Booting up question

[John Smith]

The date and time was Friday, February 27, 2009 11:25:05 AM, and on a
whim, John Smith pounded out on the keyboard:

The date and time was Thursday, February 26, 2009 1:14:26 PM, and on
a
whim, John Smith pounded out on the keyboard:

Just upgraded a pc..its a Gigabyte mobo, intel core 2 duo cpu and
XP.

When it boots up it seems to go through part of the sequence
twice....

This is what happens when it boots:-

Beep [8]

Gigabyte display (where one can tab for Post or esc for enter Bios
etc)[10-15]

black screen [15-25]

Beep [25]

Gigabyte screen again (where one can tab for Post or esc for enter
Bios etc) [30-35]

list of text [35-40]

then Windows sequence

and finally all ok after 1.5 mins

any ideas why it should pull up the Gigabyte screen twice?

wonder if its to do with the motherboard, cpu or Operating system?



Hi John,

From the description you've given, I would rule out Windows.

Are the two BIOS screens identical?

How long is the black screen visible?

What is the "list of text"?

Did you "upgrade" and just boot? Unless your prior MB/CPU combo was
VERY similar to the new one, one would expect at least to perform a
Windows Repair Install. If the two are completely different, one
would expect to perform a clean install of Windows and apps. If you
didn't, this could be a sign something isn't right.
============
Thanks Terry...

Yes both Gigabyte BIOS screens the same...

..the additional information is - its not possible to action anything
from the first Gigabyte screen..tried to enter BIOS via Delete
key...nothing.

Ref black screen etc showing see above original post I've added secs
from start [xx]

The "list of text"..is mention of HDD SMART capability...
...and list of PCI Devise listings with the various addresses...
...Verifying DMI pool data etc

when I said upgrade...it was more a complete new everything.

Thanks, John
======
Okay. So, did you just take the hard drive out of the old computer
and
put it in the new one? Or is Windows a clean install?
============================
No, new hard drive and clean install with original Windows XP Home CD.
Sounds to me like you may have defective hardware. Especially since
you're unable to do anything from the first BIOS screen. And the time
it
takes between each operation is VERY slow. Is everything configured
properly in the BIOS? Do you have all the correct drivers for the new
hardware for XP?

This workstation I built and it's just an AMD 3000+ 2 gig of RAM and 3
hard drives. The beep lasts for 3 seconds, the BIOS screen for about 4
seconds and I have a Windows Desktop in about 20 seconds. It's faster
than most Core2 machines I admin, probably because of the 3 drives, as I
have my OS's on one drive, programs on another, and data on the 3rd, so
all three are loading data on bootup.

Do you have a bootable CD or floppy you can run to see if it double
boots
with one of those?
==============

Thanks Terry..no unfortunately don't have bootable CD or floppy.
Did try booting from another windows on another old hard drive - results
just the same

Do you have all the correct drivers for the new
hardware for XP?

Will check that

You can get both here:
http://www.bootdisk.com/

============
Thanks Terry. J

 

[John Smith]

">>>>

If that's the cause, its not an XP question is it?

I do have some suspicions, but you should seek help from either Gigabyte
or Award..


So, basically you have an Award bios with a Gigabyte splash screen. And,
its a dual bios chip motherboard.

If you choose to input the question elsewhere, provide that information as
well.
--
Dave

CDOs are how we got here.
A modified version, new taxes in the future, is how Congress will get us
out? ================
I do have some suspicions, but you should seek help from either Gigabyte
or Award..

What do you think is the prob Dave?

 

[John Smith]

Let's cut to the chase here. Disconnect any bootable devices, hard
drives, CD/DVD, floppy and so forth. Before executing XP boot, does the
PC do the same thing as before? Sequence of double bios execution that
is?

If so, has nothing to do with XP or anything involving handover from the
bios. Ancilliary hardware which can be minimized by using only
mobo/cpu/ram/video card if applicable and keyboard only.

If not, would suspect anything after POST. You need to try other bootable
media as well as your XP on a hard drive.

