Computer 'sometimes' does not boot properly

[azibux1]

Hi,

I built this PC recently (my first ever PC build) and it all works fine apart from this one issue.

- Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30 GHz Sandybridge
- Asus P8Z68-VLX
- Samsung Spin Point F3 1TB
- Gelid Tranquillo
- Corsair Vengeance Low Profile, Blue, 8GB
- OCZ Agility 3 120GB
- Samsung SH-B123L Blu Ray Drive
- Coolermaster Elite 430
- Antec TruePower New 550W Modular
- Akasa Bluetooth Card Reader
- GTX460 1GB

It works fine most of the time. But occasionally (it has happened two or three times) it starts booting, but does not finish.

It is quite hard to explain, because I am expecting it to work, so I am not paying much attention to how far it gets (eg POST, Windows logo etc). I don't 'think' it gets to the Windows logo though and windows definitely does NOT completely boot because when it does ASUS AI suite changes the fan speed (and this does not happen). I just get a black screen, then I press the power button (not hold, just press) and it switches off instantly. I then power it up again and it works fine.


Any ideas?

 

[azibux1]

Have you overclocked the system at all? How long do you generally leave it before you press the power button to turn it off?

Sorry forgot to mention that, it has NOT been overclocked at all. With this board I think there is an auto overclock where it can automatically overclock the CPU if you want it to, through the BIOS or through using ASUS AI Suite, but I have not 'intentionally' done either of these. How can I check if I have?

I usually leave it around a couple of minutes (it is normally booted fully within around 20 seconds).

 

[azibux1]

Dual boot cycling fix over at hardOCP here http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1609704&page=29 (halfway down).

I also read AI suite can cause dual bootcycling too.

Thanks, since AI suite is messing around with my fan speeds, I will just uninstall that and see if it sorts the problem out.

Can you or anyone, recommend any programs that I could use as alternatives to do everything AI Suite does?

So a program/programs for:
-Monitor Temperatures
-Control fan speeds
-Auto overclock (I may want to do this in the future)
-Update BIOS
-Etc

Sorry, I am new to all this, and thought that AI Suite was useful, but obviously not if it is causing problems

Thanks for your help

 

[azibux1]

Right, little update ...

I recently updated the firmware on my SSD and reinstalled Windows

I also read AI suite can cause dual bootcycling too.

I have not installed any programs other than Office 2010, and AI Suite was (and still isn't) installed ... but it still gets 'stuck' while booting occasionally, it has happened twice

I also have a bit more information for you though, when it happens:

- I see the ASUS splash screen at the start of the boot process
- It does POST because it gives one short beep (which as far as I know is normal)

Then it doesn't do anything, so I do not see anything to do with Windows, no windows logo or welcome screen

I tap the off button, it instantly shuts down. I reboot and it works fine


Any ideas?

 

[azibux1]

Have you tried a BIOS update? I had a similar problem until I updated my BIOS, after I updated it completely fixed my problem.
My board is the ASUS P8P67 PRO

Thanks, I guess that should be my next step then

Few questions:
Is updating the BIOS the same as flashing the BIOS?

How do I actually update it?

Will it affect my warranty?


Thanks for your help

 

[azibux1]

This happened once again today and I want to get the problem sorted so could anyone please answer my questions above

Hope you can help and thanks in advance,

 

[azibux1]

Flashing is the same

Have a look at the asus website below, this link is for the PRO version not sure if that is yours but under the desciption number 1 says "1. Improve system stability " for BIOS version 1101.

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8Z68V_PRO/#download

There is also a BIOS utility there that may help flash it.

No it won't affect your warranty.

OK thanks for that, I will check it out

Mine is not the pro version but I am sure there will be a similar part on the ASUS site for my mobo

Thanks again, I'll let you know how I get on

 

[azibux1]

If you can simply tap the power button to turn it off then this indicates that Windows hasn't started loading the kernel at all. Try disconnecting everything that is not essential to boot into Windows.

Sounds like a cold boot issue. Bios or PSU are generally the culprits. So step 1 is update the bios as said above by flashing to the latest version.

Thanks guys, I will try these things after Xmas

I really hope the BIOS just needs updating and it is NOT the PSU

 

[azibux1]

I know I've only just come back to this thread, I keep forgetting about it as it hardly happens

I have updated the BIOS and overclocked the system to 4GHz and very, very rarely it still cold boots

Is this something I should be worried about?

 

[azibux1]

Anybody able to help me on the above?

Is this normal for it to occasionally cold boot, I assume not, so as I have updated the BIOS what else could it be?

Hope you can help