Compaq Notebook - Clean Install, Can't Boot

I don't know if this is the right area for this thread, so if I'm wrong, I apologize.

I recently acquired an Armada 1750, so I thought I could clean it like I clean my desktop. Apparently not.

I was an idiot and used fdisk, but when I used the bootup floppy there was an error that said, "non system disk." Now I have a black screen with a cursor, but I can't do anything. I can't even get into the BIOS.

I tried downloading a recovery CD, but it just spins on startup and nothing happens. Then it stops and I'm back to the blank screen with the flashing cursor.

I tried inserting the setup disk, but it also just spins and then stops. Every floppy I try just gets a "non system disk."

Basically, I have wiped the hard drive and I don't know how to load my OS.

Can anyone help?

 

Been there, done that. You say you CANNOT get to the bios? If you remove the Hard drive and boot up, can you then get to bios?

 

I haven't tried removing the HD...but to be clear, I don't think I know how to get into BIOS. I tried the Fn + F8 (that's what I found when I Googled) but nothing happens.

Should I open her up and take out the HD?

To be even more clear, this is my first laptop...

 

Don't hit FN + F8; most laptops/pc's require you to hit ESCAPE, F1 or F2 to enter the bios. Im not too familiar with the armada, but I would try those. F8 is usually used to load WINDOWS in SAFE MODE.

 

I finally got the beast to work. Thanks so much!