Must Clear CMOS After Power Loss

[Buckaroo Banzai]

I've been having an annoying problem recently, I can't really remember when it started, but lately if I do a complete power off of my rig(including the PSU switch) I have to clear the CMOS before it'll POST, otherwise it just hangs before the BIOS screen loads. Once I do, I can change all my settings and it'll run just fine untill I do another hard power off. Specs are in my sig. Any ideas what might be causing this?

 

[Buckaroo Banzai]

No one?

 

[JustaGeek]

Try to re-seat, and perhaps replace the battery.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Try to re-seat, and perhaps replace the battery.

ditto.

-z

 

[Buckaroo Banzai]

OK, tried that and the problem still persists. What could be the next thing to check?

 

[TheBeagle]

Hello Mr. Buckaroo.

Obviously the PC isn't holding the proper CMOS settings which allows it to fully start after a cold start. The POST process is totally machine code driven, and pretty much has nothing to do with the installed operating system. Therefore it is highly likely that something is corrupting your BIOS settings just enough to prevent a full POST.

I would start by re-flashing your BIOS to the latest version (which appears to be No. 19 on the ABIT web site). Then I would check my boot loading sequence. Additionally, there's an old trick of removing all the cards in the various slots and rubbing the contact points on the PCI blade with a rubber eraser (wipe off ALL residue with a lint-free cloth with alcohol), and then reinsert the cards in the same slots. Do the same thing to the contact points in the on-board CMOS battery holder.

The fact that the PC starts the POST process and then locks, seems to indicate that its "looking" for something, which tends to suggest a bit of BIOS code that may have gone a bit askew. Let us know if that has any beneficial effect. Best regards. TheBeagle :beer: