Laptop Problems

HEy all,

Here's the scoop.

My laptop is acting weird.

First, the specs:

HP Pavilon 5600 (Notebook)
2.8 Gig Processor
256 Megs of Ram
60 Gig Hard Drive
Windows XP
About three years old

Initially, went I started it up, it stalled at the HP Logo screen for probably a good twenty minutes. Reason I think it was that long was because I am USE to it automatically going into Windows XP. During that time, I noticed the fan working extra hard to keep the system cool.

I unplugged it (fearing that it was overheating), and almost immediately it powered down (probably due to the battery not having much of a charge). I plugged it back in, and then tried again...same deal.

I unplugged it again, and it again powered down after a few seconds. I then plugged it in yet again, and this time in desperation, pushed a few keys, noticing it still stalls at that screen...or so I thought. I hit a button and the options of F2 for SetUp, F12 Lan, and Esc for Boot Options appear. Strange thing is...the laptop has never done that before. Nevertheless though, it boots right into Windows XP.

Everything works (I even got F2 to work now if I push it repeatedly when the laptop starts up), but it waits for me to push a button. Now, it may seem trivia, but it concerns me because I am wondering what is going on there.

I have tried to restart it several times. Same deal happens. I noticed it takes a long time for it to bring up the message about selecing F2 for setup, Esc for boot Options, etc. Also, one time that message showed up PARTIALLY in either green or red (my mind is hazy as to which). Nonetheless, once I push a button, it will respond.

I did look at HP's website, and the only one that CLOSELY resembles my problem is it 'hanging' at the HP logo screen. However, it DOES respond if I push a key so I don't know if that is considered 'hanging'. From that, it suggested resetting the memory module, which seems weird because wouldn't it not work at all past the Logo screen if that was an issue?

Any thoughts?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

So a bit of an update on it all:

I have run seagate seatools (the windows version...the DOS version doesn't work for me for some reason), and Fujitsu Diag to check the Hard Disk Drive and Controller which turned out fine.

I ran Memtest86 and it passed.

I have reset the CMOS.

I have contacted HP and did what they did (for the most part. I couldn't flash my BIOS again since I don't have a disk drive).

I am running out of options. Again, it works perfectly fine except I have to press that key. One person suggested during off the HP logo to see what is going on in the background, but I don't see an option for that in the BIOS.

Thoughts anyone?

There's nowhere I can't reach.