Hello,

this is not really a linux question, but then again it is, since the computer is(was) running linux...

I have a 'home-server'; a pentium I 120MHz. running slackware 9.

Recently i have shut it down to install a new CPU(P1 166MHz). After installing it and starting the machine again, the CPU was working fine and all, but at the point where the machine has to boot(either floppy or harddisk) it just locks up.

It is supposed to boot from floppy first, and if there is now floppy in the drive, it boots from harddisk. But it never event touches the floppy, it locks up before that point.

I have taken out/replaced almost any hardware(except the motherboard..). Another CPU won't work either. But the most worst part is, it doesn't even work whit the old CPU back in place.

Right now, when I boot the machine it gives a message "CMOS-checksum error, loaded defaults". It reports this message every time after a cold boot, which leads me to the conclusion that the BIOS is damaged (?)

Does this make any sense?
or has anyone any other thoughts?

I would like to bring to have this machine running again

thanks for any help..

have you tried pulling the motherborad battery out for a little bit to reset the bios?

the battery is soldered to the board, so pulling it out is a little difficult

I did reset the BIOS whit a jumper; didn't help. So i loaded the BIOS defaults, which didn't work either.

I also already checked the voltage of the battery, which was good.

What order does the bios default settings give as you boot order? Make sure you set first boot FLOPPY, second boot CD ROM and third boot HDD.

I got two options for the boot sequence: "a,c" or "c,a"
both wont work..

I've been messing around whit this board for the last couple of days, and I think I've tried everything i could think of.
no succes
guess i need a new motherboard..

Have you tried the floppy drive in a different pc? Are you positive that all the cables are working and in the right place?

Make sure the floppy ribbon cable is installed correctly. If reversed the disk activity light will stay illuminated all of the time.

Ive tried another floppy-drve and another cable, both didn't help..
And the cable is connected properly.

I don't know what has gotten into this thing..it just refuses to work whatever i do

thanks for the suggestions anyway

EyesOnly, When the PC boots, how many beeps do you get?

As normal, a single beep. Or was it two? not sure anymore have to check that out..
It starts up normal, but it locks up when it should boot from the boot-device, whitout any error-messages.

I think i can get another motherboard soon, but i still wonder what's up whit this board
And I would still like to get it to work; i will have to modify the computerhousing to make the new motherboard fit in, unless i can get one of those old pentium boards..