Softpaq Solution:  SP1650
File Name:  CPQWDCTL.386 
Title:  Contura 400 Adjustment for Seagate Hard Drives
Version:  N/A

CATEGORY:  Software Solutions / Laptop

EFFECTIVE DATE:  9 May 1996

PRODUCTS AFFECTED: Contura 400 Family

OPERATING SYSTEM:  N/A

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION:  Contura 400 models using Seagate 350-MB or 420-MB hard drive

SUPERSEDES:  SP1610

DESCRIPTION:  This Softpaq contains both an updated Compaq System ROMPaq and a utility designed to detect the presence of a Seagate 350-MB or 420-MB hard drive on a laptop in the Contura 400 Family.  For those hard drives, it reduces the risk of data loss due to potential hard drive errors.  The ROMPaq upgrades the System ROM BIOS.  Both the ROMPaq and utility execute from bootable diskettes.  The Segate Hard Drive Adjustment Utility operates in two steps.  Step one (which applies only if you are running Windows 3.1x) upgrades the Windows 3.1x 32-bit disk access driver, CPQWDCTL.386.  Step two (which applies to all operating systems) makes an adjustment to the hard drive firmware parameters.

HOW TO USE:

1.  Obtain 2 formatted 1.44 MB diskettes.

2.  Download the SoftPaq to a directory on your hard drive and change to that directory.  The file that is downloaded is SP1650.EXE.

3.  From that drive and directory, execute the SoftPaq file:
    SP1650 [ENTER]
You will be prompted to place each formatted 1.44 MB diskette into a diskette drive to create the diskettes.
Disk #1 - Contura 420/430 System ROMPaq
Disk #2 - Segate HardDrive Adjustment Utility

4.  After the diskettes are created, you may delete the downloaded file SP1650.EXE if you wish.

5.  Insert the Contura 420/430 ROMPaq diskette into the Contura 400 laptop and reboot.  Follow the instructions on the screen.  After completing the process, if there are no error messages, remove the diskette and power cycle the computer to resume normal operations.  The power off sequence is Ctrl/Alt/Power (pressing the purple Power button by itself will result in a stand-by rather than a power off).
IMPORTANT: Do not turn off power to the system while performing this procedure.

6.  Insert the Segate Hard Drive Adjustment Utility diskette into the Contura 400 laptop and power on the laptop.  Follow the instructions on the screen.   After completing the process, if there are no error messages, remove the diskette and power cycle the computer to resume normal operations.  The power off sequence is Ctrl/Alt/Power (pressing the purple Power button by itself will result in a stand-by rather than a power off).
IMPORTANT: Do not turn off power to the system while performing this procedure.

7.  If you see the error message "Error renaming CPQWDCTL.386", it is likely that the file CPQWDCTL.386 was not already installed.  This can occur if you have re-installed Windows and not re-applied the Compaq Windows Supplemental Diskette (SP1585).  The error message could also occur if the file CPQWDCTL.BAK already exists from having previously run the Segate Hard Drive Adjustment Utility.  Check the WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory, or equivalent, for CPQWDCTL.BAK.  If it is not present, install the Compaq Windows Supplemetal Diskette (SP1585).  Then restart the utility by rebooting again from the Segate HardDrive Adjustment Utility diskette (repeat step 6).

Copyright 1995, 1996 Compaq Computer Corporation.  All rights reserved.

Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies