Something bad has happened. -SOLVED-

[SlitheryDee]

The situation:

I come home today and turn on my computer. Windows boots normally and I start up firefox. As the first page is loading the computer freezes, not responding to mouse or keyboard, but leaving the page displayed on my screen. So I hard reboot the machine and go into the bios. The bios menu displays but the computer immediately locks up, not responding to anything I do. I power off the computer and start it up again to find that it will not POST. Nothing, nada, black screen. My motherboard includes a diagnostic readout which now diplays FF every time I power up the computer. The manual identifies this as "Boot Attempt (INT 19h)".

My system is as follows:

Epox 9nda3+
Athlon 64 3200+ winchester @ 2448mhz
1024mb PDP PC3200 2-3-2-5 1T @ 223mhz
XFX Geforce 6600GT AGP @ 550/1100mhz
Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM
Audigy Gamer

Things you should know:

Yesterday I increased my overclock to 2502mhz and allowed it to run Prime95 overnight to test for stability, which it passed without error. This is the only change that I have made recently. It was also considerably hotter (close to 90 degrees I imagine versus about 65 last night) in my room when I arrived home today than when I did the testing last night.

My theory:

Since the computer locked up while I was in the bios, and from that point it wouldn't POST, I'm assuming it's some sort of problem with the bios. I've reset the cmos jumper to no avail, and currently I'm removing the battery while setting the cmos jumper in the clear position. When I finish typing I'll try to start it again.

If any of this rings a bell as to what the problem might be, I'd appreciate all input.

 

[d2arcturus]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee

What you can't create a body of text in your new threads anymore?

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: d2arcturus

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee

What you can't create a body of text in your new threads anymore?

Sorry, I accidentally hit enter before I got a chance to type anything, hence the blank post.

It's fixed now so BUMP.

 

[d2arcturus]

Seems like overheating to me... if possible try swapping components.

 

[BOLt]

I think you need to be listing your PSU and wattage.

EPox = POS from my experiences. May be different for others, but that's all that I've heard of/encountered with EPox boards.

You might try to update the BIOS, but that might be difficult when the computer won't even POST.

Try swapping out the PSU/motherboard if you can. Might try RMA'ing if it's still an option.

Tough to suggest more without the PSU spec, it sounds like the faulty component (or the motherboard).

 

[Insidious]

So did it start again?

-Sid

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: d2arcturus
Seems like overheating to me... if possible try swapping components.

Heat probably caused it, but I've never had a computer actually lock up while I was IN the bios. I'm afraid that the bios may be corrupted as a result of the lockup.

 

[SlitheryDee]

It started YAY

Apparently it was a problem with the bios, but not a serious one.

Thanks for the input guys. I couldn't have done it without you.

 

[Insidious]

Great News :thumbsup:

If it does this again (edit: I mean craps out and then, after sitting for a while will boot OK), you should suspect overheating (CPU and/or RAM) and reduce the OC and/or re-check your cooling solution.

-Sid