BIOS setup utility locks up

[kleefarr]

I'm having a look at a Win XP Asus P5S800-VM computer for a friend which he
said stopped working. He said it has power but nothing else, check the
monitor was working by trying it on another PC.

I unplugged the HDD and the DVDRW. I entered BIOS setup and after about 30
seconds it locks up. On starting I get Wrong date/time errors and also an
error saying that the CPU overclock failed. I have tried this a couple of
times after clearing the CMOS backup each time, but I still get a lock up on
the BIOS setup screen, normally while trying to correct the BIOS time/date.

Would this indicate a screwed Motherboard?

 

[Tim Meddick]

Before chucking the PC away, try buying a replacement battery for the CMOS
(Open up the PC and you'll see a small button-style battery attached to the
motherboard - take it to an electronics shop and get a replacement - it only
costs a few pence (cents))


==



Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[kleefarr]

I'm having a look at a Win XP Asus P5S800-VM computer for a friend which he
said stopped working. He said it has power but nothing else, check the
monitor was working by trying it on another PC.

I unplugged the HDD and the DVDRW. I entered BIOS setup and after about 30
seconds it locks up. On starting I get Wrong date/time errors and also an
error saying that the CPU overclock failed. I have tried this a couple of
times after clearing the CMOS backup each time, but I still get a lock up on
the BIOS setup screen, normally while trying to correct the BIOS time/date.

Would this indicate a screwed Motherboard?

I forgot to add..

Had already checked the CMOs battery and connections. Voltage was 2.85v but
changed for a new one anyway. 3.08v.

I had a look at the online manual about overclocking, but there was no
indication of any specific jumper settings for enabling overclocking.

I have also checked the Intrusion/case open jumper and that seems fine.

I have run a voltage test..

Purple - 5.02v
Green - 0.16v
Grey - 0.97v (Low)
Orange - 3.28v
Red - 5.21v
Yellow - (When off 0.15v) Power on 11.15. (seems low)

 

[kleefarr]

You missed my update post..

"Had already checked the CMOs battery and connections. Voltage was 2.85v but
changed for a new one anyway. 3.08v."

Thanks

 

[Tim Meddick]

No, I just haven't replied since. If you have a look at the times, I posted
my last one minute before your 'updated' post. I am sorry, but I didn't
feel it was worth me saying any more after I read your update as I have
already given my best guess. You seem to have at least as good a knowledge
as I have on this, after reading your second post, you have listed
everything I might have done already.


==



Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[SC Tom]

I forgot to add..

Had already checked the CMOs battery and connections. Voltage was 2.85v
but
changed for a new one anyway. 3.08v.

I had a look at the online manual about overclocking, but there was no
indication of any specific jumper settings for enabling overclocking.

I have also checked the Intrusion/case open jumper and that seems fine.

I have run a voltage test..

Purple - 5.02v
Green - 0.16v
Grey - 0.97v (Low)
Orange - 3.28v
Red - 5.21v
Yellow - (When off 0.15v) Power on 11.15. (seems low)

Under Advanced, JumperFree Configuration in BIOS is the AI Overclock Tuner.
Make sure that is set to standard. According to the manual, there is no need
to clear the RTC RAM due to overclocking- it should reset itself after doing
a shutdown and reboot. Make sure your CPU fan is clean and running. You can
check your board temps and voltages in BIOS under Power, Hardware Monitor.

SC Tom

 

[kleefarr]

Ah. Sorry.

No, I just haven't replied since. If you have a look at the times, I posted
my last one minute before your 'updated' post. I am sorry, but I didn't
feel it was worth me saying any more after I read your update as I have
already given my best guess. You seem to have at least as good a knowledge
as I have on this, after reading your second post, you have listed
everything I might have done already.


==



Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[kleefarr]

Under Advanced, JumperFree Configuration in BIOS is the AI Overclock Tuner.
Make sure that is set to standard. According to the manual, there is no need
to clear the RTC RAM due to overclocking- it should reset itself after doing
a shutdown and reboot. Make sure your CPU fan is clean and running. You can
check your board temps and voltages in BIOS under Power, Hardware Monitor.

SC Tom

Have changed the PSU and voltage on the 12v rail seemed better, 11.97v.
The fan is working and is now reasonably clean.
I navigated to the 'monitor hardware' section in BIOS and watched for a few
minutes. Fan speed was on auto. CPU temprature climbed to 61.5 oC and the
motherboard temp stayed around the 27/28 oC mark. Then it locked up again.

Motherboard or CPU?

 

[SC Tom]

Have changed the PSU and voltage on the 12v rail seemed better, 11.97v.
The fan is working and is now reasonably clean.
I navigated to the 'monitor hardware' section in BIOS and watched for a
few
minutes. Fan speed was on auto. CPU temprature climbed to 61.5 oC and the
motherboard temp stayed around the 27/28 oC mark. Then it locked up again.

Motherboard or CPU?

