Computer will not start

Computer running windows 98SE will not bootup. The hard drive is running but windows will not load. I have tried to boot using a start up disk but same results. I have another similar computer and I tried exchanging the hard drive with same results. Could the CMOS battery be dead.I have owned the computer for about ten years and the battery has never been replaced.

Thanks for you help..

David

Ok. maybe your problem is bios related and cmos is not saving any changes anymore. What kind of make and model number of computer do you have?

Older cmos batteries are easy sometimes to replace as they are just like a watch battery (2032) which are relatively cheap and easy to purchase.

__________________
I’ll keep using Linux until they pry it from my cold dead fingers.

just a quick question though, have you tried checking in bios if Hardrive is first on boot order or is floppy or network first instead.

__________________
I’ll keep using Linux until they pry it from my cold dead fingers.

The computer is a Micron Millennia. I replaced the battery, which did not change anything.
The computer has two lights, one green and one amber. The amber light relates to the hard drive. When I power up the computer the green light comes on and then the amber light comes on and remains on for thirty seconds and then goes out. The computer does not make any sounds associated with the hard drive starting up and there is nothing displayed on the monitor. Holding the hard drive up to your ear you can hear the disc turning.I cannot access the BIOS program because the POST function never takes place.

you need post to take place to see if bios has detected and enabled the hardrive. Looks like that this is the root problem on why Windows 98 se would not boot up. Do you have another computer you can try your hardrives out on to see if they will at least boot up to Windows boot screen.

Also you may be experiencing a power supply failure (intermittent) that is causing all this to happen. Nothing will work until you get a bios post screen first. You can try unseating ram and reinstalling ram one at a time to see if you can get a post screen after only inserting 1 stick at a time. Hardware is not my strong point and it is starting to look like a power supply. ram, or motherboard problem. Maybe some other member here can shine a light on your situation.

http://www.wimsbios.com/biosupdates/micron.jsp

It looks like MPC Computers took over Micron computers/micronpc.com also.http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Micron_Computers

__________________
I’ll keep using Linux until they pry it from my cold dead fingers.