes in storage. say 640Mb or 2GB

And the CF flash card you are using say as a minimum is 4GB

The reason why it does not detect the Cf card when placed in the adapter is because the computer can only recognise and see a drive capacity of a set size.

Any hard drive you put in the system over a set storage capacity, or using a CF card adapter with a CF card larger than the bios of the computer can detect.

Will not show up.
On old computers the size or capacity of a hard drive you could fit as a maximum size would be set.
So find out what size the hard drive was of the system.

Use a CF card reader on another system or computer.
And create a partition on the CF card of that size in Gb capacity.

Once done, connect it back to the IDE to CF card adapter.

And the partition you made of a set size should show up so you can install windows on it.
How old a Pc is limits the size of a hard drive in storage capacity it can read and see.

If you understand. click bellow for a link to the specs of the compaq Presario 4122 system.

Make a partition size on the cf card no bigger than it states the original fitted hard drive was in storage capacity.

http://www.elhvb.com/mobokive/archive/Compaq/Presario/Presario%2041xx/4122/4122quickspecs.html


The maximum drive size was 2.5GB so if you have a CF card above that say 4GB or 8GB capacity create a partition on the CF card of 2.5GB.

Then the drive should show, also set the jumpers on the CF adapter so the CF card is set as a primary master device.

Making sure that the IDE lead connects to the Black IDE port of the 4122 motherboard to the IDE adapter socket using the black connector block on the IDE cable.



Black connector block on a IDE cable is always a Master device.
Gray connector block is always for a Slave device on a IDE cable.

Jumpers JP1 to Jp3 on the adapter card may be to set the CF card to a slave or master device.

You are also required to connect a floppy power cable connector to the CF adapter in order for the CF card to be detected.

It should then work right for you habibrobert.