98 Boxster will not shift into 5th gear

[dgentileksu]

I am having the same problem but with first gear. Have a 98 box with ~ 72k, 5 speed. It started not wanting to go into first about a month ago, but if you shifted into a different gear first it usually worked. It feels like it is not lining up or is hitting some kind of lockout like the one that keeps you from going straight to reverse from fifth gear.

Does this sound like a synchro problem? Is there any way it could be a cable or linkage that is loose? How would I check this?

Any suggestions?

Thanks!