Motherboard only boots once between battery removals?

stockhausen · 25 Jun 2018 at 11:38

I have been donated a non-functional HTPC box based on an ancient abit Fatal1ty F-190HD and 4 x 1GB RAM planes. It started to give trouble to the original owner some while ago.

I dismantled the machine and have now got the motherboard (with RAM) connected to just a PSU, Keyboard, Mouse and Screen.

If I remove and replace the CR2032 Lithium 3 Volt battery I can boot the motherboard into the BIOS Setup screen. When I then press [F10] to save the changes (whether I have made any or not) the motherboard does not boot up again until I have removed and replaced the CR3032 battery. I have tried replacing the CR3032 but that has made no difference.

Any suggestions as to why the motherboard ONLY boots up once after I have removed and replaced the CR3032 and what I can try next?

Armageus · 25 Jun 2018 at 11:44

Clear CMOS jumper in the correct position?

stockhausen · 25 Jun 2018 at 12:39

Armageus said:
Clear CMOS jumper in the correct position?

I believe so. I haven't moved it and I doubt that the previous owner would even have known what CMOS was; she would certainly never have dreamed of wearing a Jumper, Oh dear me, no

I'll check it.

bremen1874 · 25 Jun 2018 at 12:51

Do you have a speaker connected for the beep codes?

stockhausen · 25 Jun 2018 at 13:16

bremen1874 said:
Do you have a speaker connected for the beep codes?

No, good point. Thanks I will try that too.

stockhausen · 25 Jun 2018 at 19:34

The CMOS jumper WAS in the correct position although using it does save me removing and replacing the battery.

I have connected up the speaker but it doesn't give any fault beeps.

The problem remains. each time I POWER DOWN i have to clear the CMOS in order to restart the motherboard.

I have now installed the original HDD and once I have cleared the CMOS, XP boots - just once - until I clear CMOS again.

ubersonic · 26 Jun 2018 at 13:13

Tried flashing the BIOS? (even if it's up to date, sounds like it could be corrupt).

Quartz · 26 Jun 2018 at 13:28

Have you tried a new CMOS battery?

stockhausen · 26 Jun 2018 at 18:14

ubersonic said:
Tried flashing the BIOS? (even if it's up to date, sounds like it could be corrupt).

I would definitely give this a go but abit have left the theatre and I can't locate a source for the BIOS code.

Quartz said:
Have you tried a new CMOS battery?

Yup, tried that; no change.

Quartz · 26 Jun 2018 at 20:24

Try removing the CMOS jumper entirely.

ubersonic · 26 Jun 2018 at 22:53

stockhausen said:
I would definitely give this a go but abit have left the theatre and I can't locate a source for the BIOS code.

Here's a working copy of BIOS version 1.9 (the latest): http://soggi.org/files/motherboards/bios/abit/Fatal1tyFI90HD_19.zip

stockhausen · 27 Jun 2018 at 08:59

Quartz said:
Try removing the CMOS jumper entirely.

Tried that last night, it didn't boot with the CMOS jumper removed.

There are pins 1, 2 & 3. The "normal" position for the jumper is on pins 1 & 2; shorting 2 & 3 clears the CMOS. I don't understand the point of shorting 1 & 2 - connect up the battery perhaps?

ubersonic said:
Here's a working copy of BIOS version 1.9 (the latest): http://soggi.org/files/motherboards/bios/abit/Fatal1tyFI90HD_19.zip

Thanks, I'll give that a go.

Quartz · 27 Jun 2018 at 11:24

stockhausen said:
I don't understand the point of shorting 1 & 2 - connect up the battery perhaps?

It can be a 'rest' position. You need somewhere to store the jumper so it can be used.

Have you looked at the underside of the motherboard? Is it clean?

stockhausen · 27 Jun 2018 at 13:19

Quartz said:
It can be a 'rest' position. You need somewhere to store the jumper so it can be used.

I can understand this except that if it is not in the "rest" position, the system just doesn't boot at all?

Have you looked at the underside of the motherboard? Is it clean?

The underside of the motherboard is clean now! It was absolutely filthy when I got the system. The case had never been cleaned out and it was on the floor in a house with cats.

What I don't really understand is why the system consistently boots up after I clear CMOS into either the BIOS setup or Windows XP as I choose. I will certainly try to "update" the BIOS firmware this evening.

EsaT · 27 Jun 2018 at 21:12

stockhausen said:
There are pins 1, 2 & 3. The "normal" position for the jumper is on pins 1 & 2; shorting 2 & 3 clears the CMOS. I don't understand the point of shorting 1 & 2 - connect up the battery perhaps?

Jumper removal disconnecting battery from circuitry certainly makes sense for mode meant for erasing volatile memory content.
While shorting pins 2 and 3 might well work to discharge some capacitors (though bleeder resistor) to accelerate process compared to just disconnecting battery.

Trying reflashing BIOS is certainly thing to try if it has gotten for some reason corrupted.

Though that's apparently really old motherbaord/PC, so something might have worn out.
Anyway what components you have in that PC?
Have you tried with known working PSU?

stockhausen · 28 Jun 2018 at 08:50

ubersonic said:
Here's a working copy of BIOS version 1.9 (the latest):
http://soggi.org/files/motherboards/bios/abit/Fatal1tyFI90HD_19.zip

Hi, can you help with advice on how I apply this .BIN file?
I suspect that I may have to create a DOS boot disk but there is no .BAT or even a README.TXT file.
Incidentally, who or what is "Soggi"?

Motherboard only boots once between battery removals?

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