Strange problems...

[Abix]

I am stumped, so I was hoping one of yall could shed some light on this matter...

The problem is that WindowsXP works perfectly fine and will go straight into Windows every single time without error. However, when I reboot(to boot from a Debian CD), I dont get to see my computer POSTing, and I am unable to enter the BIOS(rather, I dont see myself in the BIOS). If I leave it alone for ~30 seconds, it will boot into WindowsXP just fine though.

So, the problem is as follows:
-no video on reboot, or cold start
-POST happens, but I cant see it
-Anything else that happens pre-Windows DOES happen, but I cant see it
-WindowsXP works perfectly fine

Just for shits and giggles, I cleared my CMOS, hit the power button several times, and let my computer sit there for ~5 minutes. Also, just for shits and giggles, I freshly installed Windows again. Sometimes I will get my POST and pre-windows video, but the vast majority of the time, I will not. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it as it will often NOT work right after I clear my CMOS, and then a few times it will.

Hell, about 5 minutes ago, I rebooted and booted off the Debian CD and it worked perfectly fine, but I had forgotten to back a file up on my old WinXP install, so I quit the install, rebooted, backed up my file, rebooted, and didnt get any video.

My specs:
ASUS P4T533
512MB 32bit PC1066 RDRAM
PNY GeForce4 Ti4400
1x160GB PATA HD

Thanks.

UPDATE:
Right after typing this up, I rebooted for shits and giggles, and it worked. And hasnt stopped working. Yet.

What.The.Fuck.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

For starters, make sure you have the latest BIOS. There is just something oddly familiar about this fix in v1006:

Fix system cannot boot successfully when plug Adaptec SCSI cards and GeForce4 graphice cards.

 

[Abix]

I have the latest BIOS. Any other ideas?

 

[Abix]

Bumpity.

It worked on and off for the past few days, and today it just up and decided to not come up again. Ive cleared the BIOS several times, as well as taken out the CMOS battery and hit the power button to release any stored electricity. No dice. Im thinking it might be my PNY GeForce4 Ti4400 but Im hoping its not, because I love it like I love my dead dog.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Have you got another video card you can test with?

 

[Abix]

I took my video card to work today, and discretly threw it in another computer. It came up. The first time. Perfectly. I borrowed a co-worker's video card and Ill try mine again tonight when I get home, but I have the strange feeling its not going to work.

Ive tested my RAM for hours upon hours using Memtest86(previously), and it comes up perfectly fine, I dont think its my motherboard(I hope not), and if its not my video card, then could it be my power supply?

I guess Ill try switching out my power supply as well. Good idea Abix.

Thanks mate.

No problem.