Depending on the model of CPU, that may or may not be high. My AMD in my
desktop never gets that high, but my Intel in my notebook will sometimes get
that high on intense programs, but drop right back down.
I haven't seen any mention of you changing out the RAM. Have you tried any
different RAM in it to see if that changes anything? If you have two or more
sticks, you could try them one at a time and see if that solves it. May be a
bad stick in there.
Are you using a USB keyboard or PS2? I'd go with a PS2 until the problem is
solved- just one more bus to eliminate. Since you don't have a HDD in it at
the moment, unplug the mouse, too.
Ain't troubleshooting fun ?

SC Tom

 

[kleefarr]

Depending on the model of CPU, that may or may not be high. My AMD in my
desktop never gets that high, but my Intel in my notebook will sometimes get
that high on intense programs, but drop right back down.
I haven't seen any mention of you changing out the RAM. Have you tried any
different RAM in it to see if that changes anything? If you have two or more
sticks, you could try them one at a time and see if that solves it. May be a
bad stick in there.
Are you using a USB keyboard or PS2? I'd go with a PS2 until the problem is
solved- just one more bus to eliminate. Since you don't have a HDD in it at
the moment, unplug the mouse, too.
Ain't troubleshooting fun ?

SC Tom

Yeah, great fun 8).

I'll have a look and see if I have som RAM that'll fit. I am thinking CPU
though.
Mouse is not plugged in, only keyboard.
Will check out the specs from the website a bit later.
Watching Spanish Grand Prix now then it'll be time for Arsenal v Chelsea.

 

[Paul]

Yeah, great fun 8).

I'll have a look and see if I have som RAM that'll fit. I am thinking CPU
though.
Mouse is not plugged in, only keyboard.
Will check out the specs from the website a bit later.
Watching Spanish Grand Prix now then it'll be time for Arsenal v Chelsea.

P5S800-VM (Intel, LGA775)

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/13-131-521-02.jpg

If the CPU temp is 61C and climbing, while sitting in the BIOS, I would
check the CPU cooler. Make sure the fan is spinning at a decent rate.
Check the "push pins" to see if they're secure. Sometimes, a pin or two
will release, leaving the heatsink just hanging there. At the 5 minute
mark of this movie, you can see how the push pins are rotated, before
pulling up on them. Some pins don't handle repeated actuation that
well. If the pins are ruined, you can get an aftermarket cooler.

(Intel LGA775 movie)
http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/24/12/241209_241209.wmv

This is what I'm using on my LGA775 board. This item bolts to the
motherboard, and is a colossal pain to install. (You have to
pull the motherboard, to fit it.) But it also cannot come loose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103046

The plate in the upper right of this picture, goes underneath
the motherboard. A hex nut is placed in the four corners. The
nuts hold the heatsink to the processor. No wimpy plastic pin
to release and let go...

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/35-103-046-08.jpg

When changing the heatsink, fresh thermal paste should be applied.

(Cleaner kit - if you don't want to buy this, use isopropyl alcohol)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010

(Replacement thermal paste)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

HTH,
Paul

 

[kleefarr]

P5S800-VM (Intel, LGA775)

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/13-131-521-02.jpg

If the CPU temp is 61C and climbing, while sitting in the BIOS, I would
check the CPU cooler. Make sure the fan is spinning at a decent rate.
Check the "push pins" to see if they're secure. Sometimes, a pin or two
will release, leaving the heatsink just hanging there. At the 5 minute
mark of this movie, you can see how the push pins are rotated, before
pulling up on them. Some pins don't handle repeated actuation that
well. If the pins are ruined, you can get an aftermarket cooler.

(Intel LGA775 movie)
http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/24/12/241209_241209.wmv

This is what I'm using on my LGA775 board. This item bolts to the
motherboard, and is a colossal pain to install. (You have to
pull the motherboard, to fit it.) But it also cannot come loose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103046

The plate in the upper right of this picture, goes underneath
the motherboard. A hex nut is placed in the four corners. The
nuts hold the heatsink to the processor. No wimpy plastic pin
to release and let go...

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/35-103-046-08.jpg

When changing the heatsink, fresh thermal paste should be applied.

(Cleaner kit - if you don't want to buy this, use isopropyl alcohol)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100010

(Replacement thermal paste)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

HTH,
Paul

Paul,

I have already got thermal paste and remover. I'll reseat the cpu with new
paste tomorrow. It has a heatsink/fan held down with metal clips.
Not sure what the video shows as it's not working for me.

 

[Paul]

Paul,

I have already got thermal paste and remover. I'll reseat the cpu with new
paste tomorrow. It has a heatsink/fan held down with metal clips.
Not sure what the video shows as it's not working for me.

The movie is from this page.

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/100617.htm

Paul

 

[kleefarr]

The movie is from this page.

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/reseller/asmo-na/eng/100617.htm

Paul

Thanks Paul, but still can't run them form that page. Do they work for you?

 

[kleefarr]

Thanks Paul, but still can't run them form that page. Do they work for you?

Removed CPU and it was caked in thermal paste and dust.
Cleaned it off using thermal paste remover then purified and renewed thermal
paste. Seems to be running fine now. I suppose the heat couldn't be removed
by the fan due to the amount of crap around the CPU.

Thanks all for your input.

Kevin