Boot/Start-Up Issues

[bdyer02]

I recently assembled a new computer, first time I've done this in a few years. I'm having some isssues surrounding the start-up/boot. When I turn the computer on after it has been shut down, sometime, but not always, the system will hang at the ?Verifying DMI Pool Data? point.

I've also gotten beyond that point and still had issues. Twice, when I was having issues, I got a screen saying that Windows did not start correctly, and recommending that I do a system repair. The first time I did the system repair, and it came to an error it could not fix, and had me report it. It booted up fine after that.

The other time, the screen said the error was in windows\system32\drivers\wdf010000.sys and that the status was 0xc000022, and Windows failed to load because a critical system driver is missing or corrupt. Upon running the repair from the Vista installation DVD, the system repair said there was nothing wrong.

And one time, which was truly unusual, upon pushing the power button, the screen displayed a bunch of red and black lines, which flashed for a while before becoming a bunch of random colors and letters.

The very first time I powered the computer up after installing Windows Vista 64, the computer hung at the Verifying DMI Pool Data point, but I didn't think anything of it at the time.

I've tried a System Restore to an earlier point, System Repair through the Installation menu, flashing the BIOS using Gigabyte's @BIOS program, and clearing the CMOS by shorting the jumper. I haven't tried clearing the CMOS by removing the battery, but that is my next step.

Thus far, the booting/start-up problems only occur when I start the computer up after it has been shut down for a while; when I do a ?Restart? from Windows, I have not had any boot/start-up problems.

Again, this only really happens on a "cold boot," i.e. when I first start the computer up after it has been shut down for a while. If I restart when it hangs, or if just do a restart from Windows, it doesn't happen.

I am truly at a loss , and am hoping that you all might be able to help me diagnose my issues. Thank you all for your time and assistance. Below are my system specs. If any more information would be helpful, please let me know. Again, thank you all for your help.

Operating System: Windows Vista 64 SP1
CPU: Intel E8500, 3.16 ghz
MB: Gigabyte EP45-UD3R, BIOS version F6
RAM: 4 GB GSKILL (2x2), 5-5-5-15, (the BIOS has the voltage at 1.8, the box says 2.0-2.1, does that matter?)
GPU: EVGA GFX 260 55nm SSC
HD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s

 

[mpilchfamily]

What PSU are you using?

First thing you want to do is double check all connections. If things are not seated right all sots of things can go wrong like you've discribed. Next you will want to bump the RAM voltage up to the recomended 2.0V. Under volting the RAM like that can easily cause problems. Which can result in currupted information being stored to the HDD durring the instillation of the OS. Which would exsplain your problems.

 

[bdyer02]

I am using a Corsair 650TX for a PSU. I'll check all the connections and try bumping the RAM voltage up. I'll post here with what happens.

 

[bdyer02]

I checked all the connections and bumped the RAM voltage to 2.0. After that, on a cold boot, I got through the "Verifying DMI Pool Data" but the Windows black screen came up, this time with the "NTOSKRNL.EXE is missing or corrupt." I'm leaning toward this being a corrupt set of boot files or something along those lines, since there have been other issues with missing or corrupt boot files. I am going to try to do a Reformat/Reinstall of the OS on the hard drive.

I just hope this isn't some kind of physical damage issue to either the motherboard or the hard drive. I am not sure what the symptoms of those issues would be. I'm just hoping I do not have to go through the RMA process.

 

[bdyer02]

Nothing has worked. I called Gigabyte technical support, and the first time I talked to them they recommended trying to boot with one stick of ram. I did this, and it booted fine. I tested both sticks of ram individually. The system booted fine, but I think that was because it was being boot on and off in a relatively short period of time. However, on a "cold" boot, the system would still not get to Windows.

I tried using QFlash to flash the BIOS, and that didn't work. The system won't even warm boot anymore. It takes several restarts to even get to the BIOS menu.

I am very discouraged. I don't know of anything else to do. I can't even reliably get the computer to boot to Windows when I do anything. I called Gigabyte again, but this time they were blaming the PSU and/or the HD. I feel like I am getting the run-around from them.

This was the fourth system I have built, but I do not think I will ever do another. I just can't figure out how to figure out what is wrong.

 

[daniel49]

I'd be tempted to run a diagnostic on the HD.
I'm sure Western has a utility for that.
Been a while since I used a western, I always had bad luck with them.

 

[Ausm]

That mobo sounds like it's bad, I would get a replacement ASAP.