Topic: windows98 reboot / hang-up

[arthurb]

PC failed to boot up (kept hanging up on windoows 98 screen).
Boots up ok in SAFE mode but not in normal mode.

After numerous reset attempts I tried to reload windows98. Everything looked fine until it got to the last stage where it attempts to set up hardware and finalise settings, whereupon it hangs up as before!It never reaches the point where you input the product key number.I assume that if the cd loads up to this point I've input the correct drive numbers commands etc when prompted?

I've tried disabling the few pieces of hardware in Device Manager (not sure if I done it correctly). I only have a mouse, keyboard and speakers.

Any suggestions?

[Sandra]

Hi Arthur, if it runs in safe mode but not in normal windows its usually a driver issue.
Which kind of graphics card have you got and do you get any beeps other than the normal post beep when trying to start normally ?
It sounds typical of a graphics card problem, try unistalling it from the device manager and let it reinstall after rebooting, possibly check its seated fully too, it may have eased away from its slot slightly  

[ketamininja]

Bear in mind that the hardware could also be faulty, and I might suggest so since your Windows setup isn't even getting to the "enter serial number" bit. If this is the case, then when the drivers are attempted to load, the PC crashes because the h/w is not responding correctly.

It isn't already in the restore disc? Are you sure you actually HAVE To type the key (just trying to determine where the PC falls over).

Could also be a power issue if you have a load of H/W on your PC.

[arthurb]

Thanks for the responses.

ketamininja: "It isn't already in the restore disc? Are you sure you actually HAVE To type the key (just trying to determine where the PC falls over)." I don't know! It isn't a power issue though.

Sandra:"It sounds typical of a graphics card problem, try unistalling it from the device manager and let it reinstall after rebooting, possibly check its seated fully too, it may have eased away from its slot slightly"

The only PCI card I can see is a Sound card! The monitor is connected to the MoBo. All connections seem to be ok.

How do I uninstall the graphics then?

When this problem first appeared an error message stating that the CMOS battery failed I am of the understanding that this is only for the on board clock. If this was faulty/ dead could this be my problem? I've removed it and will replace it.    

[Sandra]

You should still be able to remove the display adaptor from Device Manager and let windows find it when it reboots Arthur.
The battery keeps the CMOS settings for everything in the BIOS.
Replace the battery then either set the BIOS up as you require or set it to Load Defaults if you are unsure of what to alter and see if that cures the problem  

[ketamininja]

^ you can remove the graphics that way, yes, but since the problem was occuring during setup as well, before drivers are loaded, I would suggest that this is not the problem (don't quote me tho').

Normal problems for setup fail that can be fixed are in the BIOS, and may well be related since the battery died (And maybe reset everything).

BIOS:
Make sure VIRUS WARNING is OFF.
Make sure A20 GATE is ON.

These two give Windows issues on install.
How do you know that your power is ok? 300W is standard, but if you have too many devices in there, or indeed a faulty power supply, the power regulation may change, and if it drops the voltage across the board from a -5 to say -1 then the system may restart or cause a multitude of problems.

Of course, I can't be certain of any diagnostic in THIS problem unfortunately...

[arthurb]

Fitted new battery. No change.

Loaded BIOS Defaults. No change.

Disabled everything within Device Manager (properly this time)and enabled each one in turn until pc failed to restart properly.

The problem is the "Advanced Power Management". LPT1 Printer port also has a yellow exclamation. I don't have printer connected to this pc therefore it's no problem at present. I've left both disabled for the time being and all is ok.

However, ideally I'd like to completely fix the problem. Can anybody throw some light on the problem.

[Sandra]

If you go into the BIOS then you can set the APM to user defined or disabled, that should solve that problem.
If you go into Device Manager and remove the printer rather than just disable it that should eliminate that problem too Arthur