HP6540C won't immediately restart after shutdown

[bejizimit]

I've had this computer since 2000, running win98 SE, 466 processor. Computer will restart ok if I select this option from the shutdown menu, but if I completely shutdown, then press the power button to restart, the yellow light under the power button stays lit, the speakers emit a scratching-squeal, and there is no restart. I have to hold in the power button to turn it off, and wait upt to 5 minutes, and retry. Sometimes it starts, if the computer had not been on long prior, or finally restarts after several attempts. I'm wondering if this is a power supply problem, temperature related.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Idnew]

Try taking the BIOS battery out and see if it will boot without it. Could be a dead or dying battery.