==============
Dave,
OK, will give that a go...disconnecting the two hard drives, CD/DVD and
floppy...will report back
J
=======

 

[John Smith]

Let's cut to the chase here. Disconnect any bootable devices, hard
drives, CD/DVD, floppy and so forth. Before executing XP boot, does the
PC do the same thing as before? Sequence of double bios execution that
is?

If so, has nothing to do with XP or anything involving handover from the
bios. Ancilliary hardware which can be minimized by using only
mobo/cpu/ram/video card if applicable and keyboard only.

If not, would suspect anything after POST. You need to try other bootable
media as well as your XP on a hard drive.

==================
SUCCESS!!!!
Dave...u r the man...
....did what you suggested...disconnected all devices..
....ie 2 x hard drives, CD/DVD drive, printer, scanner, sound box and
external hard
drive....then switched on...all ok...
.....reattached the devices one by one...
....and guess which was the culprit?
....the **** external hard drive!!
....unplugged the USB connected 500GB Seagate Free Agent external hard drive
and all ok ie no double bios execution!!..
Thanks very much!
All I need to do now if determine why the Seagate is causing such and how to
remedy.
Cheers,
J
===========

 

[John Smith]

Are the two BIOS screens identical?

How long is the black screen visible?

What is the "list of text"?

Did you "upgrade" and just boot? Unless your prior MB/CPU combo was
VERY similar to the new one, one would expect at least to perform a
Windows Repair Install. If the two are completely different, one
would expect to perform a clean install of Windows and apps. If you
didn't, this could be a sign something isn't right.
============
Thanks Terry...

Yes both Gigabyte BIOS screens the same...

..the additional information is - its not possible to action anything
from the first Gigabyte screen..tried to enter BIOS via Delete
key...nothing.

Ref black screen etc showing see above original post I've added secs
from start [xx]

The "list of text"..is mention of HDD SMART capability...
...and list of PCI Devise listings with the various addresses...
...Verifying DMI pool data etc

when I said upgrade...it was more a complete new everything.

Thanks, John
======
Okay. So, did you just take the hard drive out of the old computer
and
put it in the new one? Or is Windows a clean install?
============================
No, new hard drive and clean install with original Windows XP Home CD.
Sounds to me like you may have defective hardware. Especially since
you're unable to do anything from the first BIOS screen. And the time
it
takes between each operation is VERY slow. Is everything configured
properly in the BIOS? Do you have all the correct drivers for the new
hardware for XP?

This workstation I built and it's just an AMD 3000+ 2 gig of RAM and 3
hard drives. The beep lasts for 3 seconds, the BIOS screen for about 4
seconds and I have a Windows Desktop in about 20 seconds. It's faster
than most Core2 machines I admin, probably because of the 3 drives, as I
have my OS's on one drive, programs on another, and data on the 3rd, so
all three are loading data on bootup.

Do you have a bootable CD or floppy you can run to see if it double
boots
with one of those?
==============

Thanks Terry..no unfortunately don't have bootable CD or floppy.
Did try booting from another windows on another old hard drive - results
just the same

Do you have all the correct drivers for the new
hardware for XP?

Will check that

You can get both here:
http://www.bootdisk.com/
===============

SUCCESS!!!!

....and the culprit?
....the **** external hard drive!!
....unplugged the USB connected 500GB Seagate Free Agent external hard drive
and all ok ie no double bios execution!!..
Thanks very much for your help and advice!
All I need to do now if determine why the Seagate is causing such and how to
remedy.
Cheers,
J
===========

 

[Lil' Dave]

==================
SUCCESS!!!!
Dave...u r the man...
...did what you suggested...disconnected all devices..
...ie 2 x hard drives, CD/DVD drive, printer, scanner, sound box and
external hard
drive....then switched on...all ok...
....reattached the devices one by one...
...and guess which was the culprit?
...the **** external hard drive!!
...unplugged the USB connected 500GB Seagate Free Agent external hard
drive
and all ok ie no double bios execution!!..
Thanks very much!
All I need to do now if determine why the Seagate is causing such and how
to
remedy.
Cheers,
J
===========

Unless you're using some intermittent option to boot from the USB connected
500GB Seagate Free Agent external hard drive, there's no need to have it
energized while the PC is turned on. Wait till XP is totally; finished
booting, then turn on this external drive. While in XP use the safely
remove icon in the system tray to remove the external drive before turning
off or restarting XP, then physically turn off the external drive.

