Help with HP Desktop Computer

[Nino Valenti]

I have an HP desktop that I was having trouble with. I decided to do a system restore. When I rebooted the computer, I got a message Code Purple and to contact HP. I said "to hell with that" and I tried a total Destructive System restore. Same problem.

I Googled "Code Purple" and it seems to be a "feature" with HP/Compaq computers. Their mother boards are "tattooed" and if you do a system restore with any new programs installed, it won't work. :scowl:

Has anyone run into this problem and figured a way around sending it back to HP?

Thanks. Nino

 

[saxnbass]

Yep. Trash it and buy a Mac.

I don't know of any way around it other than sending it to HP. That's one down side of HPs over say Compaq, Toshiba, Dell, etc.

The one idea that I have, but don't know if it'll work, is: Maybe you could try using a boot Linux (ie: Ubuntu) on it, going in and getting rid of the program that is causing the problem and then booting it in Windows again.

Boot Linux is a version that you put on a CD Disc and it boots from the CD. You put the disc in, boot from the Disc and it runs Linux. When you're done, take out the disk and restart, it'll boot in the regular OS (in this case, Windows).

 

[Turock]

I would try removing the CMOS battery and leaving it out for a minute or so.

 

[Eric Perry]

If you can still get to a DOS prompt, try to fdisk it and wipe it clean.

Then reinstall and see how that goes.

 

[Nino Valenti]

I would try removing the CMOS battery and leaving it out for a minute or so.

I removed a dime sized "watch" battery from the motherboard and it didn't work. I did this when the problem happened.

Is this not the battery I need to remove?

 

[Nino Valenti]

If you can still get to a DOS prompt, try to fdisk it and wipe it clean.

Then reinstall and see how that goes.

Hmmm... That way too complicated sounding for me.

 

[Nino Valenti]

The one idea that I have, but don't know if it'll work, is: Maybe you could try using a boot Linux (ie: Ubuntu) on it, going in and getting rid of the program that is causing the problem and then booting it in Windows again.

Boot Linux is a version that you put on a CD Disc and it boots from the CD. You put the disc in, boot from the Disc and it runs Linux. When you're done, take out the disk and restart, it'll boot in the regular OS (in this case, Windows).

Where can I get a copy of this disc? On the Linux website?

 

[jkritchey]

Another option from a support website, with step by steps:

To access the "C:" drive to rename the file:
1. Boot the system with a Win Xp Original Disk.
2. When you have to select "Enter" to reload or "R" for Recovery Console select "R".
3. Select the "H:\minint" Drive to bring up the System
4. At the "H:\minint" prompt, change to the "C:" prompt
5. Change directory to the "C:\hp\bin\configcheck"
6. Rename the file with the command "ren run.py run.p_"
7. Reboot the machine and there should be no "Code Purple" error.

NOT MY WORK!!

Found it here:
Invalid Link Removed

 

[jkritchey]

Seems to be more than one answer. Ouch, this is painful:

Invalid Link Removed

Actually, check that. There is only one answer. Avoid HP / Compaq. I can't believe what I'm reading.

 

[Nino Valenti]

I do not have a Win XP original Disc.

 

[jkritchey]

I assumed you had one to do the System restore? Or the Destructive method?

Do you have a floppy drive on that beast?

 

[Nino Valenti]

I made a set of Back up discs when I got the computer. Is that what you're talking about? The computer (about a year or 2 old) didn't come with any discs.

I tried what you suggested with the discs I have but I could never access the H drive (or figure out how to).

 

[jkritchey]

Gotta admit, I don't understand that line. Can you get to a DOS prompt? Can you boot off one of those recovery disks to get to a black screen that says A:\ ?

If so, then...

5. Change directory to the "C:\hp\bin\configcheck"
6. Rename the file with the command "ren run.py run.p_"
7. Reboot the machine and there should be no "Code Purple" error.

 

[Nino Valenti]

Can you get to a DOS prompt? Can you boot off one of those recovery disks to get to a black screen that says A:\ ?

Nope. I'll try again later tonight, though.

 

[Turock]

You could also download the "ultimate boot disk" (it's free). That should allow you to get to the file.

 

[saxnbass]

You can find Ubuntu here:

Link Removed

 

[Bassic83]

Nino, can you boot into Safe Mode (F8)? If it will let you into Safe Mode, you can go to Start>Run, type in cmd, hit enter, and you should be at a DOS screen. You should be at a C:\>_ prompt. Type in: cd C:\\hp\bin\configcheck to get to the directory where Tattoo lives. When you have the above-mentioned line as your prompt, type: ren run.py run.p_ and hit enter. Reboot, and there should be no problem. BTW, which model HP are you dealing with?

 

[Nino Valenti]

Nino, can you boot into Safe Mode (F8)? If it will let you into Safe Mode, you can go to Start>Run, type in cmd, hit enter, and you should be at a DOS screen. You should be at a C:\>_ prompt. Type in: cd C:\\hp\bin\configcheck to get to the directory where Tattoo lives. When you have the above-mentioned line as your prompt, type: ren run.py run.p_ and hit enter. Reboot, and there should be no problem. BTW, which model HP are you dealing with?

I'll try that when I get home but I think Itried starting in safe mofe and I got the same Code Purple message or some other error message.

HP Pavillion A1000N

 

[lemur821]

Where can I get a copy of this disc? On the Linux website?

There isn't actually a "Linux web site". There's kernel.org where the kernel lives (this is of no use to you alone) and there are web sites for all the various distributions.

It sounds like the problem can be solved by installing Windows from something other than the restore disk. Do you know anyone who can get you a disk? You could also download it somewhere. That wouldn't be technically legal, but since you do have a licensed copy I think you would be morally in the clear. This is probably the best way to go (assuming you really want to run Windows), since you may well run into this same thing in the future.

 

[Nino Valenti]

Another option from a support website, with step by steps:

To access the "C:" drive to rename the file:
1. Boot the system with a Win Xp Original Disk.
2. When you have to select "Enter" to reload or "R" for Recovery Console select "R".
3. Select the "H:\minint" Drive to bring up the System
4. At the "H:\minint" prompt, change to the "C:" prompt
5. Change directory to the "C:\hp\bin\configcheck"
6. Rename the file with the command "ren run.py run.p_"
7. Reboot the machine and there should be no "Code Purple" error.

NOT MY WORK!!

Found it here:
Invalid Link Removed

Thanks for all of your help. This worked. David Wilson helped me with the commands. Once I was as 4. At the "H:\minint" prompt, change to the "C:" prompt, I was a little lost.