Cold booting an overclocked machine

Billzz

Billzz

Billzz

Associate
Joined
11 Dec 2003
Posts
297
Hi everyone,

I'm having a bit of a problem when my computer boots from cold - i.e. when it has just been plugged in at the wall. I have just upgraded my machine from a Q6600 @ 3.0ghz to an E8500 which I have just clocked to 3.8ghz. When I booted the machine from cold with the Q6600, it started, stopped, then booted with no problems - it only happened when it was overclocked. But when cold booting with the E8500, it starts, stops, then tries to start again but will not boot. If I then press the power switch it starts fine, all overclocked no problems, machine is completely stable. Its very strange. As stated, this only happens when the machine and psu has been completely 'unplugged'. If I shut the machine down but NOT unplug the PSU it boots first time no problems.

When cold booting an overclocked machine why does it have to start, stop then boot? Does the mobo or psu have to adjust to the manual BIOS voltage/FSB settings? Apologies if this is a noob question, i'm curious as to what is happening when booting up so I can try and solve this issue.

I hope the above is clear, its pretty simple what is happening but putting it into words can sound really clumsy! ;)

Thanks for any insights into this problem, I can find no information about why overclocked machines must shut down on first boot anywhere! This must affect everyone who overclocks surely?

Specs:

Asus Maximus Formula with latest (1207) BIOS
E8500 @ 3.8ghz (400x9.5)
4gb Geil DDR2 800
8800GT
Corsair HX620
 
It stops as soon as the machine is switched on. Doesn't get to post. Fans spin for half a sec, close, then before it restarted fine (overclocked) but with the new cpu it starts, stops and won't restart. But if I then press the power button it starts, posts and boots just fine. Quick boot is already enabled in the BIOS.

Been reading some other posts people are having with the same board, I'm going to try upping the northbridge voltage slightly, as i'm running that fairly low, see if that helps at all.

Bit confused as to what the problem is, i've had it prime95'ing for hours and running a crysis demo loop for a couple of hours with no issues.

I'm thinking it might be an idea to try flashing the BIOS again just in case a bad flash might be causing the problem.
 
I would certainly review the latest BIOS software if it's working ok freom warm boot and is stable otherwise.

EDIT - I've just seen you are on latest.. Check ASUS website for known issues.

Have you checked the PSU? Is it supplying correct voltages? Are both 4/24 pin ATX connectors attached?
 
Last edited:
Mine did that, it does it randomly. It's a little odd but I'm pretty sure it's to do with mobo/PSU safeguards. I'd leave it be, mines run happily for 3 years now so it's nothing to worry about. I would only be concerned if it did it later on during or after post, that would indicate a bad setting or ailing hardware.

If it happens only if you unplug the PSU it could be to do with surge protection or discharging the capacitors, who knows. Best advice - don't unplug the PC :P
 
Yep its working fine from 'warm' boot/restarts etc. Checking the voltages in Everest/BIOS everything seems normal and yep, both the power cables are connected ok. Gonna have a gander at Asus's site now ...
 
I have an Asus P5K and it does the same thing from a cold (i.e. mains off) boot - everything spins up for a second, then shuts down and then starts normally. It's fine from a warm boot however, and seems to be working ok.

More worrying however, very occasionally from a cold boot the cpu fan doesn't start up - queue panicked beeps from the machine until I do a warm reboot! :p
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. I think, rather than keep pulling the plug every time i switch off i'm just going to leave it plugged in, which should solve the 'problem'. Still can't quite make out why its doing it, but i'm planning to move up to a nehalem system Q1 next year so i'm not going to sweat it too much ... ;)
 
My motherboard starts twice from a cold boot (i.e. complete cut in power via switching psu off or mains off). This happened with both my previous e8400 and current q6600. OCed settings were always maintained.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom