Shutdown after splash screen but before login on XPsp3

[Dan Wheeler]

I've got a PC I've put together with off-the-shelf parts, new Gigabyte
motherboard with core i7 CPU, 6 gigs of ram, 2 SATA HDDs, Nvidia 8800
GPU and a 500 watt coolermaster modular PSU. At times, after the Win
XP splash screen appears but before the login screen appears the
computer will immediately power off. I've checked and rechecked power
consumption and I'm not even coming within 100 watts of overloading
the PSU so I'm pretty sure it's not power. The really baffling facts
are as follows:

It never does this in safe mode.
It only does this when my 2nd SATA drive (the non-OS drive) is plugged
in
I've already checked http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310396
and performed the steps as listed there.

I've updated drivers to no avail, and am just kind of stumped. I
don't think it's a hardware issue as this never happens in safe mode
(dozens of reboots with no incident).

Any suggestions?

 

[JS]

What does 'Disk Management' show about the second drive?
Can you connect the second drive to another computer and
see if the problem occurs?
BIOS settings for SATA should be something like Legacy, IDE or Enhanced.

Model of your Gigabyte motherboard?

 

[Paul]

I've got a PC I've put together with off-the-shelf parts, new Gigabyte
motherboard with core i7 CPU, 6 gigs of ram, 2 SATA HDDs, Nvidia 8800
GPU and a 500 watt coolermaster modular PSU. At times, after the Win
XP splash screen appears but before the login screen appears the
computer will immediately power off. I've checked and rechecked power
consumption and I'm not even coming within 100 watts of overloading
the PSU so I'm pretty sure it's not power. The really baffling facts
are as follows:

It never does this in safe mode.
It only does this when my 2nd SATA drive (the non-OS drive) is plugged
in
I've already checked http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310396
and performed the steps as listed there.

I've updated drivers to no avail, and am just kind of stumped. I
don't think it's a hardware issue as this never happens in safe mode
(dozens of reboots with no incident).

Any suggestions?

When you read the reviews here, do you see anything that matches ?
Gigabyte makes at least four boards for Core i7. Which one
is yours ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...010200280+50001314+1070645357&Subcategory=280

Paul

 

[Dan Wheeler]

When you read the reviews here, do you see anything that matches ?
Gigabyte makes at least four boards for Core i7. Which one
is yours ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=201020028....

    Paul

Oof, mine is the EX58-UD3R, apparently the one with all the problems.

 

[Anna]

I've got a PC I've put together with off-the-shelf parts, new Gigabyte
motherboard with core i7 CPU, 6 gigs of ram, 2 SATA HDDs, Nvidia 8800
GPU and a 500 watt coolermaster modular PSU. At times, after the Win
XP splash screen appears but before the login screen appears the
computer will immediately power off. I've checked and rechecked power
consumption and I'm not even coming within 100 watts of overloading
the PSU so I'm pretty sure it's not power. The really baffling facts
are as follows:

It never does this in safe mode.
It only does this when my 2nd SATA drive (the non-OS drive) is plugged
in
I've already checked
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q310396
and performed the steps as listed there.

I've updated drivers to no avail, and am just kind of stumped. I
don't think it's a hardware issue as this never happens in safe mode
(dozens of reboots with no incident).

Any suggestions?

Dan:
Just to confirm what you're indicating...

1. The problem you describe *only* occurs when the secondary HDD is
connected to the system during bootup. There is *no* problem when *only* the
boot drive is connected during bootup. Under those circumstances the system
boots without incident and functions without any problems.

2. Assuming that is the case, you should immediately check out that
secondary HDD with the diagnostic utility that's usually available from the
disk's manufacturer. You may be dealing with a defective HDD. The fact that
it's a non-booting HDD containing only data and not an OS does *not* dismiss
it as a possible cause of the problem you're experiencing. We've encountered
multiple instances over the years where a defective secondary HDD will cause
a problem along the lines you describe.

3. Assuming that secondary HDD checks out OK, try connecting it to another
SATA connector on the motherboard. And you're absolutely certain, of course,
that you've properly connected the drive (data & power cables) to the system
using an appropriate SATA connector on the motherboard, right?

4. Following shutdown, with the secondary HDD still connected to the system
and its data cable connected, remove the power connector from the drive and
boot. After the system boots, connect the drive's power cable (I'm assuming
you're using the 15-pin SATA power connector and *not* a 4-pin Molex power
plug). Does the system power-off under those circumstances?
Anna

 

[Dan Wheeler]

Dan:
Just to confirm what you're indicating...

1. The problem you describe *only* occurs when the secondary HDD is
connected to the system during bootup. There is *no* problem when *only* the
boot drive is connected during bootup. Under those circumstances the system
boots without incident and functions without any problems.
Correct.


2. Assuming that is the case, you should immediately check out that
secondary HDD with the diagnostic utility that's usually available from the
disk's manufacturer. You may be dealing with a defective HDD. The fact that
it's a non-booting HDD containing only data and not an OS does *not* dismiss
it as a possible cause of the problem you're experiencing. We've encountered
multiple instances over the years where a defective secondary HDD will cause
a problem along the lines you describe.

Will do that when I get home tonight.

3. Assuming that secondary HDD checks out OK, try connecting it to another
SATA connector on the motherboard. And you're absolutely certain, of course,
that you've properly connected the drive (data & power cables) to the system
using an appropriate SATA connector on the motherboard, right?

Will do this as well.

4. Following shutdown, with the secondary HDD still connected to the system
and its data cable connected, remove the power connector from the drive and
boot. After the system boots, connect the drive's power cable (I'm assuming
you're using the 15-pin SATA power connector and *not* a 4-pin Molex power
plug). Does the system power-off under those circumstances?
Anna

100% certain, the drive in question is a 160gb WD with no 4 pin molex,
it only contains a SATA connector.

Thanks for the suggestions, will try them later and post.

 

[JS]

Are you connecting the second drive to the ICH10 SATA
or the Gigabyte SATA connector (the two closest to the IDE
connector? Each has it's own BIOS settings and note that XP
does not support 'AHCI' mode.

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com

When you read the reviews here, do you see anything that matches ?
Gigabyte makes at least four boards for Core i7. Which one
is yours ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=201020028...

Paul

Oof, mine is the EX58-UD3R, apparently the one with all the problems.