The problem may be a bios setting for boot drives. Can't tell from here.
If you have a list in bootable hard drives section of the bios settings,
move that drive to the bottom of the list. It has to be energized for the
bios to see it and put it on that list. That's how my Award bios works here
anyway in the Advanced settings section.

If you're in the habit having having that removable hard drive on all the
time, you should ask yourself why its removable to begin with... To safely
store data, move that data elsewhere, AND, ability to isolate it from your
daily usage and potential power surges. Leaving it on all the time
prevents the latter 2 assets from being assets.
--
Dave

CDOs are how we got here.
A modified version, new taxes in the future, is how Congress will get us
out?

 

[John Smith]

Let's cut to the chase here. Disconnect any bootable devices, hard

Unless you're using some intermittent option to boot from the USB
connected 500GB Seagate Free Agent external hard drive, there's no need to
have it energized while the PC is turned on. Wait till XP is totally;
finished booting, then turn on this external drive. While in XP use the
safely remove icon in the system tray to remove the external drive before
turning off or restarting XP, then physically turn off the external drive.

The problem may be a bios setting for boot drives. Can't tell from here.
If you have a list in bootable hard drives section of the bios settings,
move that drive to the bottom of the list. It has to be energized for the
bios to see it and put it on that list. That's how my Award bios works
here anyway in the Advanced settings section.

If you're in the habit having having that removable hard drive on all the
time, you should ask yourself why its removable to begin with... To
safely store data, move that data elsewhere, AND, ability to isolate it
from your daily usage and potential power surges. Leaving it on all the
time prevents the latter 2 assets from being assets.

=============
Ah...found in bios settings..
"Legacy USB Support" ..switched that off and all ok...do you have that in
your Award setup?...in mine its under Integrated peripherals. ...dunno if
I'm loosing anything by switching it off?

 

[SC Tom]

=============
Ah...found in bios settings..
"Legacy USB Support" ..switched that off and all ok...do you have that in
your Award setup?...in mine its under Integrated peripherals. ...dunno if
I'm loosing anything by switching it off?

You'll lose some ability to attach USB 1 devices such as older keyboards and
mice. If everything you're using is 2.0, you'll be fine.

SC Tom

 

[John Smith]

You'll lose some ability to attach USB 1 devices such as older keyboards
and mice. If everything you're using is 2.0, you'll be fine.

SC Tom

============
ok, tvm. j

 

[Bill Blanton]

Ah...found in bios settings..
"Legacy USB Support" ..switched that off and all ok...do you have that in your Award setup?...in mine its under Integrated
peripherals. ...dunno if I'm loosing anything by switching it off?

Legacy support as it applies to the mouse and KB, allows those devices
to be enumerated as PS/2 devices as well as USB devices. As it applies
to storage devices, it will be enumerated as a P-ATA device. This is
so that legacy software (DOS, Win98, etc.) will be able to natively
see the device.

If switching it off causes no problems, then you should be fine. You
may have to switch it back on if you were ever to boot to a legacy OS.
Bootable data recovery software for example.

 

[Lil' Dave]

=============
Ah...found in bios settings..
"Legacy USB Support" ..switched that off and all ok...do you have that in
your Award setup?...in mine its under Integrated peripherals. ...dunno if
I'm loosing anything by switching it off?

No, I don't have that setting in my Award bios on my current PC which is
older that yours, I have a P4 2.4 GHz. I did have that on a much older PC.
It was for providing legacy support for mice and keyboard and did flaky
things like you've seen. The setting was too generic. I had to use a PS/2
keyboard to make the selection, then revert to a USB keyboard for instance
at next boot. Yours appears to serve some other USB generic functions. But
if it doesn't, and you're using a USB keyboard now, you may have problems
using that keyboard to enter the bios after the disabling.

In reference to USB in my Award bios, its divided into 2 sections for USB.

