Computer problems from HELL .. need advanced user help

[thelastjuju]

Okay, well first and foremost: I only run into problems that it seems nobody else on earth has ever encountered, so I'm going to need help from some pretty advanced users here. I've extensively googled for others in similar situations, and all of them were able to resolve it through extremely simple solutions like resetting CMOS, unplugging the keyboard, or re-seating RAM.. of course not me though...

I believe my problems stem from the fact that I hibernate my computer every night so that it starts right up with everything pre-loaded.. so I think this may be complicating things by having to hibernate back in... but here's how it went down..

• ~4-5 year old computer used as HTPC, never had a single problem since it was built.. e8400, 4gb ram, ATI 6870, windows xp..

• TODAY, the computer won't start up, at all.. turns on for one second then turns off. Have to flick PSU on and off for it to even try again.
• Swap out another PSU (my first guess), yet of course I have the same exact problem
• Reset the CMOS by removing the battery - Computer now starts right up, but no video at all.
• Swap out another VIDEO CARD, and now the thing posts but says "CPU Overclocking error" but I hit F1 to proceed and then it freezes when 99% complete hibernating back into Windows.
• Turn it on again, and while everything still turns on, it again refuses to post. :'(

.. and if it helps, over the past month or so the computer has maybe 4 or 5 times randomly shut down with an extremely loud fan noise going full blast.

This is absolutely outrageous, NOTHING makes sense here.... ANY ideas? Could it be the motherboard? I don't even know what to do next... I know I'll probably have to build an entire new computer since this seems like an unsolvable problem / curse, but just want to see if anyone here can help me save a good $400-500, ANY help is appreciated!

 

[nickbits]

motherboard is my guess since you already tried changing the psu

 

[2timer]

After 4-5 years, sometimes you need a motherboard refresh. Sounds like a bad board.

 

[thelastjuju]

Thanks for the replies thus far.. weird thing is, the power supply is from my very first build, TEN years ago. Can't believe the motherboard is dying before it.

Now what really sucks is I have to not only get a new motherboard, but a new CPU and RAM as well since I can't find any 775 boards for a perfectly good e8400.. still handled every game I threw at it :\

EDIT: anyone on how the hibernation might be a factor here? This computer is technically still trying to hibernate IN.

 

[Ketchup]

If you clear the CMOS again, can you get it to post? If you are running 7, it should give you the option to discard the hibernation file after the first unsuccessful attempt. If you can get into the BIOS, monitor your temps for a few minutes and see what they look like.

If you can no longer get into the BIOS, it is either the motherboard or something attached to it, since post checks a few things (depending on how you have it set). Don't forget to rule out a bad stick of RAM.

 

[Automaticman]

Thanks for the replies thus far.. weird thing is, the power supply is from my very first build, TEN years ago. Can't believe the motherboard is dying before it.

Now what really sucks is I have to not only get a new motherboard, but a new CPU and RAM as well since I can't find any 775 boards for a perfectly good e8400.. still handled every game I threw at it :\

EDIT: anyone on how the hibernation might be a factor here? This computer is technically still trying to hibernate IN.

Try booting from the Windows install CD and doing a system restore. If you can boot ok with the CD, there is a good chance your hardware is ok.

I let my HTPC sleep every night too, but I disabled hibernation and just use C3 sleep state (PC powered off, keep-alive power to ram). Sleeps faster this way too since I don't have to write the contents of the RAM to the HDD every time it sleeps.

 

[thelastjuju]

If you clear the CMOS again, can you get it to post? If you are running 7, it should give you the option to discard the hibernation file after the first unsuccessful attempt. If you can get into the BIOS, monitor your temps for a few minutes and see what they look like.

If you can no longer get into the BIOS, it is either the motherboard or something attached to it, since post checks a few things (depending on how you have it set). Don't forget to rule out a bad stick of RAM.

This computer is pretty old, and was on Windows XP. But I know there is something similar for that too, I just have to press F8. That's definitely what I'll try next though, thanks for the suggestions.

Already tried the RAM, unless of course both sticks are somehow bad. Never know with my luck :whiste:

Try booting from the Windows install CD and doing a system restore. If you can boot ok with the CD, there is a good chance your hardware is ok.

I let my HTPC sleep every night too, but I disabled hibernation and just use C3 sleep state (PC powered off, keep-alive power to ram). Sleeps faster this way too since I don't have to write the contents of the RAM to the HDD every time it sleeps.

