Troubleshooting old notebook, but I can't read Japanese!

Troubleshooting old notebook, but I can't read Japanese!
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TheMG @ 26th Oct 12:10AM:
Troubleshooting old notebook, but I can't read Japanese!

I've got an NEC "98 note" notebook computer I'm trying to get working (just for fun) but it won't boot and the messages that come up are presumably in Japanese writing or something.

Model number I believe is PC9821Ne340/W

I took a video of the boot up process (if it's unreadable in the embedded version, go to YouTube and it should be available in HD soon):

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiyIHMdc4uk

Anyone able to read this that can translate it for me?
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Punchline @ 26th Oct 02:40PM:
Re: Troubleshooting old notebook, but I can't read Japanese!

Sorry I can't translate, but you made me kind of curious. The text it actually really nice looking, not the stereotypical 'diagnostic' kind of text. But then again, I don't often read Japanese error messages!

You might try the [H] if you're not having any luck here, »www.hardforum.com/.

(I think I'm allowed to link, apologies if not).

-P
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ross @ 26th Oct 10:07PM:
Re: Troubleshooting old notebook, but I can't read Japanese!

If it has a floppy drive, or a CD-ROM drive, try booting a Windows 98 system disk (English, of course). If it has a hard drive, maybe that is the problem; i.e., perhaps you should try booting a Windows 98 install disk, or Linux live CD, and try to install a new operating system. Or, you could download the FreeDOS floppy image and add a suitable utility to query the hardware to determine the memory, and devices installed, the BIOS revision, etc., before you go any further. I assume you have tried entering the BIOS after POST by pressing [Delete], or [F1], or [F10], or some other common methods for entering the BIOS on that vintage laptop. If not, it might be worth a shot to find out if the system has a language selection in the BIOS. Certainly, if you can get Windows 98 to install, or Linux, you can use a utility to find out about the hardware and the software, all in English.
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3SGTE @ 26th Oct 11:51PM:
Re: Troubleshooting old notebook, but I can't read Japanese!

First set:

Starting from initial settings.

Please proceed to setup

Second set:

Please insert the system disc

(basically, I'm in a rush at the moment)
--
Striving for Parfection.
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caffeinator @ 28th Oct 08:47PM:
Re: Troubleshooting old notebook, but I can't read Japanese!

Is this what you have?

»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEC_PC-9801
»euc.jp/articles/pc9800.en.html

possible specs?
»translate.googleusercontent.com/···4j3n0gNg

OT: nifty retro article about your notebook...from 1991

»www.nytimes.com/1991/10/04/busin···lor.html
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My 9/11 Tribute..online since 9/14/01
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3SGTE @ 30th Oct 09:55AM:
Re: Troubleshooting old notebook, but I can't read Japanese!

Any updates?
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