johnn wrote:
> I have a relatively new computer, with plenty of memory, HD space etc.
> However, this is probably immaterial.
>
> One day last week, when I started the computer, it just sat there with the
> BIOS splash screen showing.
> Pressing F2 (to access the BIOS) had no effect.
> After about 90 - 100 seconds, the computer booted.
>
> This is now happening every time. Once the computer has booted, it works
> great.
>
> My MB is Intel Corporation DG35EC AAE29266-205
> My BIOS is Intel Corp. ECG3510M.86A.0107.2008.0826.1637
>
> I have checked with the Intel site, and there is no newer version of the
> BIOS available.
>
> Is it possible that the BIOS looks for certain components it can not find,
> and then waits to time
> out and start the computer?
When you boot, your computer goes through the Power On Self Test (POST) and
yes, if it is expecting to find components that aren't there it will time
out. Check your boot order to see if you have a network boot first in the
boot priority (although usually you'll get a message). Or perhaps you have
a floppy drive as first that doesn't exist. Try putting the hard drive
first, optical drive second.
Did you add a USB device? Make any other hardware changes? Have a new USB
stick or printer plugged in while booting?
However, it should be noted that these things don't happen all by
themselves. If you really made no changes to the hardware or the boot
priority, you are having hardware issues. Since this is a new computer, I
would not wait to exercise the warranty. In any case, this behavior has
nothing to do with Windows since the problem arises before the operating
system is even booted. So if the computer mftr.'s bottom tier tech support
tells you to reinstall Windows, speak to someone who knows what s/he is
talking about.
Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