Boot stops at NVRAM check

[Mark]

I have a problem with the start up of my system
On power up it halts at the NVRAM check.
after multiple power cycles it suddenly recognizes the NVRAM as512
and continues booting properly.
Once it is running it does not appear to have any problem with the memory
and will run for days with out issue.

Temperatures:
Motherboard 27 °C (81 °F)
CPU 46 °C (115 °F)

The MOBO is running a AMD 1.2 Ghz

CPU Type AMD Athlon-PECM, 1200 MHz
(6 x 200)
62-1029-001131-00101111-040201-SiS735$K7S5AK7S5A Release 10/29/2002 S
Motherboard Name ECS K7S5A
Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type DEC Alpha EV6
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 200 MHz
Bandwidth 1600 MB/s

Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type SDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz
Effective Clock 100 MHz
Bandwidth 800 MB/s

Motherboard Physical Info:
CPU Sockets/Slots 1
Expansion Slots 5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 AMR
RAM Slots 2 SDR DIMM, 2 DDR
DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio
Form Factor ATX
Motherboard Size 240 mm x 300 mm
Motherboard Chipset SiS735

PNY Tech. (256 MB PC133 SDRAM) ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name PNY Tech.
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (1 rows, 4
banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type SDRAM
Memory Speed PC133 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage LVTTL
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us),
Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 3.0 (7.5 ns @ 133
MHz)
2nd Highest CAS Latency 2.0 (10.0 ns @ 100
MHz)

[ 256 MB PC133 SDRAM ]

Memory Module Properties:
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (2 rows, 4
banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type SDRAM
Memory Speed PC133 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage LVTTL
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Normal (15.625 us),
Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 3.0 (7.5 ns @ 133
MHz)

 

[mdp]

Try replacing your CMOS battery. It'll only cost a couple bucks.

I have a problem with the start up of my system
On power up it halts at the NVRAM check.
after multiple power cycles it suddenly recognizes the NVRAM as512
and continues booting properly.
Once it is running it does not appear to have any problem with the memory
and will run for days with out issue.

Temperatures:
Motherboard 27 °C (81 °F)
CPU 46 °C (115 °F)

The MOBO is running a AMD 1.2 Ghz

CPU Type AMD Athlon-PECM, 1200 MHz
(6 x 200)
62-1029-001131-00101111-040201-SiS735$K7S5AK7S5A Release 10/29/2002 S
Motherboard Name ECS K7S5A
Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type DEC Alpha EV6
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 200 MHz
Bandwidth 1600 MB/s

Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type SDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz
Effective Clock 100 MHz
Bandwidth 800 MB/s

Motherboard Physical Info:
CPU Sockets/Slots 1
Expansion Slots 5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 AMR
RAM Slots 2 SDR DIMM, 2 DDR
DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio
Form Factor ATX
Motherboard Size 240 mm x 300 mm
Motherboard Chipset SiS735

PNY Tech. (256 MB PC133 SDRAM) ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name PNY Tech.
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (1 rows, 4
banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type SDRAM
Memory Speed PC133 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage LVTTL
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us),
Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 3.0 (7.5 ns @ 133
MHz)
2nd Highest CAS Latency 2.0 (10.0 ns @ 100
MHz)

[ 256 MB PC133 SDRAM ]

Memory Module Properties:
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (2 rows, 4
banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type SDRAM
Memory Speed PC133 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage LVTTL
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Normal (15.625 us),
Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 3.0 (7.5 ns @ 133
MHz)

 

[Mark]

Checked the CMOS battery and it is at 3.1 Volts and is stamped 3 V
I had a spare from another MOB and tried it.
Still NO-GO
So what can I check Next?

I have a problem with the start up of my system
On power up it halts at the NVRAM check.
after multiple power cycles it suddenly recognizes the NVRAM as512
and continues booting properly.
Once it is running it does not appear to have any problem with the memory
and will run for days with out issue.

