Windows Ibm Thinkpad Stopped Running

I have a Windows IBM thinktop laptop that is running Windows 98 on a Windows XP Professional
1-2CPU.

I purchased it on eBay as a refurbished non-returnable laptop. It ran as long as the ac was plugged in. Running it on battery only was short, less than an hour running time. That is why I always had the ac plugged in. The battery indicator always showed 98 to 100% capacity.

The battery stopped charging two days ago and I ran it on ac. The computer crashed a few times and once went into standby mode. An error message asked if I wanted to bypass standby and I checked the OK button. Now it won't start at all. It attempts to start up then goes blank.

Can I reset it to run with only the ac plunged in, or will it run if I install a new battery?

 

What about a SSD card?

s.

 

I do apologize. I was getting a little ahead of myself. It is no anwser to the OP's question.
My thought stems from thinking that the PC would end up working much better with a SSD drive.
A costly process perhaps. Small SSD drive?
It has been a long time since I have repaired a Windows 98 machine. Perhaps hierens bootable cd may help.

.
Good luck with the search.
s.

Oh yea...
Perhaps the disk drive is coming to the end of its life.
Pure guess work?

 

I found a link.
If you boot up from the system disk and upgrade. It returns to normal.
s

 

I pretty sure you're not going to find SATA drivers for Win 98. If this laptop is that old, you're not going to have SATA, just IDE.
Confused - I guessing he have a laptop loaded with Win98, that has a Windows XP compatible sticker, maybe?
"Windows 98 on a Windows XP Professional" This whole thread is a head scratcher.

 

I'm sorry for all the confusion I caused. Stephen has a solution that might work, the heirens bootable cd. I can't download it here on my iPad but will try to get it on another computer. I'll post it if is successful.

Hope that cd will boot up the old laptop. Thanks to all that replied.

 

I was thinking of something like this;
SATA Adapter
But I'm not sure that it would fit...
s.

 

I did find this.
Which would probably work but it does need a mSATA Mini SSD.
s.

 

Without any guaranteed knowledge.
I thought that the sata adapter allowed fro a connector for a SSD drive to a IDE input.
I was really following what I has posted earlier.
Apologies for not explaining,
s.

 

So it will not start Windows or will not POST - power on? If it will not power on: remove the battery, hold the power button for a few seconds. Then plug in the AC and try turning on. I have seen a laptop that would not power on unless it had a battery, so depending on the age of the system you could replace the battery to test that.

 

I tried as you suggested foogoo and my computer is one that will not power on without a battery. I also tried the Hirens boot cd that didn't work.
I would like to get a new battery to try but I can't find one on Amazon or eBay. The numbers on the battery is 43GM and E2000833. It is 10.8V at 4.4 AH. Does anyone know where I can purchase one at a reasonable price?

 

Unless it's running specialized equipment/software, I don't see the point of wasting money either.

 

Thank you Plodr for your response.

I just found a website battdepot.com that might have a replacement for me at a reasonable price, only $29 plus shipping which is another &10. The photo they have is the same as mine. If the photo is correct, I'll be able to plug it in. All specifactions are the same except for the capacity. My battery is 10.8V 4.4Ah, the new battery is 10.8V 6600 mah/71Wh.

I sent them an email to see what their policy is. If I can return it for a refund, I will purchase it.

Do you think the capacity will be OK?

Red

 

Yes, you are right. I was informed before I purchased it that the new model has more cells and that it would protrude. It would interfere with a docking station. I don't have that, so it should be OK.

It will be good if the battery will last longer. If the new battery solves my problem, I know now that the laptop will not run on AC only and a new battery will be needed.

 

I received my battery that was shipped 30% capacity according to law. I was told to recharge it to full capacity before using, which I did. That's what I thought, the battery is being charged. I learned too late that the battery was being discharged instead. Everything was working fine until I got an error message to switch over to AC to avoid loosing files. The battery is now down to 11% capacity.

That's exactly what happened with my original battery. If I don't find out quickly how I can switch over to AC, I'm going to to loose everything. I thought switching to AC was automatic. Is there a setting for that? If I can get it working on AC while I still have a little battery life, I'll have to find a way to get the charger working again.

Is there a setting that can be done manually?

Another thing that I noticed in battery settings, no battery is installed. There were no instructions that came with the battery on installing.


Red

 

To switch over to AC, you simply need to disconnect the battery with the AC plugged in (after turning the laptop COMPLETELY off). Apparently, your AC charger is the culprit and it's what needs to be replaced.

 

Thanks for your reply mdonah.

That would be great if that's the solution. I ordered one and will post the results when it's delivered.

Thanks again
Red

 

Thanks to all moderators that helped me regain my laptop.

I received my new power supply and everything is working fine now. The battery is charging now and I can now boot up without the battery connected. That has been the problem ever since I purchased the refurbished laptop.

Thanks again.
Red