previous attempts at booting this system have failed at checkpoint cab1

If you reboot and press F2, can you get into BIOS setup? If you can, copy down all the current settings.

Then try this:

1. Power off and unplug
2. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
3. Open case and remove motherboard battery
4. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
5. Reinstall battery (right-side-up!)*
6. Close the case and reboot
7. Press F2 and go into BIOS setup. Make sure all settings match what you copied, and save any changes you make before exiting setup.

That may clear the error message.

*If battery is more than ~2-3 years old, this might be a good time to install a fresh one.