@Wilfred
Greetings
As for problem 1) I had a similair problem but it required more than 1 reset to get it going... It seems to have to do with the problems associated with age... when you turn off your machine off via the button also turn it off at the wall. Then turn the button on yu machine on again... it won't power up since its turned off at the wall but it will allow static electricity built up in the boards resistors and similair to dissipate... just remember to turn this off again when you go to turn you machine on again... see if it works for you? If it does your machine should boot right through first time...
Makes you wonder in your case at least whether its worth all the hassle if yours boots after one reset... the other more obvious thing is perhaps the system isn't waiting for your harddrives to spin up and goes past the point where the actual harddrive can boot...
As for problem 2) Obviously the loaded modules aren't surviving a reset... you don't have any other strange reset proof software running in the startup as well? Could it be an incompatiable setpatch? Perhaps remove everything except the loading of the kickstart modules?
There are so many variables that really can only be solved by trial and error or exact knowledge of this exact situation... good luck
One last thing I recall is a file in devs I believe NSDPatch.cfg... it's a text file with setting for most boards etc... Setpatch can even disable running this file with a command syntax... I just used to rename it by putting a . at the start of the name then setpatch couldn't find it to execute it... had a look in devs or l for the file and load it up in cygnused or notepad if we must and search for gvp etc,,, maybe your board needs to have the # removed from the start of the line to activate the written settings etc...
check out this page
http://www.gregdonner.org/gvp4060/solutions-help.html