Weird MoBo problem?

[cimex]

My desktop computer does not complete POST if I am starting it up and the
machine is at all warm! It has gotten so that I must put ice packs inside
the machine for several hours. Then, I can get past the CD's LED lighting
up, and actually hear the magical "beep" sound, see an image on the screen,
and watch the red LED of the Hard Drive blinking.

The problem came about suddenly, when my machine apparently got hung up
doing an automatic shutdown. I found it turned on, with the red LED off, and
the green LED blinking endlessly. Upon shutting down, I could not restart
for 2 days, until I lucked out with some cold weather (my theory).

Further, if I turn off my computer, and also turn off the main power switch,
upon turning the main switch back on, the green LED often turns on, though
the machine is of course not yet running. When I turn the main switch back
off, the green LED stays on for a couple of seconds. Other than that,
everything works fine, and I plan to not shut down anytime soon.

I have tried these:
Changed power supply
Changed CMOS battery
Tested: CPU, memory, and Hard Drive
Performed System Restore to before problem began
Ran sfc/scannow


Since open circuits are helped by a warm condition, could this be a short
circuit problem? I am thinking, just change the MoBo and stop being
analytical. But still...

 

[Linda B]

Is it just POST that won't complete when booting? That is to say, does the
OS run okay after booting --can you leave the machine on and have it run
fine when it's warm, just as long as you don't have to reboot?

If that's the case (and that's how I've read it), it seems to me that your
motherboard is probably not at fault -- it sounds like faulty CMOS. Some
mobo's have removeable CMOS -- if that's the case with yours, you should try
re-seating the chip (refer to your mobo's manual to find it). Other mobo's
CMOS is fused or integrated into the board, in which case you may be SOL.
Have you tried to flash the BIOS? That might be something good to try too,
before you go out any buy a new motherboard...

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

At a guess, I'd say the hard drive may be done. Have you tried booting with
a floppy or CD?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Sleepless in Seattle]

Reseat all cards. Eliminate faulty hardware by running with graphics card
only. Replace motherboard if all else fails.

 

[asfsd]

Lacking a bootable CD, I did try booting off the Windows OEM CD, with no
luck.

 

[asfsd]

Pardon my new name, I did something weird in OE...
Answering your question: I can reboot, using the RESET button or by doing a
restart (via the screen).
I firmly seated my CMOS; it did not seem loose though.
Good idea about the BIOS, I thought about trying that. Is it unusual to have
to interact with a human to get an update? Award/Phoenix makes the process
co convoluted, but perhaps it is for my own protection.

 

[asfsd]

Will try, and thank you.

Reseat all cards. Eliminate faulty hardware by running with graphics card
only. Replace motherboard if all else fails.

 

[asfsd]

I am cimex again. asfsd is dead.

Lacking a bootable CD, I did try booting off the Windows OEM CD, with no
luck.

 

[Steve N.]

My desktop computer does not complete POST if I am starting it up and the
machine is at all warm! It has gotten so that I must put ice packs inside
the machine for several hours. Then, I can get past the CD's LED lighting
up, and actually hear the magical "beep" sound, see an image on the screen,
and watch the red LED of the Hard Drive blinking.

The problem came about suddenly, when my machine apparently got hung up
doing an automatic shutdown. I found it turned on, with the red LED off, and
the green LED blinking endlessly. Upon shutting down, I could not restart
for 2 days, until I lucked out with some cold weather (my theory).

Further, if I turn off my computer, and also turn off the main power switch,
upon turning the main switch back on, the green LED often turns on, though
the machine is of course not yet running. When I turn the main switch back
off, the green LED stays on for a couple of seconds. Other than that,
everything works fine, and I plan to not shut down anytime soon.

I have tried these:
Changed power supply
Changed CMOS battery
Tested: CPU, memory, and Hard Drive
Performed System Restore to before problem began
Ran sfc/scannow


Since open circuits are helped by a warm condition, could this be a short
circuit problem? I am thinking, just change the MoBo and stop being
analytical. But still...

Sounds like over heating to me.

Run with the case open, make sure all cooling fans, including power
supply fan, are working. The fans and heatsinks may also be clogged with
dust.

Steve

 

[NobodyMan]

My desktop computer does not complete POST if I am starting it up and the
machine is at all warm! It has gotten so that I must put ice packs inside
the machine for several hours. Then, I can get past the CD's LED lighting
up, and actually hear the magical "beep" sound, see an image on the screen,
and watch the red LED of the Hard Drive blinking.

The problem came about suddenly, when my machine apparently got hung up
doing an automatic shutdown. I found it turned on, with the red LED off, and
the green LED blinking endlessly. Upon shutting down, I could not restart
for 2 days, until I lucked out with some cold weather (my theory).

Without knowing what the Red LED and green LED are indicating, it's
hard to diagnose anything! The front panel lights aren't
standardized.

Further, if I turn off my computer, and also turn off the main power switch,
upon turning the main switch back on, the green LED often turns on, though
the machine is of course not yet running. When I turn the main switch back
off, the green LED stays on for a couple of seconds. Other than that,
everything works fine, and I plan to not shut down anytime soon.

How do you "turn off your computer?" What is the "main power switch"
you are referring to - is it the front panel switch, the one on the
power supply, or one on a power strip? What is the green LED for that
you say comes on for a couple of seconds?