Help with strange PC booting problem

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STI

239 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#33199 2-May-2009 22:40

I’m having trouble starting my windows computer. Symptoms are random and mostly seen during the booting sequence.

In order to boot my computer for the first time on a day I usually have to restart it continuously for about 7 times with one of the problems described below. Eventually it will load windows and work except for the keyboard (see below). Strangely each successive reboot seem to help the next session, and even the keyboard works eventually. It seems the computer needs to “warm up” before booting successfully.

These are some of the problems that cause the computer to restart.

•    During the award bios screen a CMOS checksum error will be displayed and computer will restart.

•    CPU model comes up as known on the BIOS screen and locks up. -> manual restart.

•    During the award bios screen random characters/symbols will appear on screen, sometime even lines are across the screen (like in matrix, I’m not kidding) and locks up. -> manual restart.

•    Continuous short beeping after POST (according to the mb manual this is due to a power error) and locks up.

•    Keyboard won’t respond in windows, but can be used in bios settings page. -> manual restart.

•    Power on for very brief amount of time (less than a second) and shuts itself down. -> manual restart.

When the computer starts up windows eventually successive reboots also work fine.

My computer is about 4 years old and I haven’t done any overclocking or hardware mods. I have replaced the CMOS battery recently as I thought it could be causing these problems without any success.

Specs:
AMD 939 3500+ X2 CPU
Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-9 mb
Thermaltake 430W power supply
1GB RAM
Nvidia 6600GT graphics
Windows XP

Can anyone explain what's happening? I think it could be the power supply or the motherboard bios but not sure why it would work in windows eventually.

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#211822 3-May-2009 01:42

Sounds like its the BIOS itself. Either the BIOS chip itself is buggered, or the image on it is corrupt.
Try updating the BIOS with either the current version or a newer one and see if that resolves it.

STI

239 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#211862 3-May-2009 11:33

Now the computer won't even pass POST and there is nothing coming up on the screen. Unfortunately it won't respond to reset or hold for 4-second power off button. I can only power on/off from the button on the power supply. When power supply is turned on CPU fan starts and goes no further. I have tried to reset CMOS without any success.

What are my options now? Thanks.

Ilmarin

94 posts

Master Geek

#211885 3-May-2009 15:27

If you haven't already, disconnect any IDE or PCI/PCI-E devices that are not essential (pretty much everything except your graphics card). You might also want to take out all but one stick of RAM (the stick you leave in should be in the slot specified by your motherboard manual for a single stick configuration). Also disconnect everything from the rear of the case except for the power cord and VGA/DVI connector.

If it still won't POST in that minimal configuration, then your motherboard has probably had it. You could check over the motherboard to see if any capacitors are leaking or bulging, although that needn't be the case if the motherboard is done for. If it does POST successfully, then you could go through a process of elimination, connecting one thing at a time (starting with other PCI/PCI-E cards, then floppy, optical drive, etc.). If there is a tipping point, it may be related to a particular connector or PCI/PCI-E slot, and possibly a power draw issue.

It's probable that your motherboard is stuffed, but it doesn't hurt to try a few things before you give up on it.

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#211889 3-May-2009 17:01

I don't think its anything like the CPU or RAM, as you would have had problems in day to day operation within Windows. Bluescreens etc.
Seeing as the problem preceeding it is BIOS related, I'd say its definatly a motherboard issue and its toast.
You can try everything that Ilmarin suggested, as that can often find a problem, but given what you've told us, I doubt thats it.

STI

239 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#211912 3-May-2009 19:14

Thanks, I will try that out. If all fails I guess 4 years out of a motherboard is reasonable. Given that AMD 939 motherboards are now obsolete I will have to replace CPU, RAM etc.

Might as well replace all components, and now I finally have an excuse for buidling that hackint0sh I always wanted.

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#211991 4-May-2009 02:55

I'd recommend the Kalway release. It seems to work quite well :)

STI

239 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#212243 4-May-2009 21:11

Good to see fellow geekzoners with hackint0sh setups! Care to share your specs? I think I will hold out until release of snow leopard. Plus the hardware costs have seems to have increase recently. My guess is because of the low NZ dollar?

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Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#212291 4-May-2009 22:40

I've got:

Intel E8400 3.0Ghz CPU
Gigabyte P35C-DS3R Motherboard
4GB G.Skill DDR2-1066
ATI HD4870 1GB
A few Seagate 1TB drives

I can't remember the address, but theres like an OSx86 webpage with all the hardware thats supported, and any specific patches or changes that need to be made. Its a really good community contribution.

Usually works best with Core 2 Duo CPU's as thats what the current Apple range runs on.

I've found that some stuff is going up, other are going down. I've noticed that 4870's seem to be dropping in price a bit, that may be due to the release of the 4980 though. Other things, like CPU's, seem to be staying stable.

Pskonejott

24 posts

Geek

#215220 16-May-2009 12:28

STI: Thanks, I will try that out. If all fails I guess 4 years out of a motherboard is reasonable. Given that AMD 939 motherboards are now obsolete I will have to replace CPU, RAM etc.

Might as well replace all components, and now I finally have an excuse for buidling that hackint0sh I always wanted.

STI my first thoughts are a PSU fault, try a different one if you can.