Post Fails on IBM 300 GL 350 MHZ 128 MB Ram

[aerowolf]

I am looking at a computer for a friend (IBM 300 GL- 350 MHZ, 128 MB RAM, USB, CDRW) and it doesn't always start up and load windows.
 Most of the time it starts the POST and freezes and shows the cursor and 7A in the upper right and NO beeps. Sometimes it will boot up without a hitch but most if the time it doesn't I cleared the hard drive and started over and it did this without any operating system at all.
 I checked CMOS and it seems to be set correctly and tried to update bios but it keeps telling me to restart which hardly ever works and gets me no where. Is it time for this one to sink or you think it can swim? Any help appreciated.

[merlin_2]

will fire up to safe mode?un plug the cdrw usb and see if this helps?

[aerowolf]

merlin_2. thanks for the reply. I disconnected the USB and CDRW... same deal, nothing different. I did notice the case was a little beat from being opened many times before me and did a little minor adjustment and that seemed to take away the 7A hang up. I updated the BIOS via IBM's website and that went well. It now passes POST, goes to splash screen but sits a long time at the black screen after splash with the blinking cursor and then finally boots up to WIN 98SE. It takes like 1 min. 30 secs. You think it might need the WIN 98 updates to clear this up? Not sure but your opinion would help. TIA

[Raptor]

I would think you either require a format/defragmentation or a faster PC..