Strange boot loop

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2 Sep 2009
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I got a new PC from OCUK couple days ago with this mobo:

Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H AMD 880G (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard

Havent done much with it, no overclock, just installed windows, mobo & gpu drivers, set boot order and disabled floppy in bios. It has been booting fine for the last couple of days except for last night windows was convinced there was a floppy drive (I dont know if this is relevant) and this morning it just loops this message:

"retrieving recovery source from HPA... HPA BIOS NOT AVAILABLE", then it messes about for a moment and restarts.

Think taking the battery out and in might help? The whole kit is brand new.
 
well, if you left it off and then it's ok sounds like something to do with cooling?

Perhaps reset the CMOS, see if that helps.
 
I would first of all make sure that my CMOS battery is correctly seated. That error is often a result of a problem with the battery.

I am assuming this is the full error message you got.

Warning! MAIN BIOS CHECKSUM ERROR!

Retreiving recovery source from HPA.... HPA BIOS recovery not available!!
Retrieving recovery source from Back-up BIOS.... Done!

BIOS Auto-Recovering

I would suggest that you update your bios using q-flash. Do not use the in windows bios update tool please.
 
Thanks for suggestions, I will try both of those when I get home, and yes that is the exact message. Its definitely not cooling, have been monitoring that and I dont think I have taken the hardware above 50*C yet.

I have noticed a pattern since my original post. It happens every time I reset or turn the pc on unless I actually switch off the PSU at the back for a few seconds, then back on again.
 
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perhaps something to do with the PSU capacitors?

Easy way to test PSU(be careful though)

1. Remove from Pc.

2. In 20/24pin Motherboard connector, put a papaerclip into the hole with a green wire, and the other end into the hole with a black wire (any black wire)

3. Re-attach power

4. PSU should start.

5. Remove power. Psu should stop.
 
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