Booting problem

[species8350]

I run Vista Home Premium (32 bit)

When I start the machine the Bios tends to get stuck (freezes) before
completing.

Any idea what might be causing this, and how to cure the problem.

I have been told (after doing tests) that the hardware on my machine
is fine.

I have the latest Bios firmware flashed (without problem).

Turning the machine on and off, and pressing the start button for a
bit longer (say 5sec) often solves the problem.

Any advice greatly received.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Hi:
By BIOS getting stuck you mean that you cannot see Vista boot screen?
Are you by chance overclocking your motherboard or not using BIOS default
settings?
That might be the cause.
Carlos

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

The hardware is not fine. If I understand you correctly, it works fine after
applying and reapplying power to the system. This is symptomatic of a
failing component. After a while it warms up and works correctly (and passes
any stress tests), but if it doesn't function correctly "cold", then it is
faulty and it's not going to get better.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[NoStop]

I run Vista Home Premium (32 bit)

When I start the machine the Bios tends to get stuck (freezes) before
completing.

Any idea what might be causing this, and how to cure the problem.

I have been told (after doing tests) that the hardware on my machine
is fine.

I have the latest Bios firmware flashed (without problem).

Turning the machine on and off, and pressing the start button for a
bit longer (say 5sec) often solves the problem.

Any advice greatly received.

Thanks

Must be a problem with your computer since it effects the BIOS. There is
nothing wrong with Vista. It's the greatest operating system Microsoft ever
sold us. I'm so glad that I spent hundreds of dollars to upgrade my
computer and to purchase Vista. It's just great and I'm loving it. If
there's a problem, it's usually that thing that sits between the chair and
the keyboard. It certainly isn't Vista.

Cheers,
Doris Day


--
The "Wow" starts now.

"No sane person wants Vista, so Microsoft is making sure they have no
choice."
http://www.aaxnet.com/editor/edit043.html

 

[species8350]

Hi,

The hardware is not fine. If I understand you correctly, it works fine after
applying and reapplying power to the system. This is symptomatic of a
failing component. After a while it warms up and works correctly (and passes
any stress tests), but if it doesn't function correctly "cold", then it is
faulty and it's not going to get better.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVPhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help -www.rickrogers.org













- Show quoted text -

Thanks for the response.

The machine is new.

A tech carried out tests and confirmed that there was no problem with
the hardware.

He takes the view that it is a software problem that requires a patch.

I hope he conducts a BIOS test

I wonder if it might be static that is causing th glitch.

Best wishes

sp.

After booting the machine works perfectly

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

It's not a software issue if the system locks up on the POST. This stage of
power on is a self-test the system BIOS code is running. The fact that it
freezes is an indication that a component fails this 'power on self test'.
There is an off-chance that flashing the BIOS may resolve a problem with the
instruction set, but if it was previously working ok, then this is not
likely to be the problem. It is very unusual for BIOS code to suddenly fail.

At this point of a system startup, there is no software running other than
the system's BIOS code, no OS, no software, no nothing. I'd call the
manufacturer and get a different technician out there if it's under
warranty, as this sort of problem does not get better. The more likely
causes are faulty memory modules or bad voltage from the power supply.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[species8350]

Hi,

It's not a software issue if the system locks up on the POST. This stage of
power on is a self-test the system BIOS code is running. The fact that it
freezes is an indication that a component fails this 'power on self test'.
There is an off-chance that flashing the BIOS may resolve a problem with the
instruction set, but if it was previously working ok, then this is not
likely to be the problem. It is very unusual for BIOS code to suddenly fail.

The problem was present from new.

I did upgrade the Bios firmware on recommendation, but this made no
difference.

From cold, I press the on switch, the Bios loads to about 25%

I press the off switch, then switch on again, the Bios usually runs
without difficulty.

The tests that were conducted on the system included memory and disk,
all the tests run via F12 revealed no problems. I assume that the
whole hardware system was investigated.

The tech will be phoning again. I will report a continuing problem.

Best wishes

Ps. Thanks for taking the trouble to give a thoughtful response

 

[Guest]

Hi,

It's not a software issue if the system locks up on the POST. This stage of
power on is a self-test the system BIOS code is running. The fact that it
freezes is an indication that a component fails this 'power on self test'.
There is an off-chance that flashing the BIOS may resolve a problem with the
instruction set, but if it was previously working ok, then this is not
likely to be the problem. It is very unusual for BIOS code to suddenly fail.

