Member Avatar for brams

When I start my computer with the on button nothing happen. It does power up because I get a light on but it does not boot. If I push the reset button 4-5 times it will finally boot.
When it does boot, the screen says that the system has failed to boot several time and than it will load default bios.
When the system is running it seems fine except once in a while it will shut down completly and try to restart for no reason.
I have tried Adware, Search-Destroy, C-cleaner, It is not a viris.
I have also gone into bios to try and load default bios, but nothing happens.
System is Windows 98se, mother board is a Asrock K7S41GX(if that matter)

Thank You

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by cguan_77

Dani AI

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, and are on the right track: this is a hardware-level problem (BIOS/POST) so software scanners are unlikely to help. The behaviour described — BIOS reporting defaults and requiring repeated resets before a successful POST, plus occasional hard shutdowns — is consistent with a CMOS/BIOS power issue but can also come from an unstable power supply, a shorted/sticking front-panel switch, or failing motherboard components. Focus first on reproducible, low-risk diagnostics to narrow the cause.

Quick, prioritized checks to perform:

  1. Note the BIOS clock/date after a successful boot. A clock that does not hold time after power-off supports a CMOS power problem.
  2. With the PC unplugged and proper ESD precautions, measure the backup cell voltage with a DMM. Replace if the reading is well below the nominal value for that cell.
  3. Try a minimal boot: disconnect drives and add-on cards, leave CPU, heatsink/fan, PSU, one RAM stick and video. Boot and swap the single RAM stick between slots to rule out memory slot or stick failure.
  4. Inspect the motherboard for bulging or leaking electrolytic capacitors and for any scorch marks or loose connectors.
  5. Test or swap the PSU. Verify +12V and +5V rails stay within spec under load or try a known-good PSU to exclude intermittent power-good failure.
  6. Check the front-panel header: a stuck reset/power switch or bad wiring can produce resets or prevent a stable start; try starting by momentarily shorting the power pins on the front-panel header (with care) or swapping the reset/power connectors.

If the battery replacement and PSU swap do not fix it, the fault often shifts to the motherboard (bad caps, VRM problems, or failing chipset). Avoid flashing or updating BIOS until the board will boot reliably. Useful diagnostics to record for deeper troubleshooting are POST/beep codes, exact BIOS messages, measured rail voltages, and clear photos of any suspect capacitors.

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Member Avatar for Chaky

You have dead CMOS battery. It is a removable coin-shaped lithium battery beneath the PCI slots.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Yes, its on the motherboard and looks like one of those round watch batteries. There silver and fairly cheap and easy to replace. Remember to follow anti-static precautions, get the correct battery (consult motherboard manual) and put it in the correct way or you could kill your PC.

Member Avatar for cguan_77

try what chaky and jbennet had said, if it doesn't work check your memory and try to clean the gold fingers before putting it back to the mobo..

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