Windows98 on IBM Aptivas

hang @ boot
 Win98 on the Aptiva E Series
"I received the free WIN 98 upgrade offer and have spent the
last three days attempting to get my 2137-E84 system to boot
from power off. If I wait for the system to "hang" booting
WIN98 and hit ALT CTRL DEL and then proceed with the normal
startup option it boots fine."
The above issue of Aptiva Exx series models hanging up at the Win98 startup logo screen during all cold boots from a power off state seems to be a very commonly reported problem early on.

This concern (now acknowkledged as a Known Koncern by Microsoft in MSKB article Q190603 and which from the feedback I've gotten only seems to effect the newer E series models preloaded with Win95 and then upgraded to Win98) requires the user to either start in Safe Mode and then Restart or wait until the system hangs and then restart via CTRL+ALT+DEL, which brings one to a Safe Mode prompt ("Win98 failed to completely load yadda, yadda, yadda") at which point the suggestion to boot to Safe Mode can be overridden by choosing to "Start Normally".

This issue has been determined to be caused by a conflict with the CD-ROM drive on these models (users performing a Step-by-step confirmation boot report that the hang occurs when the system attempts to load the file ICVBIDEC.VXD). IBM reportedly is working on a patch to address this issue, while they obviously hope to release it as soon as possible there is no definate ETA at this time.

Users contacting the 800# HelpCenter on this issue are advised to disable 32bit protected mode driver support and force CD-ROM support via 16bit real mode drivers. This obviously is at best an unsatisfactory "band aid" workaround, as by anyone's yardstick slowing the system to a crawl by forcing all drives into MS-DOS compatibility mode can hardly be considered a "fix".

The following is the twofold procedure users report being provided by IBM HelpCenter tech support via 1-800-772-2227:

[1] Disable 32bit Protected-Mode Disk Drivers
  • Click Start > Point to Programs > Point to Accessories > Point to System Tools > Click System Information
  • On the Tools menu, click System Configuration Utility
    [or as an alterantive to the above:
    Click Start > Click Run > Type MSCONFIG > Click OK]
  • On the General tab, Click the Advanced button
  • Click the box next to Force Compatibility Mode Disk Access
  • Click OK > Click OK > Click NO to restarting your computer
[2] Enable 16bit Real-Mode CD-ROM Drivers
  • Click Start > Click Run > Type SYSEDIT > Click OK
  • Choose the AUTOEXEC.BAT file
  • Add the following line:
    LH C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\MSCDEX.EXE /D:IBMCD001 /L:G
  • Click File > Click Save
  • Close SYSEDIT
  • Click Start > Click Shutdown > Choose Restart the computer
Again, I do NOT recommend the above as it slows system performance. My suggestion is to use one of the following two workarounds:

METHOD 1

When you start your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears > Choose Safe Mode. Once Windows 98 is loaded, click Start > Click Shut Down > Click Restart > Click OK.

METHOD 2

If your computer hangs, restart your computer and choose Normal on the Windows 98 Startup menu.

I suggest starting the PC using one of the above, using Standby often to reduce the frequency of performing a full startup and to keep your fingers crossed for a swift resolution in the form of a patch from IBM. As soon as any further information (or hopefully a software fix to more properly address this issue) is available I will post the information here.

UPDATE 9/12/98
Possible Fix For E-Series Cold Boot Hang


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