At this point of a system startup, there is no software running other than
the system's BIOS code, no OS, no software, no nothing. I'd call the
manufacturer and get a different technician out there if it's under
warranty, as this sort of problem does not get better. The more likely
causes are faulty memory modules or bad voltage from the power supply.

--

Maybe POWER SUPLY
How many watts is it and what's in the computer?

 

[species8350]

Hi,

It's not a software issue if the system locks up on the POST. This stage of
power on is a self-test the system BIOS code is running. The fact that it
freezes is an indication that a component fails this 'power on self test'.
There is an off-chance that flashing the BIOS may resolve a problem with the
instruction set, but if it was previously working ok, then this is not
likely to be the problem. It is very unusual for BIOS code to suddenly fail.

At this point of a system startup, there is no software running other than
the system's BIOS code, no OS, no software, no nothing. I'd call the
manufacturer and get a different technician out there if it's under
warranty, as this sort of problem does not get better. The more likely
causes are faulty memory modules or bad voltage from the power supply.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVPhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help -www.rickrogers.org













- Show quoted text -

Rick

When I bought the machine a VGA cable (blue) was connected to the
monitor.
Another cable, a DVI cable (white) was also supplied, and an
instruction leaflet advised fitting this cable rather than the VGA
cable for optimal quality. I fitted the DVI cable.

Could this account for the problem that I have at cold boot?

Thanks

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

I doubt it, but you can swap in the VGA cable to make sure.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[species8350]

Hi,

I doubt it, but you can swap in the VGA cable to make sure.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVPhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help -www.rickrogers.org








- Show quoted text -

Hi,

I swapped the cable for the VGA and it booted from cold.

This gave me the chance to have agood look ar the DVI conection to the
video card. The connection does not look or feel like the perfect
fit.

I have swapped the cable back to the DVI cable and have tried to make
a better connection pushing a bit harder, adjusting the screws, etc.

On leaving the machine for a considerable time, then attempting to
boot up, the machine did boot up.

This may have been a fluke, I will monitor the situation.

From my limited experience of using, and looking at, computers, I have

noticed that these cable to card connections are often far from an
ideal fit.

I wonder if the bios could have picked this up.

Best wishes

Sp.

 

[species8350]

Hi,

I swapped the cable for the VGA and it booted from cold.

This gave me the chance to have agood look ar the DVI conection to the
video card. The connection does not look or feel like the perfect
fit.

I have swapped the cable back to the DVI cable and have tried to make
a better connection pushing a bit harder, adjusting the screws, etc.

On leaving the machine for a considerable time, then attempting to
boot up, the machine did boot up.

This may have been a fluke, I will monitor the situation.


noticed that these cable to card connections are often far from an
ideal fit.

I wonder if the bios could have picked this up.

Best wishes

Sp.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

UPDATE

PC booted up after standing overnight.

Still a bit sceptical. Will continue to sweat at bootup time.

ps. Could a bad connection account for the problem. Would the Bios
'know'. Bear in mind that nothing is obvious when using the pc.

Naively, I would have thought that bad connections would have been
obvious on using the pc, as would a problem power supply.

I have a reason to suspect the DVI connection to the tower ( it could
fit better), but no reason to suspect the power supply.

Talking to others, making good connections appears to be a problem.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Sounds to me like you've nailed the problem down, and yes, a bad connection
can cause no end of grief.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[species8350]

Hi,

Sounds to me like you've nailed the problem down, and yes, a bad connection
can cause no end of grief.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVPhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help -www.rickrogers.org











- Show quoted text -

Thanks

If this is the problem, why did I not see problems with the monitor -
flashes, interference, or something. The monitors image was perfect?

Are these connection problems, in terms of getting a good fit, common

 

[Rick Rogers]

Not exactly common, but not all that unusual either. The loose cable may
transmit the video signal just fine, but an intermittent short could throw
voltage spikes - and no computer component likes those.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[species8350]

Not exactly common, but not all that unusual either. The loose cable may
transmit the video signal just fine, but an intermittent short could throw
voltage spikes - and no computer component likes those.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVPhttp://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help -www.rickrogers.org







- Show quoted text -

Unfortunately, I have just re-experienced the booting problem.
Fiddled with the DVI connector at the video card. I am sure that the
fit is suspect.

I'll try and get the tech to call, and see what he makes of it.

best wishes