Got a strange one guys

donrc · Joined: Feb 16, 2003 Posts: 882

Am having intermitant boot problems.

Hardware: AMD Phenom quad core processor, Asus M3A MB, 2GB 800 Memory. Floppy DVD and CD rom drives
When the problem occurs I get the XP booting screen with the completion bar moving across under the XP logo. It gets to the point where the Scroll Lock and Caps lock diodes on the keyboard flash and the completion bar stops and the computer is locked up.

It seems on reboot that ANY change in the bios settings will cure the problem temporarily. Later the same lockup occurs. Any ideas?

drc

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Donrc,
You're speaking about the time when windows is checking out the hardware and installing it's drivers.

As a first effort, I'd re-seat every connector in the computer and clean the edge connectors on any and all plug-in cards. Don't forget the mouse and keyboard. Wink

So far there has been NO cost incurred and no animals were injured in the process. Laughing

Next, I'd remove all power from your system, then remove the little CMOS battery. Check it for voltage, with a digital Volt Meter, if you have one and/or replace it with a new battery if you can't test the old one.

For a CR-2032 battery to provide proper voltage to your motherboard, it must show at least 3.0vdc when out of circuit.

Quite often, a CMOS bios will get confused and weird things will happen.
Leaving the battery out for about 20 to 30 minutes will give it plenty of time to completely drain and return to Zero.

When you install a new battery and re-power the system, the bios will reset itself. You will need to reset the data and time, and possibly the boot order. But everything else should reset itself from default values in permanent memory.

I've solved many computer problems with the above technique, including a little HP that appeared to be totally DEAD.

good luck,
The Doctor Cool

donrc · Joined: Feb 16, 2003 Posts: 882

Thanks Doc,
I'll give that a try. I've looked on the internet and see quite a few people having heat problems with this motherboard. Also several with boot problems. Heat doesn't seem to be the problem here. The processor runs at 54 degrees centigrade. ( Max is 70 degrees).

I'll let you know what happens.

drc

goretsky

Hello,

Perhaps a problem with the file system?

Are you able to start the computer in Safe Mode by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer starts up?

If so, try issuing a Chkdsk command (filename: CHKDSK.EXE) from the Command Prompt (filename: CMD.EXE) after the computer starts up by typing "CHKDSK C: /F /R" at the prompt, then shut down the computer and restart it to begin the Chkdsk. It may take a while to complete, especially if you have a large hard disk drive.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Melaus · Joined: Jul 09, 2008 Posts: 1

Can you check if you dont have any storage devices attached through your USB?

I used to have the same problem with USB HDDs, and yesterday, a user had the same one with her ipod attached on her laptop while booting.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Yup!!!

If I forget and leave my SD Flash card, from my camera, in the card reader, my PC will HANG, trying to boot from that card.
It just can't seem to figure out what to do with it. Rolling Eyes

That bug bites me at least once a week. Embarassed

And, I feel like such a "Klutz" when it happens. Rolling Eyes

But for this particular problem, I'll "Ditto" Mr. G's comments about running "Chkdsk /R /F" on that HD.

It sure can't hurt! I run Chkdsk as a part of my periodic HD maintenance.

I might even whip out my "Memtest86+" disk and run a test on my RAM.
Again, it sure can't hurt!

good luck,
The Doctor Cool

crdoc1 · Joined: Jul 09, 2008 Posts: 2

I have come across an issue with the most recent updates. I had to start in safe mode. And; restore to a time before I downloaded updates. Or remove the updates. My comp was starting up and shutting down.

donrc · Joined: Feb 16, 2003 Posts: 882

Thanks for the help guys. I tried all your suggestions. Doc the CR2032 was up to snuff. I had done a reset to last good settings before posting.
The CHKDSK came up clean. My USB drive was offline so I didn't think it would be that. Something helped. I didn't have time to stop and recheck after each one so I don't know which helped. Sorry about that. But, as usual, you guys got the job done. Thanks again.

drc