-CLOSED- New computer rarely posts (20% of the time)

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thereaderrabbit

Senior member
Jan 3, 2001
444
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UPDATES italicized

So I just built a new PC- I try to upgrade every three years, but this one is giving me trouble.

When I first got the system together 5 days ago it posted no problems. After some work I got Windows Vista x64 and everything else running alright.

A day later it wouldn't post. After disconnecting a few fans and the CD ROM it posted. I turned it off and restarted after I reconnected everything and this time it posted.

So I tried the PC today and it wouldn't post. I disconnected the drives and it wouldn't post. I reconnected the drives and it posted...

The only clear pattern other than the fact that it doesn't post consistently is that windows
freezes up during the first boot after posting issues. ACD then leads to a good boot of the OS.

Once the system is up and running there are zero problems and windows device manager is happy. If I reboot it posts just fine.

The new MB doesn't make any sorts of beeps on startup (even when it's working) so I'm kind of lost on where to begin trouble shooting. Help?

The system is as follows...

Mother board
XFX nForce 680i LT SLI Motherboard (nForce 6 series)
> PhoenixBIOS D686 BIOS (6.00PG)
> I had previously updated it to version 62.92.12.00.04
> The BIOS was last updated using Winflash and patch ver: P06 from XFX's website (claimed to resolve quad core compatibility issues)
> I'm unable to locate any further updates to this BIOS

CPU
Intel Quad Core Kentsfield 2.4Ghz Q6600 CPU
CPU FAN ZALMAN|CNPS9500 AT RTL

Memory
4x Corsair TWINX 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz E.P.P.
> My memory is rated for 4-4-4-12, T2
> Default on the BIOS: Memory Voltage is auto; SLI-Ready Memory is CPIOC @ 0%; FBS (QDR) is auto at 1467MHz; MEM (QDR) is auto at 1200MHz
> stable at BIOS settings: Memory Voltage is 2.1V; SLI-Ready Memory is "Disabled"; FBS (QDR) is 1066.7MHz; MEM (QDR) is 800MHz
> now at BIOS settings: Memory Voltage is 2.1V; SLI-Ready Memory is "default"; FBS (QDR) is default; MEM (QDR) is default

Video
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB PCIe w/Dual Link DVI

Drives
WD Caviar 750GB Serial ATA HD 7200/16MB/SATA-3G
WD Raptor 70GB Serial ATA HD
Generic DVD RW drive

Power
PSU SEASONIC|SS-430GB 430W RT
> The 12 volt rail only supplies 17A
> This could be a problem (ref)
> I need to verify that my 12 volt rail is getting enough juice (ref)
> Everything checks out using a multimeter (3.1V for 3.3V, 12.14V for 12V, 4.88V for 5V, & 2.96V for Vbat)

USB devices
MS keyboard mouse combo

Update 12/13/07
The system is still not posting often, but now I'm seeing crashes in windows. On my most recent reboot I got this message from the MB (ie. before Windows starts):
"Warning! Now System is in Safe Mode. Please reset CPU or Memory Frequency in the CMOS setup." I've checked the 12 volt rail and I'm getting 12.24V even when the processor is maxed out.

Update 12/13/07
I've decreased my CPU Multiplier from 9 to a value of 6. It appears that my computer is now posting every time and a game that was appearing buggy the last few days (with crashes) is now running properly. If my computer stays stable I'm going to bump the CPU multiplier up to 7. Any suggestions on how I regain the system performance I thought I purchased?

Update 12/13/08
My computer is posting and running with a CPU multiplier at 7. So far no problems.

Update 12/13/07
I've moved the CPU multiplier back up to 9 and changed memory settings to disable SLI-Ready Mode, and am seeing real improvement in stability. (details above)

Update 1/1/08
So I've put the memory timings back to their default values while keeping the voltage pumped up. Things are working out great!
 
R

robisbell

Banned
Oct 27, 2007
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well, I think you may have a PSU that can not handle the load.

I'd ask that you manually cerify the PSU with and without a load, using a multimeter.
 
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thereaderrabbit

Senior member
Jan 3, 2001
444
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0
I wouldn't mind doing that, but two things come to mind...

1. Having fans and drives unhooked didn't get it to work today, so I was thinking this might not be a power issue.
2. Once I got the system up and running yesterday I ran a CPU/GPU intensive game or two and the computer didn't even flinch, but perhaps there is something on boot up I'm missing.

I'll have to try to run out and buy a multimeter today. Anywhere you know of where I can get directions on how to properly measure the wattage draw of my PC?


 
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JustaGeek

Platinum Member
Jan 27, 2007
2,827
0
71
You should manually set the VCore, Memory voltage, CPU frequency and Memory frequency thru "manual overclocking" (even if you run stock speeds - 1066/800), and Memory timings (with 2T Command Rate - VERY important).

Also, these chipsets - 650i and 680i - like the Northbridge voltage to be increased to over 1.5V if running 4 RAM modules.

And your PSU seems to be an issue, too, as robisbell mentioned. These chipsets like a lot of stable power.

Try to set the above manually, and NB voltage to >1.5V (provide adequate cooling though, like an extra fan), and let us know if it works.

Also, drop your memory frequency to 667MHz, it seems to help running 4 memory sticks.

Good luck!
 
J

JustaGeek

Platinum Member
Jan 27, 2007
2,827
0
71
BTW, get it running stable with 2 memory sticks first.

Running 4 RAM modules is a whole another issue...
 
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thereaderrabbit

Senior member
Jan 3, 2001
444
0
0
I'm pretty sure that the power supply is not the issue (details in the OP above). I've removed memory and still seen problems. I think it's a frequency setting issue? Please give a look over my previous post as it's been updated with more info. Thanks!