In the Advanced setting section for the 3 potential boot devices, in
reference to USB, I have the following potential selections:
USB FDD
USB ZIP
USB CDROM
USB HDD

In the Integrated Peripherals section:
USB Controller
USB 2.0 Controller
USB Keyboard Support
USB Mouse Support
--
Dave

CDOs are how we got here.
A modified version, new taxes in the future, is how Congress will get us
out?

 

[John Smith]

Legacy support as it applies to the mouse and KB, allows those devices
to be enumerated as PS/2 devices as well as USB devices. As it applies
to storage devices, it will be enumerated as a P-ATA device. This is
so that legacy software (DOS, Win98, etc.) will be able to natively
see the device.

If switching it off causes no problems, then you should be fine. You
may have to switch it back on if you were ever to boot to a legacy OS.
Bootable data recovery software for example.

 

[John Smith]

No, I don't have that setting in my Award bios on my current PC which is
older that yours, I have a P4 2.4 GHz. I did have that on a much older
PC. It was for providing legacy support for mice and keyboard and did
flaky things like you've seen. The setting was too generic. I had to use
a PS/2 keyboard to make the selection, then revert to a USB keyboard for
instance at next boot. Yours appears to serve some other USB generic
functions. But if it doesn't, and you're using a USB keyboard now, you
may have problems using that keyboard to enter the bios after the
disabling.

In reference to USB in my Award bios, its divided into 2 sections for USB.

In the Advanced setting section for the 3 potential boot devices, in
reference to USB, I have the following potential selections:
USB FDD
USB ZIP
USB CDROM
USB HDD

In the Integrated Peripherals section:
USB Controller
USB 2.0 Controller
USB Keyboard Support
USB Mouse Support

===============
OK, thanks Dave.J

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Saturday, February 28, 2009 7:54:25 AM, and on a
whim, John Smith pounded out on the keyboard:

Are the two BIOS screens identical?

How long is the black screen visible?

What is the "list of text"?

Did you "upgrade" and just boot? Unless your prior MB/CPU combo was
VERY similar to the new one, one would expect at least to perform a
Windows Repair Install. If the two are completely different, one
would expect to perform a clean install of Windows and apps. If you
didn't, this could be a sign something isn't right.
============
Thanks Terry...

Yes both Gigabyte BIOS screens the same...

..the additional information is - its not possible to action anything
from the first Gigabyte screen..tried to enter BIOS via Delete
key...nothing.

Ref black screen etc showing see above original post I've added secs
from start [xx]

The "list of text"..is mention of HDD SMART capability...
...and list of PCI Devise listings with the various addresses...
...Verifying DMI pool data etc

when I said upgrade...it was more a complete new everything.

Thanks, John
======
Okay. So, did you just take the hard drive out of the old computer
and
put it in the new one? Or is Windows a clean install?
============================
No, new hard drive and clean install with original Windows XP Home CD.
Sounds to me like you may have defective hardware. Especially since
you're unable to do anything from the first BIOS screen. And the time
it
takes between each operation is VERY slow. Is everything configured
properly in the BIOS? Do you have all the correct drivers for the new
hardware for XP?

This workstation I built and it's just an AMD 3000+ 2 gig of RAM and 3
hard drives. The beep lasts for 3 seconds, the BIOS screen for about 4
seconds and I have a Windows Desktop in about 20 seconds. It's faster
than most Core2 machines I admin, probably because of the 3 drives, as I
have my OS's on one drive, programs on another, and data on the 3rd, so
all three are loading data on bootup.

Do you have a bootable CD or floppy you can run to see if it double
boots
with one of those?
==============
Thanks Terry..no unfortunately don't have bootable CD or floppy.
Did try booting from another windows on another old hard drive - results
just the same

Do you have all the correct drivers for the new
hardware for XP?
Will check that

You can get both here:
http://www.bootdisk.com/
===============

SUCCESS!!!!

...and the culprit?
...the **** external hard drive!!
...unplugged the USB connected 500GB Seagate Free Agent external hard drive
and all ok ie no double bios execution!!..
Thanks very much for your help and advice!
All I need to do now if determine why the Seagate is causing such and how to
remedy.
Cheers,
J
===========

Glad to hear John. Take care,


Terry R.