Strange BOOT problem...**RESOLVED...**

[Shagga]

This is doing my head in. :frown: Still got the problem. I've e-mail ASUS Tech Support to see if they can shed any light on the problem. There is nothing in their FAQ's

 

[DN]

Hi Shagga,

Well, I've been able to boot up without any problems for like 3+ weeks now.. I KNOW that the problem is NOT gone 'cause it seems to be an intermittent type issue.. What is SORT OF good is that we aren't the only one's with this issue.. Do you have your RAM timings set to Auto? Have you ever tried to lower them and see if the problem goes away..? What type of RAM do you have (be specific).. Ciao..

P.S. I still haven't looked at my jumpers, doh..

 

[Shagga]

I currently have 2 x 512MB (1GB) of Corsair XMS3200LLPT TwinX Dimms and have been running them on Auto. But the problem still exists. I also thought it might be a problem with the RAM so I checked out Corsair's Web Site which says the timings should be 2-3-2-6. They also recommend these Dimms for the ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe. So unless they are K-nack-ered, which they could be I don't think it's these.

The question is what do I change? Change the mobo for another P4C800-E (£150) only to find it has the same problem, or do I buy new RAM (£200) only to find the Mobo is shot!!!....Isn't life exciting with all these conundrums...

 

[Viper96720]

Tried another hard drive? My Uncle had a computer that started taking longer to boot up. Ending up he had to return the hard drive. Now it boots up normal.

 

[Shagga]

Originally posted by: Viper96720
Tried another hard drive? My Uncle had a computer that started taking longer to boot up. Ending up he had to return the hard drive. Now it boots up normal.

Yeah I have but to no avail. However, tonight when I got home from work the PC would not boot (as usual), so out of shear frustration I decided to change the IDE cable for a new one! Anyway the darn thing booted up but I'm still not convinced it was that as this was the second cable I replaced!!

We will see if it boots up 2morrow.

 

[Viper96720]

Can't leave it on stand by or something? Then it doesn't have to be booted up.

 

[Shagga]

Nah, I tend to switch it off when I'm finished with it. Anyway, that would just be avoiding the problem. I think I'm going to order some new RAM and see if that helps. Then failing that a new MOBO. Gutted at the moment.

 

[Shagga]

Well I am still getting the same problem. ASUS "Speech Reporter" was reporting "CPU failure due to overclocking" (which i never have done), and then it would report that it failed CPU check, so I put this CPU in my second system and had no boot issues at all. I then placed an old P4 3.0GHz (b) in my main system and hey presto, ASUS "Speech Repoter" was saying that the CPU failed CPU check.

One conclusion. Motherboard is shot. No wonder ASUS will not reply to my e-mails.

I've ordered a new one...i just hope it doesn't have the same issues...

So, this hascost me so far...

PSU £60
DVD Rom £30 (DN should buy this off me cos it was his fault I bought it...)
RAM £219
Mobo £144

Total £453

Mind you, I will have 2 Gig of RAM lol (which may or may not run in dual mode as they are different manufacturers) and someone is bound to give me circa. £120 for a 2 x 512MB PC3200 TwinX Low Latency Corsair wouldn't you think....

I did have a look at getting a new CPU to be sure and had a look at the P4 3.0Ghz Expensive Edition...but for £700 they can just plain get F@#ked}!!

 

[DN]

OMG.. I never said to go out and BUY another DVD rom drive lol.. All I said is that I heard there are sometimes boot issues with the DVD rom drive we have and that it might be a good idea to try another one (get one from a friend?).. Ha.. Anyways, let us know what happens with the issue.. Again, for me, it's been awhile since the problem has occured again and I haven't changed any hardware.. The ONLY thing I might have messed with is the CMOS settings -- what settings, I'm not sure of.. I guess I'm sort of ignorning the issue now since it hasn't re-occured, but once it does I'll get back on it..

 

[Shagga]

DN I was kidding. Well we'll soon see if it was the mobo as I should get the new one on Tuesday...maybe 2morrow if I'm lucky...

 

[Shagga]

I received confirmation that my new Mobo arrives today. God I hope it cures the problem. Computer take about 50mins to boot up now...lol I ring the wife on my way home from work and ask her to switch it on for me...lol

 

[Shagga]

Okay. Everything installed and working fine. I did notice however that the motherboard was version 2.0 and not version 1.0 (the version I had). I'm not sure what BIOS version it ships with I'll check next re-boot...

So, DN check the version of your mobo and let me know will you.

[edit]

BIOS version is v1011. Now do I update it?

 

[Shagga]

Bump for DN....just wanted to know if you had time to check your system...