thanks for the tip.. i would not have thought CMOS values would cause this but it's worth a try. Note that there is a CMOS clearing jumper so I guess I'll try that first.
UPDATE: I tried your procedure as well as the procedure in the manual and it made no difference. The manual said unplug and remove the battery, then move the jumper for 5-10 secs, then move it back. I guess the jumper is analogous to holding down the power button.
My laptop is over 15 years old. I have an expresscard in it now (to get USB3). I think PCMCIA is compatible, correct? IIUC both PCMCIA and ExpressCard are 54mm wide, but the expresscard only uses half the pins.