Name: Karl Date: March 25, 2002 at 17:58:00 Pacific Subject: Weird Boot Problem
Comment:
Hi all. I'm running a P3 1GhZ with 512MB on an Asus motherboard and using WinXP. Everything has been peachy until recently, I installed a second hard drive(40G). I formatted both drives and did a clean reinstall of XP for good measure. Again, all was well. However, a couple of days ago, my computer began rebooting strangely. When I restart the system, it hangs, then when I restart again I get sent to the BIOS (safe mode), which informs me that the CPU is not reading at the correct internal frequency. So I double-check it, and it's still at 1000MhZ, where it always was. When I reboot again, it starts normally. Until now. Now, I have to try several times for it to work, so I'm constantly restarting the computer and being sent to the BIOS, then restarting again only to see the same error. What could be causing this? Having never experienced the problem before, I thought perhaps there was an issue with the newer drive (it's a 5400 rpm Western Digital drive, and the older drive is a 7200 Maxtor). Other than that, nothing in the system has changed, and I haven't installed any unusual applications. Is it possible that it could be software related? Maybe something changing my boot record? Or could it be some problem with the processor? I'm baffled. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I recently had a similar problem but I found the solution sooner in the senario than you have. i just got lucky I think. Anyway what I found was a confounded virus called "worm_stator_a". What it was doing is corrupting each and every .exe file I accessed or tried to access. So even when I tried to use the windows help after a safe mode boot for the second time I couldnt acces it again. It was qite an intermitant problem similar to yours though. Just a thought I figured I'd share. Oh yeah, none of the norton anti-viruses were able to detect it. I had the best luck with "On-Tracks" anti thingy. Good luck and let me know what you found when you do please.
Hi Stretch. I just hunted down some info on that particular virus and searched my machine for any sign of it and came up empty. It's possible, however, that there's some other virus causing me grief. It's comforting to know, at the least, that these symptoms are likely software-related. I was concerned that I'd have to start looking for a new processor. I'll keep looking for a solution and post here if I find anything. Thanks for the help.
Sigh. Okay, I reformatted my drive and did a clean install of XP. During this process, I ran into the reboot problem again. After getting everything set up and workable, I made (seemingly) some progress. I noticed that when these boot problems occurred, the initial boot-up screen would stop functioning completely, forcing me to shut down. Upon restarting, it automatically entered a safe mode to access the BIOS. In doing this, a line of text informed me that my CPU was rated as a Pentium 3 500E, rather than a 1000. The BIOS then told me that the internal frequency was incorrect. This time, I changed it to 1020 MhZ and rebooted. It worked. I continued to use the computer normally and rebooted at least a couple dozen times without incident. Then, after installing Nero, (which I don't think would have caused any problem like this) I got the same boot problem again. I tried changing internal frequency settings, but nothing works consistently or permanently. I flashed the BIOS (which was already at the most recent version) in case it might have been a motherboard issue. The only thing I can think of is that there must be something amiss with the CPU itself. Or perhaps it needs some coolant or something between it and the heatsink. I don't know. I'm at a complete loss. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, or even an amusing anectode, I'd love to hear it.
Since you started having this problem only after you installed a extra hard drive you probably have a bad power supply or under rated supply to say the least. Of a 300W supply you can estimate the motherboard using 200+W (depending on the motherboard and CPU of course), and take about 20W-25W for each device that you plug the power supply into. Most PCs have a CD-ROM, CD-R, hard drive, floppy..so a standard system already pulls a lot of juice...also i think the power rating is similar to a car amp, and rated for peak power and NOT continuous power consumption or RMS.
If you are so inclined try each step and reboot, if it fails go down 1
1) try - if supported - to set clock speed and multiplier via jumpers on board, 2) reseat your CPU and memory chips, 3) *remove any non-required hardware, CD-ROM, sound card, all IDE drives, etc. 4) **Swap power supplies ensuring Pentium or Athalon certification - Yes there is such a thing- though usually with bad supplies you can't boot at all. 5) **Swap CPU's
* If at this point your PC starts working, start plugging your hardware in one-by-one, rebooting, and checking for results. Anytime during this test stage you find errors, than the last device you installed is your culprit.
** Do this with minimal hardware installed to ensure you test your motherboard properly
Holly s--- you have the exact problem that I have! I thought I was the only one... I have an Asus A7V motherboard with a 900MHz Athlon 294MB ram... and I have 3 HD and two CD-roms... one cd-rom another a cd writer... the writer is a scsi... I also am keeping the temp under 50C so its not burning... but the same booting crap... and then either hold the power for 4 secs of the reboot switch and get the bios! So if you find a solution pls tell me!!
Thanks for the tips Justin. I'm using a 300W power supply right now, and I forgot to mention before that when I installed this new 40G HD, I was replacing an older 6G drive. I don't know if the drain on the power supply is the same or not, but I'll certainly look into it. I find it curious that saatana is having the same problem and also using an Asus board... ;) As always, I'll post here the moment I find anything.
Ok I have found some odd numbers with my power supply.... I had some fluctuations in my -12 and -5 volts and I am running a 250W PS. Now this could be its having a hard time with it or the fact the PS is from 1997.... Its not a cheap PS either originally it cost me $100! But does it matter right at this moment -12 is -12.85 and +3.3 is +3.536 and -5 is -5.5???
you should have everything connected and drawing normal power, than check the voltages. We're looking for a drop in this case. And although you have voltage the power supply may not be able to supply the current. I can't tell you off hand what current rating power supplies are tho.
Stupid me forgot to ask you about the CMOS battery, that is if there is one visible. Try replacing it. BIOS needs a battery to store the information, whether its a built in chip type or a big watch sized battery.
