Yep, I know this laptop is old as Methuselah, but I hope someone here can help!
I use this laptop only rarely for a diagnostic program for my motorbike. As such, I haven't used it in over 2 years.
I tried to start it, and it went to blank screen with a cursor prompt. Okay, I look to see what could cause this. I open it up, remove and re-seat the RAM. Check BIOS battery... it has possibly leaked. I buy a new one.
Got the new battery today, installed and rebuilt and huzzah! It starts up. I go into BIOS and change the date, check boot-up medium, restart.
Okay, the problem: If I start up on battery, the laptop hangs while loading WIndows XP. I can start in safe mode but this doesn't allow me to use the diagnostic program. The battery also dies after maybe 5 minutes.
If I try to start the laptop with the power cord plugged into the brick, battery in or not, it does the same blank screen with cursor prompt.
I am pretty sure I need a new/refurbished battery, but wanted to check here before I go ahead and buy one. Any help that can be offered is massively appreciated!