The vintage HP computer sometimes fails to start.
The vintage HP computer sometimes fails to start.
I recently put together the components from an older HP computer to run Windows 98 retro gaming.
The system includes an ASUS K7M (HP OEM), an AMD Athlon 1000 (AMD-K7100MNR53B A) CPU, an ASUS AGP-V3800 Nvidia TNT2 GPU with 32Mb memory, a new Corsair CX450M PSU, and both a floppy drive and hard drive connected.
Occasionally when turned on, the fans start up and the floppy tests, but no display appears. Sometimes the screen shows but hangs during POST. When I insert a boot floppy, it gives a "all good" beep and prompts.
I've tried re-seating the CPU and GPU, and also booted without the floppy or hard drive. Without a boot disk it still freezes on the POST screen.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I've attempted to reinsert the CPU (it's a slot one), and the GPU. On the RAM, CPU, and GPU's gold contacts, use an eraser to carefully remove any carbon buildup. Clear away any visible lint from the eraser, then reinsert them. Have you considered trying a different HDD and reinstalling the OS in DOS?
New PSUs deliver significantly reduced amps on the 12v rails, possibly meaning your updated PSU isn't supplying enough power for the older setup. This applies to a system that's been running for about 25 years. The motherboard likely has capacitors that are barely holding, causing intermittent performance. Uploading detailed close-ups of the motherboard would be helpful. Emulation has improved considerably, making it a practical option to run Windows 98 games on an 86box, often outperforming the original hardware. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xghrSaKn7yM
The assumption is that the motherboard now includes a fresh battery. It's been quite some time, but I'm unsure if the AGP slot supports older GPUs with three slots being compatible with the two-slot port after the upgrade to newer AGP 8x. What does the question ask?
I'll try cleaning the contacts and see if that helps.
I tried two diffrent drives both were checked on another computer. There is currently no os. I was able to fdisk and format the drive but when trying to install windows 98 it would not recognize the drive as formatted properly.
I've tried using the original PSU from the computer but the issue still occurred.
I'll try and get some pics to upload here of mine.
You're right, emulation would probably be a lot easier. But it's not the same experience as using the real thing.
The battery is a new one.
The gpu is the same one that came with the computer, and back then there were never any issues.
Prompt is what you get with boot floppy. Options for CD-ROM support or not and network or not. Then the classic A:\
I attempted to clean the contacts following the instructions, but there was no visible improvement.
Here are some pictures of the situation.
It's interesting, that CPU is quite old. I'm certain my system still has a 700MHz Slot-A slot in an outdated PC that hasn't been used for years. On such an older motherboard, it's wise to inspect the electrolytic capacitors for any signs of swelling or leakage, and swap them out with low-ESR alternatives if needed. I've replaced several newer boards with more contemporary CPUs. This approach is quite practical, particularly if you plan to keep using the machine in the future.
You haven't mentioned the RAM. If you have multiple DIMMs installed, are they all identical in brand and model number, or do they resemble the mix of capacities and speeds found on my own systems from that time?
Since the PC occasionally fails during POST, try installing just one DIMM at a time to observe the outcome. Remove it, install another single DIMM, and test again. Continue this process until you've verified all available slots.
If you manage to find an early version of MemTest86 or 86+ that supports CDROM installation, create a bootable CD and run MemTest to individually assess each DIMM. I'm uncertain whether the motherboards from that era supported USB booting, which is why I recommend using a CD to launch MemTest (assuming you can reach that stage).
It's been quite some time since I installed Windows 98SE, but for more recent versions like XP and 7.10, you don't need to create and format partitions on the hard drive before installing the operating system. In fact, I'm more inclined to erase any pre-installed partitions from Microsoft setup so it can select the optimal partitions and formats.
Did you format the hard disk using NTFS? If yes, you might find it easier to format it as FAT32, or simply wipe the drive completely and let the Windows 98 setup tool handle the partitioning and formatting automatically.
You can read more about this topic here: https://www.techrepublic.com/forums...e-...-win98-se/
I believed the opposite was true, meaning modern power supplies deliver more current to the 12V rails compared to the 5V and 3.3V rails. Regardless, a 250W PSU would likely suffice for an Asus K7M, Athlon 1000 with AGP-V3800.
The website below provides further insight:
https://www.playtool.com/pages/psurailhi...rails.html
"The shift in power distribution across the rails necessitates caution when installing an older PSU into a newer system. Older power supplies typically supply most of their output to 3.3 and 5 volts, whereas newer ones focus more on the 12V rail."