Thanks, Randy_tx.I've got windows 98. I purchased the computer from Comp USA about 15 mos. ago. Is installing a new battery a big deal? Also could you be more specific about booting from a disc? I have "fair" computer skills at best. Thanks again.

It's always better to keep the Original thread going rather than start a new topic....you will get better help ...just a reminder for the future http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
The battery is a quarter sized silver item on the motherboard usually located right next to the PCI (white) slots near the place you put the Keyboard into the mobo. Carefully pry it out of the holder and most Radio Shack stores carry a replacement for about $3. To boot from a floppy(which I would do BEFORE buying a battery) you have to have a boot-up disk. You can make one on just about any computer(other than yours right now http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif) by going into Windows Control Panel- Look for the A drive and put a blank floppy in the machine and right click the A icon...choose Format...when the screen comes up ....choose "Copy system files only"......when it's done you have a boot disk........then put it in your machine and start it up.......if the motherboard, ram & cpu are ok.......it will take you to an A: prompt.....@ the A prompt type C: and hit enter.......if it goes to c: and you can type Dir/p enter .......and it reveals your directories.......then you can ELIMINATE the hard drive as a problem......Post back (here http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif) with your results. good luck!

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"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

[This message has been edited by Randy_tx (edited 03-16-2001).]