-Reader
 
J

JustaGeek

Platinum Member
Jan 27, 2007
2,827
0
71
Originally posted by: thereaderrabbit
UPDATES italicized

So I just built a new PC- I try to upgrade every three years, but this one is giving me trouble.

When I first got the system together 5 days ago it posted no problems. After some work I got Windows Vista x64 and everything else running alright.

A day later it wouldn't post. After disconnecting a few fans and the CD ROM it posted. I turned it off and restarted after I reconnected everything and this time it posted.

So I tried the PC today and it wouldn't post. I disconnected the drives and it wouldn't post. I reconnected the drives and it posted...

The only clear pattern other than the fact that it doesn't post consistently is that windows
freezes up during the first boot after posting issues. ACD then leads to a good boot of the OS.

Once the system is up and running there are zero problems and windows device manager is happy. If I reboot it posts just fine.

The new MB doesn't make any sorts of beeps on startup (even when it's working) so I'm kind of lost on where to begin trouble shooting. Help?

The system is as follows...

Mother board
XFX nForce 680i LT SLI Motherboard

CPU
Intel Quad Core Kentsfield 2.4Ghz Q6600 CPU
CPU FAN ZALMAN|CNPS9500 AT RTL

Memory
4x Corsair TWINX 1024MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz E.P.P.
> Timings on my memory are properly set at 4-4-4-12 SET IT MANUALLY TO 2T COMMAND RATE TOO
> Via the BIOS: Memory Voltage is auto MANUALLY SET TO 2.1V; SLI-Ready Memory is CPIOC @ 0%DISABLE SLI MEMORY; FSB (QDR) is auto at 1467MHz SET MANUALLY TO 1066; MEM (QDR) is auto at 1200MHz SET MANUALLY TO 800

Video
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB PCIe w/Dual Link DVI

Drives
WD Caviar 750GB Serial ATA HD 7200/16MB/SATA-3G
WD Raptor 70GB Serial ATA HD
Generic DVD RW drive

Power
PSU SEASONIC|SS-430GB 430W RT
> The 12 volt rail only supplies 17A
> This could be a problem (ref)
> I need to verify that my 12 volt rail is getting enough juice (ref)
> Everything checks out using a multimeter (3.1V for 3.3V, 12.14V for 12V, 4.88V for 5V, & 2.96V for Vbat)

USB devices
MS keyboard mouse combo

Update 12/13/07
The system is still not posting often, but now I'm seeing crashes in windows. On my most recent reboot I got this message from the MB (ie. before Windows starts):
"Warning! Now System is in Safe Mode. Please reset CPU or Memory Frequency in the CMOS setup." I've checked the 12 volt rail and I'm getting 12.24V even when the processor is maxed out.

Update 12/13/07
I've decreased my CPU Multiplier from 9 to a value of 6 CHANGE IT BACK TO 9 WITH FSB SET TO 1066. It appears that my computer is now posting every time and a game that was appearing buggy the last few days (with crashes) is now running properly. If my computer stays stable I'm going to bump the CPU multiplier up to 7. Any suggestions on how I regain the system performance I thought I purchased?
Click to expand...

Hope this helps.
 
B

btcomm1

Senior member
Sep 7, 2006
943
0
0
With posting issues, first thing I would do is run a test on the ram overnight.

If it passes, I would next assume it to be your motherboard.

I would also say that if you are overclocking the system that could cause this as well, I would try setting it to stock speeds for a while and see if you still have this booting up trouble, if not then you either had it clocked too high or you weren't giving the components enough voltage.



 
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thereaderrabbit

Senior member
Jan 3, 2001
444
0
0
Thanks for the help guys!

JustaGeek- I think the BIOS is as up to date as it's going to get (updated above). I'm going to try bringing up the FBS and backing off on some of the frequencies as you talked about above sometime over the weekend. At the moment I'm thrilled that the system is posting.

robisbell- I do appreciate your input on PSUs and have learned alot and picked up a multimeter in the process, but based on my stress testing using Prime95 on all four cores and monitoring the boot, I never saw the 12 volt rail drop below 12 volts.

btcomm1- at the moment I'm underclocking and have yet to ever attempt a planned overclock on the system. I'm currently leaning towards a motherboard/bus/memory combination being the issue.
 
J

JustaGeek

Platinum Member
Jan 27, 2007
2,827
0
71
Set the values manually to what I have highlighted above, and you will be amazed at what difference it makes...

These chipsets, and especially the DDR2 memory, love the manual settings. Had to do it all manually on both 775Dual-VSTA and P5N-E SLI.

Good luck!
 
T

thereaderrabbit

Senior member
Jan 3, 2001
444
0
0
Okay, time for an update.

The system still isn't 100% stable, which is a bit of a disappointment, but JustaGeek's setting advice had switched my post situation from only being good 20% of the time to being good 80% of the time. The system occasionally freezes up shortly after startup, but once it's up and running for 10 min it's rock solid. I'm speaking with XFX (who manufactured the motherboard) in the hopes of further improvement. Thanks again!

-Reader
 
J

JustaGeek

Platinum Member
Jan 27, 2007
2,827
0
71
Glad to hear that. Hope you get it up to at least 99% though.

I would try to increase the Northbridge voltage to 1.5V as a next step, but add a fan to the NB heatsink to improve cooling.

Good luck!
 
T

thereaderrabbit

Senior member
Jan 3, 2001
444
0
0
Thanks again for the help! It looks like JustaGeek's memory voltage increase suggestion turned out to be just what my system needed.

-Reader
 
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