Computer not Posting sometimes, can't figure it out

[Vicken]

I am having a problem with one of the computers I have here. When I cold boot it, it won't post. If I shut it down and reboot it the 2nd time, it posts fine. It only doesn't boot when the computer has been sitting for a long time, but boots fine when I shut it down and repower it up. Is this a power problem?

Here's the config:

PII 400
Abit BX6
128MB PC100 RAM
SB16 ISA
2 network cards
8MB Matrox G200 Millenimum
biggest heatsink/fan combo in the world
4.3GB IDE samsung HD.
150W power supply (being replaced by a 300W power supply with the fan cutout/grilled and panaflo.)
52X cdrom

 

[mindiris]

Sounds like it could be some contact problem (heat makes things expand).

Open up your case, ground yourself, and tighten/reseat all cables, PCI cards, etc. If the PS fan is working, you are getting power, but you might consider to swap in a known working PS if the above doesn't work.

 

[medic]

It could possibly be a power related problem but if not I would tend to start thinking the HD may be suffering from what's called stiction.
Options:
Backup
Look in the bios for options to delay the bootup, disable fast memory count ect.
Set power options to shutdown HD's to Never
Leave computer on 24/7 so HD can't cool down
Shop for another HD soon.

 

[J3anyus]

Two things that could be causing the problem. The first one is check your FSB/Multiplier settings. I have a friend who had a similar problem, and it turned out he accidentally had his FSB cranked way up from where it was supposed to be. The more likely source of the problem is your power supply. 150W can't power much, even for a PII system you should have 200W at bare minimum. Replacing your power supply might do the trick.

 

[Nimloth]

are you running Netgear NIC? 🙂

i had a lot of bootup problems with them, but then again you have intel and i have amd

 

[NotoriousJTC]

It could be static. TRy placing a piece of wood under the system and see if it helps.