Temperatures:
Motherboard 27 °C (81 °F)
CPU 46 °C (115 °F)

The MOBO is running a AMD 1.2 Ghz

CPU Type AMD Athlon-PECM, 1200 MHz
(6 x 200)
62-1029-001131-00101111-040201-SiS735$K7S5AK7S5A Release 10/29/2002 S
Motherboard Name ECS K7S5A
Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type DEC Alpha EV6
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 200 MHz
Bandwidth 1600 MB/s

Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type SDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz
Effective Clock 100 MHz
Bandwidth 800 MB/s

Motherboard Physical Info:
CPU Sockets/Slots 1
Expansion Slots 5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 AMR
RAM Slots 2 SDR DIMM, 2 DDR
DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio
Form Factor ATX
Motherboard Size 240 mm x 300 mm
Motherboard Chipset SiS735

PNY Tech. (256 MB PC133 SDRAM) ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name PNY Tech.
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (1 rows, 4
banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type SDRAM
Memory Speed PC133 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage LVTTL
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us),
Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 3.0 (7.5 ns @ 133
MHz)
2nd Highest CAS Latency 2.0 (10.0 ns @ 100
MHz)

[ 256 MB PC133 SDRAM ]

Memory Module Properties:
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (2 rows, 4
banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type SDRAM
Memory Speed PC133 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage LVTTL
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Normal (15.625 us),
Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 3.0 (7.5 ns @ 133
MHz)

 

[james]

Make sure your memory is seated in the slot(s) all the way. In case of a bad
connection, take the memory module out, and carefully, take a pencil eraser
and CAREFULLY clean the contacts. (be sure you have grounded yourself before
touching the module to get rid of any static electricty). Re-insert the
module(s) and make sure they are all the way in and lined up correctly. Then
, reboot and see if you get past the memory check. I had (and still have) a
flakey CPU that would do the same thing and after several reboots would get
past the memory,and other POST checks and then try to boot. Sometimes, after
nearly an hour of rebooting ( I'm stubborn) it would go ahead and bootup XP
and run. But, turn it off for half an hour and I was back to square one.
Finally replaced it(CPU) and now all is well.
Good luck.
james

Checked the CMOS battery and it is at 3.1 Volts and is stamped 3 V
I had a spare from another MOB and tried it.
Still NO-GO
So what can I check Next?

I have a problem with the start up of my system
On power up it halts at the NVRAM check.
after multiple power cycles it suddenly recognizes the NVRAM as512
and continues booting properly.
Once it is running it does not appear to have any problem with the memory
and will run for days with out issue.

Temperatures:
Motherboard 27 °C (81 °F)
CPU 46 °C (115 °F)

The MOBO is running a AMD 1.2 Ghz

CPU Type AMD Athlon-PECM, 1200 MHz
(6 x 200)
62-1029-001131-00101111-040201-SiS735$K7S5AK7S5A Release 10/29/2002 S
Motherboard Name ECS K7S5A
Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type DEC Alpha EV6
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 200 MHz
Bandwidth 1600 MB/s

Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type SDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz
Effective Clock 100 MHz
Bandwidth 800 MB/s

Motherboard Physical Info:
CPU Sockets/Slots 1
Expansion Slots 5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 AMR
RAM Slots 2 SDR DIMM, 2 DDR
DIMM
Integrated Devices Audio
Form Factor ATX
Motherboard Size 240 mm x 300 mm
Motherboard Chipset SiS735

PNY Tech. (256 MB PC133 SDRAM) ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name PNY Tech.
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (1 rows, 4
banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type SDRAM
Memory Speed PC133 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage LVTTL
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us),
Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 3.0 (7.5 ns @ 133
MHz)
2nd Highest CAS Latency 2.0 (10.0 ns @ 100
MHz)

[ 256 MB PC133 SDRAM ]

Memory Module Properties:
Serial Number None
Module Size 256 MB (2 rows, 4
banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type SDRAM
Memory Speed PC133 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage LVTTL
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Normal (15.625 us),
Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 3.0 (7.5 ns @ 133
MHz)