Motherboard, SSD or Windows fault?

[julianhj]

I have an i5-2500k (currently running stock), Asus P8P67 PRO, 12GB Corsair XMS3, Samsung 850 500GB SSD, currently running Windows 10 Pro.

Over the last few weeks (whilst running Windows 7 Ultimate) I had repeated boot issues with an error message:

REBOOT AND SELECT PROPER BOOT DEVICE OR INSERT BOOT

This started after a series of Windows updates, so I wondered if it was related to that. Trying to go in via the BIOS didn't seem to work, however putting the Windows installation discs in led it to boot the software without issue, although I didn't use them. I wasn't able to boot from USB, regardless of BIOS boot settings.

I was resigned to a fresh OS install however after dozens of failed boots, the day I went to do it, the computer booted without issue. I took the opportunity to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. This worked and I've had a couple of weeks without any problems until today, when the issue reoccurred.

This time, I was able to go in to the BIOS and boot straight in to Windows from the boot menu.

Does anyone have any idea what the fault is? BIOS settings haven't changed at any point. Is is a motherboard or SSD issue, or something else?

 

[EsaT]

BIOS/CMOS battery (CR2032) on motherboard could be dying.
That would be cheap to swap and one of the first things to try.

Also PSU could be on its way out.
While using quality capacitors that Enhance design has secondary capacitors pretty darn well protected from any cooling airflow.

 

[julianhj]

Thanks, I have come CR2032s knocking around, so I'll try that first.

 

[yashiro]

Try a different SATA port and cable.

 

[labcoattech]

Try booting into a Linux live environment and see if you still get an issue, disconnect the hard drive.

 

[yashiro]

Also. https://www.cnet.com/news/intels-sandy-bridge-chipset-flaw-the-fallout/ from back in the day.

Issue: Affects SATA ports 2 through 5, not ports 0 and 1.