Motherboard problem or....?

[Entropism]

I have a Soyo Dragon+ with the latest final BIOS, and for some reason, when I shut off my computer, it doesn't turn back on. When I hit the power button, the power & HDD lights go on, my optical drives light up, but the system doesn't post. When I first got the board, everything was fine, it just started happening one day, no software OR hardware changes, that I know of. Also, for some reason, my BIOS won't hold the "all USB ports enabled" setting, it keeps switching back to "all disabled". I'm positive everything still works, but it's just odd nonetheless.

Also, on a side note, my BIOS has no option for AGP 4x, just 1 or 2. It's not even shaded out, there's no option for it at all.

Now, to get my system started again, I have to clear the CMOS witht he jumper, remove the motherboard's battery, unplug the power cord, and leave it sitting there for about 45 minutes. I've never seen something like this before, so if someone can help me, I'd appreciate it.

Anyways, system setup details:

XP 1800+ (NOT O/Ced)
Soyo Dragon Plus
512Mb Mushkin 2-2-2 2100DDR (1 stick)
Antec 400w PSU
Maxtor 80gig and 30 gig 7200rpm HDDs
Abit TNT2 ultra
TDK 32x10x40
Pioneer 16x DVD


I'm about to replace the video with a Radeon 8500LE 128, the sound is being changed out to a Santa Cruz, and I'm swapping out the case to a Chieftec Matrix aluminum (the heat is too much for my current case). I'm just worried I might only get 2x AGP for my radeon, if the thing even starts at all.

 

[Entropism]

^ Bump ^

Nobody has any ideas?

 

[Entropism]

^bump^
ANYONE?

 

[Entropism]

OK, pleeeeeeease?

At least tell me something along the lines of "I've never seen this problem before, you've got a freaky computer and it must be burned in the name of satan" or something like that. I can't believe I'm pioneering this problem.

 

[CaptnKirk]

You have three options in this order, assuming your power supply is O.K. :

1) Try to re-seat each IDE cable at each end, each power connector at the drive unit, then re-seat your RAM, and try to boot. ( If failed - procede )

2) Replace your CPU, you might want to get the $ 52.99 XP1600+ from NewEgg. ( If failed - it gets expensive - procede )

3) Motherboard time. Look closely at the REFURBISHED equipment from NewEgg.
there are several choices that are available for between $ 49 to $ 69 from the ABIT and EPOX choices, but you will need to replace the RAM with DDR.

3a) RAM look for CRUCIAL which is $ 56 @ New egg.

Now you've just about replaced everything and you're about $ 160 into it. but the other stuff you have will work fine with what you have. Time to load the Op/Sys.
Too bad - Enjoy.

 

[Entropism]

Well, since everything I have is 3 months old or newer, I really don't think replacment sould be the plan. But it's not like nothing works. Hell, I'm on the computer right now. It's just turning it on that's a problem. Once it's on, it stay on. (2 months now, rebooting daily)

Also, I already have DDR. Mushkin 2-2-2 2100DDR, a 512Mb stick. I also have an XP1800, so why would I go even slower wih the 1600?

 

[CaptnKirk]

Your statements lead me to beleive your system was DEAD
If you have all those problems with the system, like having to clear the CMOS, AND remove the battery, AND unplug the power supply, AND leave it to sit for 45 for the capacitors to decay, then I would send the motherboard back, because it is NOT holding the BIOS settings. Did you even try to replace the CMOS battery with a new battery?

You are listing all these things that you want to change out - Video card, sound card, and move to a different case, that are totaly unrelated to your problem.

The failure to post on restart also indicates that you may be setting the BIOS out of limits for the equipment to run - like in OVERCLOCKING FAILURE, where the RAM cannot be communicated with because the settings are too agressive. The fact that when the BIOS was returned to a default setting and it runs, tells me you are making some incorrect assumptions in the BIOS. Now - if you're NOT playing in the BIOS, the Motherboard is bad.

I don't think the Mushkin is as good as either the Crucial or the Samsung, and if you had been reading the performance posts on the XP1600+, you would know that it is outperforming the XP1800+, as in functioning above the XP2000+ level, some up to what would best be described as XP2500+ equivalent.

Just trying to point you out of a dilema, which you obviously didn't care to hear.

 

[Entropism]

Look, I appreciate your help, ANY help, but you were suggesting stuff that weren't really viable.

Anyways, system setup details:

XP 1800+ (NOT O/Ced)
Soyo Dragon Plus
512Mb Mushkin 2-2-2 2100DDR (1 stick)

I'm NOT O/Cing, I have DDR, ect.

Now, to get my system started again, ect ect

As I said, system wasn't completely dead, just not restarting as easily as pushing the power button. The BIOS settings are reset to the levels I always have (Cas 2 ram, 133 bus, 4 bank interleave, ect. The normal stuff) when I finally get the computer up & running again. It's not freezing up or shutting off randomly, I'm just trying to figure out why it won't turn on normally, and if anyone had experience with this problem in the past.


As for the battery, yeah, I changed it. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[CaptnKirk]

4 bank interleave with only 1 stick of memory doesn' t look like a viable setting. Whenever I'm jackin' the BIOS and get excessively out of tolerance, I get a black screen on restart, but I have the option of holding down the INSERT key and manually turning off my system, which returns the BIOS to default, and I get to start the settings over.

What did you change the last time it started correctly to initiate what you are having go wrong now? If you are innocent of any changes that caused this to manifest itself, you are back to having a bad motherboard.

Anyone have trouble like this in the past? Yes - eveyone who sets their memory wrong.

 

[Entropism]

Well, I changed out my video card (8500le) and everything is fixed now. I can shut down & restart normally, 4x AGP is enabled, ect ect. I had to reinstall XP, but hey, a minor inconvenience. Thanks for the help though.