P4C800 Deluxe issues...harddrive wont power on on first try. HELP!

Narcosynthesis

Junior Member
Jun 15, 2003
6
0
0
Just built a new P4 computer

P4 2.8 mhz
512 DDR400 PC3200
Enermax 350w PSU
80GB Maxtor 8mb cache HD

This is my problem. When I turn the system on the harddrive wont boot. I have to turn it on, then off, then on, then off and then the harddrive will kick in.Its like its not getting power. The computer runs great when its on, but if I turn it off, I cant get it to boot with out repeating the above.

Is it my power supply?
Is it my CPU?

I ordered a new Enermax 465 psu and memory yesterday off newegg to see if that will fix it. Thanks for the help.
 

jackschmittusa

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2003
5,972
1
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It sounds as if it is the psu. The drive may not be spinning up before the system looks for boot files. A couple of quick boots get it up to speed. The psu you have should be of adequite size and quality to work with your rig as described. It may be defective. It is also possible that the hd is suffering from a problem called "sticktion" where the bearings stick and make it hard for the drive to spin up, although this sometimes is accompanied by drive noise.
 

phazed

Junior Member
Jun 14, 2003
10
0
0
You might want to set an initial IDE delay in the BIOS too... try 3-6 seconds. Also try swapping the power connector with another... and make sure it's not a split cable (like if you have a 4-pin fan).
 

Narcosynthesis

Junior Member
Jun 15, 2003
6
0
0
I tried swapping the power button with another. Same thing.

I still cant get this harddrive to boot untill after 6-7 attempts. Im really stumped. If my new PSU and memory doesnt do the trick, im RMAing this motherboard back to NewEgg.