Re: Startup problems


"Mike T." <hello@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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"Bill Wittmer" <wr.wittmer1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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I put together a system using an Asus P4P800 VM motherboard, and Intel 3.0
CPU, an Antec 40 watt PSU, a Western Digital Cavier 200 GB SATA hard drive
and 1024 Mb's of Crucial DDR PC 3200 memory. Windows XP Home was installed
on the system. The computer was working fine for about 4 months and then
it began to take about 5 minutes for the computer to boot. I thought is
was a software issue and did everything from doing a System Restore, doing
a repair install to doing a total wipe of the hard drive and doing a fresh
install. Booting would take 5 minutes or more still. I put in another
hard drive, used a new SATA cable, and checked the memory with no luck. I
found that when using diagnostic software, using a floppy disk and booting
into DOS, it would still take several minutes before I would get the
prompt command or the diagnostic program would begin to run. So whether I
boot into Windows, DOS or use a Linux based diagnostic program, it can
take 5 minutes or more for the program to start. I am looking at a
hardware issue and have no idea as to what else could be causing my
problem. If anyone has any ideas, I would greatly appreciate any help.


OK, your computer must run POST before it boots. This program is run by
the CPU, with support from the mainboard, and is stored in BIOS. Although
I haven't seen this before, it is theoretically possible that funky CMOS
settings (variable settings of BIOS) could affect the POST procedure.
First thing I would try is to remove the CMOS battery (probably a CR2032
button battery) from the mainboard. Leave it out for about 15 minutes.
While the battery is out, find the "clear CMOS" jumper on the mainboard
and set it into the position to CLEAR CMOS settings. Again, leave this
jumper set to clear for about 15 minutes. Of course the computer should
be powered off and unplugged while you are doing this. :)

Then after about 15 minutes, reinstall the battery and set the clear CMOS
jumper to the normal/run position.

I'd be surprised if that doesn't fix the problem.

If the symptom changes, but it's still taking longer than normal to boot .
. .

You might as a last resort try updating the BIOS of the mainboard. You
can find instructions for doing that at the Asus web site. Follow them
carefully, or your mainboard is history. -Dave
Check BIOS settings, this result occurs if CPU cache is disabled. The
reset described above may well clear your problem. If your BIOS has
'Optimum' or 'Performance' setting, that is also worth trying.
Mike.


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