# ZZZZZ wake up ZZZZZZZZ (Computer Related) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 11, 2007, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565 "2007-01-11T16:24:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2007, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/1 "2007-01-11T16:24:02Z")
We have an older compac presario laptop with win 98. It doesn’t get used very much due to its slower than slow. Anyway it won’t turn on. We had a problem with it years ago and found that it was just asleep. Over the years we’ve lost the instructions on how to wake it up. Someone suggested sending it in but it just ain’t worth the price currently being asked by professionals to repair. Did I mention its an older computer? One of my sons friends asked about buying it and we’re OK with that but want to make sure all our information is erased before selling it. Anyone know how to wake this thing up? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2007, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/2 "2007-01-11T16:47:33Z")
Sorry, no answer, but I just wanted to say that you might want to e-mail a mod and have them change your thread title; I came in here assuming it would be about sleep disorders or some such. You might get a better response, and more likelihood of an answer, if the words “presario laptop” are in your thread title somewhere. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2007, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/3 "2007-01-11T18:33:54Z")
Did you try compaq’s website? Usually they h ave some p[retty comprehensive info especially if you put in your model number. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/4 "2007-01-11T19:18:16Z")
It won’t turn on at all? Or it turns on and promptly goes to sleep? If you can get Windows up, head over to power settings (they’re nestled in amongst screen saver settings) and disable sleep/hibernate. Is the friend looking for a usable laptop, or do they collect antiques? I’m being serious here - Microsoft stopped support of Win98 last year, and hardware that old won’t be able to run Windows XP or Vista. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/5 "2007-01-11T19:33:10Z")
I fixed a similar sounding situation by removing a small cover from the bottom, unplugging the cmos battery for a while, and then reconnecting it. ---
**Author:** ![illoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a3d4f5/32.png) [@illoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/illoe)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2007, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/6 "2007-01-11T19:44:30Z")
Most laptops will do a hard reboot if you hold down the power button for five seconds or so. ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/7 "2007-01-12T05:51:36Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] It won’t turn on at all? Or it turns on and promptly goes to sleep? If you can get Windows up, head over to power settings (they’re nestled in amongst screen saver settings) and disable sleep/hibernate. Is the friend looking for a usable laptop, or do they collect antiques? I’m being serious here - Microsoft stopped support of Win98 last year, and hardware that old won’t be able to run Windows XP or Vista. [/QUOTE] Thanks for the response. It just won’t turn on at all. I don’t know what she wants with it. I see its back home. My wife took it in to work to have one of the computer guys look at it. Won’t know any more til she gets up in the morning. BTW I’m using win 95 right now. Wife promised we’d get a new computer after Christmas. Hey wait thats now 😃 thanks all for the info. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/8 "2007-01-12T06:22:24Z")
\ Clarified title. \ ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/9 "2007-01-12T08:18:49Z")
FWIW Compaq’s site was a waste of time. Basicly its unplug the battery. If power indicator light comes on and there is no screen then send the unit in. This model doesn’t have a little door over the c mos battery. Wish it did. What a shame that something as great as a computer turns to nothing more than a place holder in a landfill so quickly. ---
**Author:** ![rocksolid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@rocksolid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocksolid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/10 "2007-01-12T09:58:03Z")
Had the same problem with a compaq although i’m sure the make is just co-incidence. Remove the battery and hold down the power button for a minute or so. Know idea why this works but it did for me on more than one occasion. I’m taking it for granted that you are plugging the thing into the mains as the battery will obviously be totally dead if it’s that old. ---
**Author:** ![rocksolid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@rocksolid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocksolid)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2007, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zzzzz-wake-up-zzzzzzzz-computer-related/387565/11 "2007-01-12T09:59:29Z")
Oh sorry, after holding the power buton in for a minute replace the battery, plug into the mains and try again.