Start-up --boot prob?? OS Win98

When I turn on the machine with the start button it cycles through the keyboard and the drive lights (CD, CDRW) flash then it quits. When I push the reset button it sometimes catches and boots up. If I unplug it for 10 secs. then try again it sometimes boots up. I opened the case and checked the connections--it started right up after that. But next day back to the quitting. OS is Win98. Any way to check the boot drives from 'my computer' or another place??? what will that tell me??

 

Hi justme,

Intermittant problems are very difficult to diagnose. More info about your machine may help. It is almost certainly a hardware problem, and the first thing to suspect is the power supply, especially if ir's an older computer. Memory might also be suspect, and substituting good parts is the usual way to check. Even an older hard disk could be the culprit.
Suggest you check www.newegg.com for a power supply in the $30-50 range that's higher in watts than your present supply (assuming your box takes a standard psu).

 

Here is a power calculator:
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

You could try disconnecting the CD drives. If you get consistent startups then, it is most likely a power supply problem.

Did you reseat the drive cables at the motherboard as well?

Matt

 

Hi

I had the same problem when booting. It turned out to be a sticky power button which was staying in and every 8 secs it was rebooting again

Hope this helps

vzrboy

 

Random Drop Outs

(0 0 !!) Note here,completely shut off the power from all sources.Preferably be doubly sure by having a surge protector with an extra switch be the central power shut off for your system.

[1] An easy troubleshooting problem,here would be to write down your BIOS settings. (Most BIOS are accesable using the delete key on a start up). Then replace that small camera battery on the motherboard with a new one. Especially if its been a while since you first got your computer. It should be replaced every 7 mos. or so.

[2] After you look and see that all of the connections to the disk drives are tight (at the drives) look and check the connections at the MB. Usually a nice papermate,or equivalent will allow you to just press firmly enough to be sure they are snug.
[2.a] Check the power connections as well to the drives.

[3]Get yourself a can of compressed air,and blow the dust off the inside of the case around the keyboard/mouse connections. Then the motherboard,and on around the inside of the computer case.

[3.a] Use that can of air,and blow off the memory components.

___________
1,2,3, are all things that can immediately be done w/o much ado. Check your computer manual for how to access the BIOS if you can. Remember that when the battery is replaced,you will have to enter the same exact settings or the computer will not boot or run.

These are things that can be done before continuing further actually examining the hardware components.For example removing reseating the memory.

[4] Look at the spinning fan at the center of the motherboard,and see that if it has a fan connection wire,that its attachment to the board is also firmly in place. Look at computer manual and be sure the fans are attached properly. Further esthetic dusting can be done for the fans if you want to do that. But this gets more advanced at any single session.

...............
May just be a cpu shutdown due to a necesary dusting off,and replacement of the cmos battery. There are other further steps to look for but I didn't cover them here. Look into your manual and be sure to have power connections completely 'off.

Do this before considering a software problem.Too it may be the power as another poster had noted.But usually these I noted are the first to be suspected in a random problem such as yours told. Consider detaching any usb devices to troubleshoot as well.They use power,and much more apharent to power would be the dust problem/connection problem...Good luck.

Hope this helps.