Windows 98 SE laptop does not boot up first time.

Hi,
I have an old Gateway Solo Laptop that I bought a few (4) years ago. It only has 64 MB Ram and running Win 98 Second Edition. The battery in it has died and I really don't want to spend another $100 + for a new battery so I have been able to just use it on power.

It was running so slow, hanging up,. and never shutting down properly so I decided to reformat it and bring it back to the original configuration using the restore CD that came with the computer.

It is running much better now except when I shut it down and then later start up the computer by hitting the power button, it doesn't start. The light comes on but nothing else. Then I hold the power button down until the other light goes out and then hit the power button again and it finally boots up.

I would like to know if it could be my hard drive going on something else is the matter. I would like to give this laptop to my granddaughter for her games but I don't want to if it is ready to completely stay off.

Please advise what I can do to check out why the system doesn't boot up on the first time.

Thank you very much.

Jean

 

Hi Jean,
It seems to be doing a "warm" reboot. When it does this, it does not "recheck" all the hardware. I don't think it will be a harddrive problem.

You could boot into Safe Mode and run Scandisk. Also in Safe Mode, check in Device Manager for any problems.

Disconnect any devices you have plugged in and see if it starts normally.

Go to the model's website and see if there are any "Fequently Asked Questions" that may relate to the problem.

Matt

 

Had the identical situation in a desktop computer. The computer had 2x - 256MB memory sticks. Hot house, computer started fine. As the house temperature changed (with the seasons) only 1x stick would register on start of day cold boot. Wait a minute, warm reboot, both sticks showed. Dead of winter, cool house, your situation and current remedy was the only way computer would start. Replaced both sticks with a matched set of 512MB Kingston, problem stop, works like a charm. My guess .. the memory sticks minimal operating temperature deteriorated. The computer had to "pre-warm them" before they would become functional.

 

Thank you so much for giving me information to help me. I did run Scan Disk in Safe mode and checked Device Manager. All seemed to be OK.

I haven't check the web site yet but I just think I'll give the computer to a friend and see if he can add memory or whatever it takes to get the machine running.

I will give up since it is a laptop and I don't know how to upgrade it.

Thanks for your help.

Jean