Don't know if I can do this on XP.. but either way, I will try it with the install CD too. thanks!

 

[Automaticman]

How about safe mode? That used to be the go-to option, and should bypass the hibernation file.

If it won't past POST, then I agree with clearing the CMOS again first.

 

[thelastjuju]

Cleared the CMOS again, and it booted up and posted as well. It actually shut itself down after the first three seconds, restarted itself, and then I got into BIOS, monitored temps.. they were fine. Got right into Windows fine too. Let it run for a while, everything worked perfectly.

Then when I shut it down, it wouldn't start up again... fans and everything would run, but no post. Cleared the CMOS yet AGAIN, and it came back up and into Windows!

Shut it down again, and for the past three times it has actually come right on after turning it off, without having to clear the CMOS.

I'm glad its up and running, but any ideas as to what the hell is going on here? :twisted_O

 

[Automaticman]

Maybe test the voltage on your CMOS battery with a meter to make sure it's not dying? Doesn't seem quite old enough for that, though. BIOS is all at default settings?

 

[Ketchup]

Maybe test the voltage on your CMOS battery with a meter to make sure it's not dying? Doesn't seem quite old enough for that, though. BIOS is all at default settings?

I am thinking CMOS too, if not the battery the chip itself. It was quite odd that after resetting it, it gave you an overclock error. Is the chip on your motherboard replaceable?

 

[thelastjuju]

Well I'm hoping its something that simple. I don't have any voltage meter to check though.

I do however have two older motherboards (one dead one, one from the amd 64 days), could I possibly re-use those CMOS batteries if it came to that?

I feel like everything about this is quite odd.

BIOS is all default everything.. and I don't know anything about replacing the CMOS chip itself.

 

[Automaticman]

Just read the number on the CMOS battery and go look for that number at a store that has coin cell batteries. The local grocery store probably has one. You don't want to test with another battery that may be dead as well.

 

[Ketchup]

Well I'm hoping its something that simple. I don't have any voltage meter to check though.

I do however have two older motherboards (one dead one, one from the amd 64 days), could I possibly re-use those CMOS batteries if it came to that?

I feel like everything about this is quite odd.

BIOS is all default everything.. and I don't know anything about replacing the CMOS chip itself.

What model board is it? If the date/time is correct when you boot the computer, the battery is fine. If not, replace the battery.

 

[Torn Mind]

Caps on the board could be dying.

 

[Smoblikat]

Thanks for the replies thus far.. weird thing is, the power supply is from my very first build, TEN years ago. Can't believe the motherboard is dying before it.

Now what really sucks is I have to not only get a new motherboard, but a new CPU and RAM as well since I can't find any 775 boards for a perfectly good e8400.. still handled every game I threw at it :\

EDIT: anyone on how the hibernation might be a factor here? This computer is technically still trying to hibernate IN.

Try booting into safe mode, hit the F8 button as fast as you can before windows is about to start.

 

[mfenn]

EDIT: anyone on how the hibernation might be a factor here? This computer is technically still trying to hibernate IN.

Hibernation might be a factor with Windows not fully loading, but it doesn't have anything to do with the PC not POSTing.

Since it seems to work after clearing the CMOS and it is an older system, my bet is that the CMOS battery is weak. It should be a standard CR3032 or similar coin cell (available pretty much anywhere).

 

[thelastjuju]

Try booting into safe mode, hit the F8 button as fast as you can before windows is about to start.

Already got into Windows, but thanks to all for the help. Always good to know you're not on your own when it comes to this stuff!

I re-set the CMOS by taking the battery out for 10 min and it posted. But then I'd have to re-set it again to get it to post after I powered down.. the third time re-setting it was the charm for me, as everything seems to be back to normal now, after 6 times of powering on and off without any issues.

What model board is it? If the date/time is correct when you boot the computer, the battery is fine. If not, replace the battery.

DFI Lanparty DK P35-T2RS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136043

The date and time are indeed correct. :thumbsup:

 

[biostud]

Maybe something is wrong with the cpu fan?

 

[jaqie]

re-seat the cpu. ASAP.

 

[Ketchup]

Hope things continue to go well. I remember my last DFI Lanparty. It was a great board.

 

[mnewsham]

Check fans are all running, look at the caps and see if any are bulging or possibly leaking. replace CMOS battery.