Computer sometimes doesn't turn on

[Shiva]

Hi,

After installing a new telephone modem I wasn't able to start the computer
after pressing the on/off button. Nothing happened, as if there was no
power.
I pressed the power cable firmly and some other cables too. Suddenly the
computer started running, but it wasn't clear to me after which action. The
computer came up with the message "CMOS checksum error, BIOS defaults
loaded" and started windows xp.
After turning off the computer, I wasn't able to start the computer again. I
decided to open the case but I didn't notice any loose circuits or
something.
I reassembled the computer and guess what, it started running, but it
displayed the message "CMOS checksum error, BIOS defaults loaded" again!

What confuses me is the CMOS-checksum error - if it is just a poor on/off
switch or something, then I do not expect such a error. After all, CMOS does
have its own battery to keep its values.

Some more info:
- motherboard is a P6SET-ML
- Intel Celeron 600 Mhz processor

Any idea's?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kony]

Hi,

After installing a new telephone modem I wasn't able to start the computer
after pressing the on/off button. Nothing happened, as if there was no
power.
I pressed the power cable firmly and some other cables too. Suddenly the
computer started running, but it wasn't clear to me after which action. The
computer came up with the message "CMOS checksum error, BIOS defaults
loaded" and started windows xp.
After turning off the computer, I wasn't able to start the computer again. I
decided to open the case but I didn't notice any loose circuits or
something.
I reassembled the computer and guess what, it started running, but it
displayed the message "CMOS checksum error, BIOS defaults loaded" again!

What confuses me is the CMOS-checksum error - if it is just a poor on/off
switch or something, then I do not expect such a error. After all, CMOS does
have its own battery to keep its values.

Some more info:
- motherboard is a P6SET-ML
- Intel Celeron 600 Mhz processor

After it'd displayed the checksum error, did you go into the
bios menus and (even if you change nothing) save the
settings? I suggest you at least set the clock, so if the
battery is bad enough it will be obvious because the clock
is wrong/reset later. Check the battery too.

_IF_ you get the system running stabily, I suggest updating
the bios, as thoose PCChips/ECS boards typically have quite
buggy bios.

 

[WebWalker]

Death CMOS battery, try to replace it.

 

[Shiva]

After it'd displayed the checksum error, did you go into the
bios menus and (even if you change nothing) save the
settings? I suggest you at least set the clock, so if the
battery is bad enough it will be obvious because the clock
is wrong/reset later. Check the battery too.

Yes, I had to set to clock again, it was set at the year 2000 and month
other than february.
I didn't have to change anything in the bios, the clock had been set through
windows xp.

_IF_ you get the system running stabily, I suggest updating
the bios, as thoose PCChips/ECS boards typically have quite
buggy bios.

I had already done that, I've got the most recent version.

 

[Shiva]

Death CMOS battery, try to replace it.

A dead CMOS battery explains the CMOS checksum error.. I guess that's
obvious. But does a dead battery also cause the computer not to turn on at
all?

 

[kony]

Yes, I had to set to clock again, it was set at the year 2000 and month
other than february.
I didn't have to change anything in the bios, the clock had been set through
windows xp.

Probably dead battery

 

[kony]

A dead CMOS battery explains the CMOS checksum error.. I guess that's
obvious. But does a dead battery also cause the computer not to turn on at
all?

It "can". Depends on the board, some will and some won't.

 

[Shiva]

Probably dead battery

I think so too, but does a dead cmos battery also prevent the computer to
power on at all?

 

[Shiva]

It "can". Depends on the board, some will and some won't.

Thanks. I'll try get myself a new battery and hopefully I solves the problem
for once and for all...

 

[Jan Alter]

Measure the voltage to the battery with a multimeter and you'll know
whether or not it needs replacement. If you don't have a multimeter try
connecting a flashlight bulb and see if it lights. I've never heard of a mb
not powering up simply because the battery was dead, but maybe it's
possible. My experience with the infamous ECS K7S5A mb and its bios has
taught me to avoid ECS completely.

 

[Noozer]

Hi,

After installing a new telephone modem I wasn't able to start the computer
after pressing the on/off button. Nothing happened, as if there was no
power.

Did you actually turn it off before mucking inside? Turned off at the BACK
of the computer or power plug removed?

If not, you probably shorted something out. The PCI slots are ALWAYS on
until the power is physically turned off at the PSU.

It sounds like your CMOS settings got scrambled somehow

 

[Shiva]

Did you actually turn it off before mucking inside? Turned off at the
BACK of the computer or power plug removed?

I removed the power plug before mucking inside the computer.

If not, you probably shorted something out. The PCI slots are ALWAYS
on until the power is physically turned off at the PSU.

It sounds like your CMOS settings got scrambled somehow

Yeah, due to a CMOS-battery that is nearly dead..

 

[Shiva]

Measure the voltage to the battery with a multimeter and you'll know
whether or not it needs replacement. If you don't have a multimeter
try connecting a flashlight bulb and see if it lights. I've never
heard of a mb not powering up simply because the battery was dead,
but maybe it's possible. My experience with the infamous ECS K7S5A mb

It is weird. I would never design a computer like a that, i.e. that it won't
power up if the battery is dead.
But it seems to be true for Hot wheel computers, read this link:
http://www.applefritter.com/node/5297

It probably also applies to the P6SET-ML..