Compaq Presario Rebooting

**tobevers** · July 5th, 2006, 08:24 PM

I'm having a tough time with a client pc and can't figure this one out. It's a Compaq Presario 5000. It will boot to Windows 98 (SE) and before completely loading startup programs, will reboot. I have tried a clean boot by using Selective Startup in the system config utility and disabling all options. Still does the same thing. I have also tried booting using step-by-step confirmation from the DOS startup menu and telling the OS not to load vxd's. Same problem. I am at a roadbloack. It will boot into safe mode and operate without the reboot. I also tried restoring the registry to an earlier date before the problem started occurring. I did this from the command line (scanreg /restore). Same problem.
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

**street1** · July 5th, 2006, 11:52 PM

This acts like a weak -not dead Cmos battery.

Also I would take out the memory and clean the contacts
with a new/clean pencil eraser rub gently to remove any
tarnish or buildup.

I am assuming you have already assured the computer
is clean inside.

**tobevers** · July 6th, 2006, 12:29 AM

The battery is something that I have not checked, but will. I wasn't aware a weak cmos battery could cause this type of problem, so that is good to know. Yes, the inside of the case is clean. I previously reseated everything and ran memtest86 to make sure it was not a memory stick giving me problems.

**street1** · July 6th, 2006, 05:39 AM

A weak CMOS battery can also cause a bad BIOS flash.It should be replaced as a precautionary measure before flashing BIOS in most cases.Most people just flash the BIOS without a thought and if it fails they don't even think about the CMOS battery.

Weak but,not dead or appearing to be failing ie....borderline is not so usual but,it is one of the mystery problems.

**tobevers** · July 6th, 2006, 08:45 PM

I have replaced the battery and still having the same problem. Any other suggestions?

Have also noticed this... If I boot the computer into Windows (user mode, not safe mode), it will load everything correctly and will not reboot. As soon as I move the mouse, it reboots. I removed and reinstalled the mouse driver... same problem. It is using the Microsoft legacy mouse driver and as far as I know uses the same driver in safe mode, so I cannot explain why this happens in user mode but not safe mode.

**street1** · July 6th, 2006, 09:59 PM

Okay you can right click on my computer-properties-Click on Advanced-Startup and Recovery-Click Settings-Uncheck Automatically restart.

See if this works-though it still doesn't solve the issue.I suppose the same thing happens with any mouse including PS/2 or USB.

**tobevers** · July 6th, 2006, 10:09 PM

This is a Win98SE machine and I believe you're thinking of XP.

**street1** · July 6th, 2006, 10:22 PM

Sorry about the XP crossover thing.If the below web page don't give you some relief........I am lost sorry.

http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/shutdown.php#2

**geeksRus** · July 6th, 2006, 11:29 PM

this could be any number of things...from power supply issues to corrupt drivers. check THIS Microsoft article for some tips.

**tobevers** · July 7th, 2006, 10:48 AM

street1...I found that page last night as well. I'm giving up and am going to try and do an reinstall over the existing win installation.

**tobevers** · July 7th, 2006, 10:51 AM

geeksRus,
I have tried everything on the link you sent, also. Thanks for all the help, folks, but this one has me frustrated and more than a little torqued off. Gonna reinstall. If same problem exists after that, gonna strap dynamite to it and see if that helps.

**Techdom** · July 7th, 2006, 02:13 PM

Hi there. I would definitely try replacing the mouse with a known good mouse. I've seen at least 2 cases where a mouse causes hang ups or makes the system act erratically.

**tobevers** · July 7th, 2006, 02:17 PM

Tried it. I've tried a different PS/2 mouse, a different USB mouse, and when that didn't work, tried additional USB and PS/2 "mice".

**street1** · July 8th, 2006, 01:22 AM

This acts like a weak -not dead Cmos battery.

Safe mode is the diagnostics mode of Windows. When you start the computer in Safe mode, only the bare-minimal components that are needed to run the operating system are loaded. This mode is useful for troubleshooting the PC, in the event if Windows does not load normally. Safe mode restricts the user in terms of using some functions, such as a connection to the Internet. Safe mode also loads a standard video driver at a low resolution.

I will remember this one "safe mode"caused less strain on the electrical components.

Thank You- tobevers always good to learn something new.