I have a problem with a Win98SE machine that is now not booting up. From what I understand, it was working fine on Friday, was left on over the weekend, and now, will not boot. Durring the boot process, it goes into a screen where it goes through the following test: RPL-ROM-ADR: 003018-650917 RPL-ROM-IRQ: 10 RPL-ROM-FFC: (here it counts up from 1 and when it gets to 5 gives the next) RPL-ROM-ERR:DE08 ; RPL HALTED The system is a PIII on an integrated motherboard (by motherboard) with SiS630T Chipset. Meaning of course that the Ethernet controller, video controller and everything else is part and parcel with the motherboard. I have a suspicion that the computer is looking for the Novell server that is no longer part of the network. And yes, I did change the primary logon to be Microsoft Network instead of Novell. Is there any way that I can get past this in order to get to a dos prompt so I can edit the system files? I have tried booting up with a Win98 boot disk, but it doesn't seem to want to work. Thanks.

Not only is your computer looking for the server, it's trying to boot of it! You need to enter BIOS and change the boot sequence.

Yes, that's the network card attempting a Remote Program Load (RPL) - is DE08 correct? You need to access the card's setup - sometimes the key sequence will be displayed at the start (CTRL-S for IBM PXE, for example)- or else there will be an external setup program. Editing system files won't help - the system hasn't even loaded at that point - you might check the boot order in the BIOS and try unselecting Network boot from there, or put it dead last. The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing..if you can fake that, you've got it made.

Thanks. It seems that the "Boot Other" option was enabled. So, when I disabled it, rebooted, I received a different error which indicated it was trying to boot from the CDROM. So, I plugged in the Win98 Install disk, and lo and behold, the hard drive is the culprit. So, I'm off to replace the hard drive (with a new computer). Thanks for the assist! :)

Just because the drive fails to boot does not necessarily mean it's offically dead - there could be a number of reasons (and possible solutions). Still, whatever you feel is appropriate. The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing..if you can fake that, you've got it made.

'with a new computer' - heh - I missed that. Drastic (but effective) The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing..if you can fake that, you've got it made.

I agree with Jboy. Before you jump to conclusions, download a diagnostic from the hard drive manufacturer's web site. The drive might just have a data problem that can be easily corrected.