Boot problem, quick question.

Andelusion · 14 Nov 2009 at 15:09

Hi guys, I have a problem with booting.

I press the power button, the system begins to start, fans spin up, HDDs start to spin, then after about a second the whole system will power down again for 3-4 seconds, THEN it will begin to boot up normally by itself.

This has happened ever since I built the PC around 3 years ago (as long as I can remember), and I've just thought nothing of it.

Then 6 months ago I began to experience the same thing only this time after the PC goes silent and powers back on again, I got 1 long beep and 3 short beeps (apparently a graphics card error?), then the PC either boots up normally or I have to shut it down and try again.

I posted a thread like this in July but I got no replies, I've put in a back up graphics card and I no longer get beeps, HOWEVER I'm still experiencing strange booting up - the system takes a long time to respond after I press the power button in, maybe 1-2 seconds.

I'm going to replace the graphics card but I just want to see if anyone has another explanation/suggestions I can try, the absolute last thing I want is to get a new graphics card and experience the same problem

So can anyone offer some suggestions? Ta

Shakeel · 14 Nov 2009 at 15:21

what motherboard is it

Andelusion · 14 Nov 2009 at 15:29

Sorry I should have given the spec really

C2D E6300
Asus P5B Deluxe
OCZ XTC PC6400 4gb
8800GT 512mb
Crucial 540watt psu

I should add that the problem still occurs with only the graphics card and 1 stick of ram installed.

Reza86 · 14 Nov 2009 at 15:36

If it comes on then shuts off and then starts again it sounds like its doing a full self test each boot.

Have you tried tried the GPU in the second PCI-E slot?

Andelusion · 14 Nov 2009 at 15:38

Full self test, interesting I've never heard of one of those before, I've reset all of the bios settings to default so strange if it would be set to do that from standard? I'll check anyway.

Yeah I tried the card in the second slot.

Reza86 · 14 Nov 2009 at 15:41

Yeah it happens normally if you have a poer cut or something and obviously loose power suddenly, mine does exactly what yours does in that circumstance. But i'm not sure about the GPU problems, not a power issue based on you PSU, and you've tried a different GPU. Best wait for more replies.

Andelusion · 14 Nov 2009 at 15:47

I looked in the bios but couldn't see anything that looked like a test setting. All of the settings were default except a very slight overclock (1.8ghz stock to 2.1, basically nothing, which I've now reset just to rule it out) and disabling the onboard sound.

After saving / exiting out of BIOS just now the monitor wouldn't display anything, just blinked standby, so I had to reboot, which is odd and makes me more worried that it might not just be the graphics at fault.

Keep the suggestions coming guys please

Plec · 14 Nov 2009 at 16:03

Have you tried flashing to the latest BIOS?

Also, have you ran any standard stress tests - memtest, prime 95, furmark etc to test it's stability in other areas?

Good luck

EDIT: You could try upping the vCore slightly and see if that improves your boot process.

Also, how is your 4 gig made up - 2 x 2Gb or 4 x 1Gb sticks? If its the latter try bumping up your MCH (NB voltage) a couple of increments.

Andelusion · 14 Nov 2009 at 16:05

I flashed to the latest BIOS but haven't run any of those utilities, I just presumed it was the graphics since the PC seems to behave OK with the backup one in.

I'll give memtest and prime a go, thanks.

Plec · 14 Nov 2009 at 16:09

No worries good luck with it.

Did you notice my edit?

Plec said:
EDIT: You could try upping the vCore slightly and see if that improves your boot process.

Also, how is your 4 gig made up - 2 x 2Gb or 4 x 1Gb sticks? If its the latter try bumping up your MCH (NB voltage) a couple of increments.

Andelusion · 14 Nov 2009 at 16:18

Plec said:
No worries good luck with it.

Did you notice my edit?

Cheers, just made a bootable memtest CD, I'm going out this evening so I'll let it run.

It's 4x1gb sticks. This problem was occuring when I was just using 2x1gb sticks, although I think I remember something like you're supposed to put 2.1v through this memory or something :S I'm so out of touch with hardware, anyway I'll look into it.

Andelusion · 15 Nov 2009 at 00:01

Well I left memtest running for nearly 6 hours, it did 7 passes, no errors, I also removed all the memory and tried booting, but still no luck, so I think that rules the memory out?

I will leave prime running tomorrow to rule out the CPU, I'm not expecting any errors but who knows.

I tried bumping up the RAM voltage to 2.0v and booting with the 8800 but it still doesn't work, I still get 1 long, 3 short beeps, however on one occasion I got 1 long 3 short beeps and then a pause, and another short beep, like the normal one you get when booting, but it still didn't boot up on screen, any idea what that could have meant?

Plec - What do you suggest upping the vcore and MCH (north bridge) to? I think they're just 'default' in the BIOS and I'm not sure where to go to.

karl01 · 15 Nov 2009 at 00:08

Andelusion i have just had a simular problem try unplugging all your fans so there is no power going to them and unplug your mouse and keyboard i no it sounds strange but it worked for me.

Andelusion · 15 Nov 2009 at 00:21

Hi Karl, I unplugged my fans and tried but still no luck. I actually forgot to unplug my mouse and keyboard but still don't think it will work as I have tried booting with only the cpu, memory and graphics installed so I don't think it would work anyway and besides I need my fans, mouse and keyboard so I'm not sure what I'd do if it worked

Thanks anyway.

Would increasing the amount of volts going to the PCIE slot be worth a try?

Andelusion · 15 Nov 2009 at 01:23

Right I'm all out of ideas unless someone can suggest anything else?

I've upped the vcore to 1.31, ram to 2.1 (max manufacturer recommends), north bridge to 1.55 and south bridge to 1.65, so everything should be getting enough juice but it still behaves exactly the same, now and again it's booted, given me the 1 long, 3 short beeps, and occasionally done the 1 single beep afterwards that you usually expect when booting up,im not sure what this means, maybe it's a clue?

It's just annoying how the problem has been tempremental up until now when it doesn't seem to want to work at all

Does anyone else have any other ideas? I'm contemplating taking it down to the PC shop tomorrow (they're open on Sundays) just to try it in one of their machines for peace of mind, if it boots up fine I'm going to fuuuuu!

Plec · 15 Nov 2009 at 03:04

As you've tried a skeleton setup, and pumping extra juice into all the appropriate areas you're unfortunately rapidly running out of options due to lack of components to test.

Your idea of popping it in to your local PC repair shop is probably a wise one. They could try and whittle down the problem for you by using their technical troubleshooting methods of throwing parts at it until it blinks.

Good luck with it let us know how you get on.