-=PCTechTalk=- Re: help with old computer
- From: "~OoO~" <SirTroth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2003 08:56:09 -0400
Ok... so the machine is a Pentium 1, 200mhz MMX CPU. Uses the AWARD BIOS.
If you remove the CMOS battery, in general, yes, it would reset the CMOS. But,
sometimes you need to keeo the battery out for an extended time in order for
the CMOS to reset. Or, there would be a jumper on the mobo to reset the BIOS.
Either way, removing the battery is a good start, for two reasons. One because
you want to make sure you have a good battery (P1-200MMX is old, and that might
be an original battery), and two because it will most likely go automatically
into the BIOS for you, with no need to know what to press.
Another way to get into the setup/BIOS is you can start the computer with the
keyboard unplugged. This should give you a keyboard error, and allow you to
press the key to enter setup.
You sort of have to work part for part. I would check the cables and jumper
settings of the devices, and possibly play with replacing the RAM... a possible
cause for intermittent start-ups.
Also check to see that all the fans are working (CPU fan, power supply fan, and
any additional stand-alone fans). A non-working fan could result in a component
overheating, which in turn would not allow you start the system normally...
especially if its the CPU fan.
---Troth
----- Original Message -----
From: Jo Ann W.
To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 10:39 PM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: help with old computer
Glen,
Have looked inside the case with a flashlight. My eyes are not what they
used to be. Here's what I can see. It is an ASUS motherboard. There are big
letters in the center that say TX97. Found what may be the BIOS chip, says
AWARD software 1995. Will try to boot it later and see what I can read
quickly.I doubt booting several times in a row, as it often doesn't want to
boot at all. I see the CMOS battery. I can replace it, but don't you lose
all the CMOS settings when you do that? The guy I got it from said he built
it. Said it has a 200 MMX, I think CPU. It has three memory slots that are
full, but I can't tell what kind of RAM it is. It doesn't look like the real
old kind. My hubby is sick right now, so my time is limited. Will try to
boot it again and see what I can learn in the next few days. My weekend is
really full.
Jo Ann
> Jo Ann,
> You need to get into bios. Del or F2 key will get you
> there(usually).
>
> Being an older computer the first thing I would do is
> crack open the case get all the motherboard info
> possible. Any writing on the motherboard that will
> help identify it. Find the CMOS litium battery and
> replace it.
>
> Find the Bios Brand(usually Phoenix or Award) and
> version number.
>
> Write all this down.
>
> Then pass it on to us. Hopefully we can knock our
> heads together and dig up some more info.
>
> This will be a great learning experience...
>
> Glen
>
>
> --- "Jo Ann W." <HILLFARM3@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > I bought an old computer at a garage sale and am
> > trying to get it fixed up for my grandson. The only
> > thing I know about it so far is it has a 200 CPU and
> > is running Windows 95. It will only boot every 4th
> > or 5th time I try it. I'm not sure if the floppy is
> > working since the light doesn't flash on it while it
> > is booting. It didn't have a CD rom. I have put one
> > in and it is getting power and the tray works, but
> > Windows doesn't see it. I would like to upgrade it
> > to Win98, but with the floppy and CD problems I
> > can't yet. When it is booting, it says no drives
> > installed, then boots into Windows, when it does
> > boot that is. I have another floppy and a hard drive
> > I could use. But if it's the motherboard I'll have
> > to junk it. I hardly know where to start to fix it.
> > Could some one help me get started?
> > Jo Ann
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