Startup issue

[Lyle44]

Hi people

Yet again got problems with the computer, last week I noticed windows began losing time, so naturally thought it was the bios battery which I've replaced, which appears to have cured that problem, but have a separate or related issue which is that the computer will simply not boot 1st time

Usually i have to push/hold the reset button 5-6 times to get the board to do anything, it will then come up with "checksum error - defaults loaded", i can then hit f8 to get to boot from the hdd i need.

Could I have some suggestions as to what the potential problems may be?
Both hdd's boot fine into windows. But same problem is there with only 1 hdd connected.

Cheers, lyle

 

[adamscybot]

When you say doesnt boot do you mean no power at all? What exactly happens? Turns on then off? Explain that bit more.

Checksum error indicates a corrupt bios have you tried reflashing it with the latest?

 

[Lyle44]

Sorry was in a bit of a rush before,

Power is going to the whole system, mobo lights on, fans spin up, can hear what i presume is the hdd making a spining or seeking sound tho not sure and everything stays on, but it doesn't reach bios screen & no hdd activity light other than pressing the power button to start with, monitor light is amber all the time. Then i have to got through the process of pressing the reset button repeatedly.

Haven't tried reflashing yet tho that is my next option. Entering settings in current bios just results in it sitting at black screen.

 

[djcj]

I've just developed a pretty similar problem. Switch on, all lights come on, all fans spin, HDD noise spinning up but blank black screen, wont even load bios. Tried resetting CMOS, tried unplugging all unessecary components, reseating ram and gfx card, simply cannot get to post or bios at all. I'm pulling my hair out

 

[Lyle44]

I know it's rude to bump, but now I can't get it to access the bios at all, so i'd assume I need a new mobo. am2+/am3 recommendations please.

 

[Plec]

Have you tried running with just one stick of memory, gfx, cpu and nothing else (skeleton setup)?

If you haven't try the above - disconnecting all non-essential hardware i.e. hdd's,dvd, usb devices etc - and see of you can get into the BIOS (try different memory slots if required).

If that doesn't work try removing all the memory and seeing if you get any beep codes (MB/case speaker permitting).

 

[Lyle44]

to update

Have you tried running with just one stick of memory, gfx, cpu and nothing else (skeleton setup)?

If you haven't try the above - disconnecting all non-essential hardware i.e. hdd's,dvd, usb devices etc - and see of you can get into the BIOS (try different memory slots if required).

If that doesn't work try removing all the memory and seeing if you get any beep codes (MB/case speaker permitting).

Thanks for the advice Plec. Had a bit of time last night to try this and I think I've found the issue to be the ram.

I've currently got 2*512Mb & 2*1Gb sets, the 512mb sticks will work singly or paired in any slot(s) but the 1gb sticks will only work in B2 & B1 slots on the board not in A2 & A1.

I can boot with 2Gb mem in slots: 1Gb [either stick]/empty/512Mb/512Mb absolutely fine, though it will still lock up after saving certain settings.

When all mem slots are filled it's usually possible to get to the bios if I do a hard power off & restart but states: "Installed memory 3072Mb, Useable memory 1024Mb"

• Any ideas as to whether this points to the ram or the board being at fault? Haven't had time to run Memtest yet on the sticks to see if there's errors.

Still need to re-flash bios as I have now an option for DDR2 multiplier and other weird text options.

 

[Plec]

Quick, garbled reply i'm afraid but it will give you something to work on...

Could you list your full system spec (I’m guessing most of it is in your sig.) – including the spec and brand of the two types of memory you’re mixing.

Could you clarify if you’ve had the system running stable with all 4 stick installed – or have your problems coincided with adding the additional 2 sticks?

Also, could you list your memory settings in the BIOS – voltages and timings?

[*]Any ideas as to whether this points to the ram or the board being at fault? Haven't had time to run Memtest yet on the sticks to see if there's errors.

It’s too early to say – answering the above questions will help to narrow it down. (It could be either – but, could also very well be neither; the PSU is always a contender.)

Things you can do/try in the interim:

• Flash the BIOS
• Up the NB (MC[H]) voltage by a couple of increments.
• List your memory voltages and timings
• Slacken your present memory timings and try to get just the two 1 gig sets stable.
• Memtest all the sticks separately - probably best done after the flash and when you’ve listed details of your memory and settings.
• Clarify whether the system has been stable at all with all 4 sticks installed – and when I say stable I mean zero issue (no random crashes/BSOD/crc errors/freezes etc)
• Ruling the PSU out as a contender is always a good idea and if you have a voltmeter here's a link to Huddy's site for a guide on testing a PSU with a voltmeter - link - scroll down to the PSU headings.

I can boot with 2Gb mem in slots: 1Gb [either stick]/empty/512Mb/512Mb absolutely fine, though it will still lock up after saving certain settings.

That’s not fine/stable – it still signifies there’s a problem with only 1 stick of the 1Gb installed with the 2 x 512Mb

Still need to re-flash bios as I have now an option for DDR2 multiplier and other weird text options.

Flashing the BIOS is looking like a priority as it could well improve the systems ability to run all 4 sticks. Plus, knocking up the NB voltage as mentioned already.

 

[Lyle44]

Could you list your full system spec (I’m guessing most of it is in your sig.) – including the spec and brand of the two types of memory you’re mixing.

Both memory types are OCZ DDR2 PC6400, 2*1gb is reaper hpc & 2*512 is platinum, timings are roughly 5-5-5-15-23

Could you clarify if you’ve had the system running stable with all 4 stick installed – or have your problems coincided with adding the additional 2 sticks?

No problems running all 4 sticks, been fine for over year/possibly 2 now.

Also, could you list your memory settings in the BIOS – voltages and timings?

Since i changed the battery everything has gone back to stock/default settings, only major thing (other than boot disk etc..)I changed last night was the ddr voltage back upto 2.1v. Timings are set to auto at the minute.

It’s too early to say – answering the above questions will help to narrow it down. (It could be either – but, could also very well be neither; the PSU is always a contender.)

Things you can do/try in the interim:

• Flash the BIOS
• Up the NB (MC[H]) voltage by a couple of increments.
• List your memory voltages and timings
• Slacken your present memory timings and try to get just the two 1 gig sets stable.
• Memtest all the sticks separately - probably best done after the flash and when you’ve listed details of your memory and settings.
• Clarify whether the system has been stable at all with all 4 sticks installed – and when I say stable I mean zero issue (no random crashes/BSOD/crc errors/freezes etc)
• Ruling the PSU out as a contender is always a good idea and if you have a voltmeter here's a link to Huddy's site for a guide on testing a PSU with a voltmeter - link - scroll down to the PSU headings.

That’s not fine/stable – it still signifies there’s a problem with only 1 stick of the 1Gb installed with the 2 x 512Mb


Flashing the BIOS is looking like a priority as it could well improve the systems ability to run all 4 sticks. Plus, knocking up the NB voltage as mentioned already.

I'll have a go at flashing when I get home to see if that helps & check the psu though I'm quite sure it's not that. I'll get back about the memtest stuff probably friday.

Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Plec]

As you've had the system running with all 4 sticks for a considerable length of time, without any issues, i would just concentrate on the 2 x 1Gb sticks for now (and the PSU test)

Flash the BIOS, manually set the voltage to 2.2v (this wont void your warranty as it's EVP - link) and timings, up the NB, and run memtest on each stick. Let it run a few passes - if they pass run the same test again with both sticks installed.

If they pass and you're still unable to get them to work in slots A2 & A1 then the evidence would be leaning towards a MB problem.

Good luck.