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I built and ran all diagnostic tests on a client's computer. I run all new computers for 24 hours before installing them in a customer's home and I was able to restart this machine without issue many times. About a week after I installed it my client turned on the computer and couldn't get past POST. After several restarts she was able to. When I checked it out, I had the same mixed results. I unplugged all externals except Vid and Power. Then I slowly added them back in without issue. After a few extra restarts it wouldn't POST again. It happens intermittently and nothing seems to cause or help it. I've reset CMOS and made sure everything is seated properly. I ran out of time before I could check RAM individually or remove internal components but I'm very confused as to why this would only occur every so often at POST.
I also cannot EVER get into BIOS settings which suggests a bad Mobo but I'm not sure. When I del into BIOS it shows the POST screen partially completed and then it locks.
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"I also cannot EVER get into BIOS"
If that's the case, resetting CMOS was a bad move because there are numerous settings that MUST be corrected.
"When I del into BIOS it shows the POST screen partially..."
Are you sure DEL is the correct key to enter the BIOS on that system?
"I unplugged all externals except Vid and Power. Then I slowly added them back in without issue"
I suggest you unplug everything again, except for the keyboard, then bootup & correct those BIOS settings.
Are you sure the power supply is adequate & not some cheapo generic unit?
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Remove the MB battery and wait for a few mintues before replacing it. This may clear the BIOS issue.
Look at all the capacitors on the MB for signs of bulging. (The end will be slighty rounded when the capacitor has been over heated). A weak or burned-out capacitor, on any part of the motherboard, will generate the exact simptoms you discribe.
Tomorrow the Stars!
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I am sure del is the correct key to access BIOS. However, while I can often boot into Windows, I cannot ever access my BIOS settings even after removing all components and/or resetting BIOS by removing the CMOS battery.
I didn't have much time to review internal components but I will today. I will check again for bad capacitors and scan the RAM.
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If you have a usb keyboard it may not operate until windows has loaded the usb drivers, so it will be dead during the POST. Try a wired keyboard to see if you can get into bios.
Borderrose
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The keyboard check is good advise. I had that issue once and had to work it out the hard way.
If that is the solution, for accessing the BIOS, most BIOS have the option to active the USB port during post. Just don't forget to activate it.
Tomorrow the Stars!
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The keyboard isn't the issue. I always carry a PS/2 with me in case the USB keyboard has this problem. No such luck. In fact, however, I was able to narrow the issue down yesterday after extensive trial and error. It turns out that if an HP 2527 All-in-One is attached and on during boot, it will lock the computer at the POST screen. I tried many different combinations. There is another HP printer (older model) attached as well that does not cause this problem. So now I'm left wondering if this is a PSU issue (probably not), some kind of Mobo incompatibility issue (in which case I'm wondering if a BIOS update is in order), or perhaps the printer itself is malfunctioning. The printer worked perfectly on the last computer it was hooked up to. Also, once the computer is booted the printer can be plugged in and used without issue. Also, this issue only seems to occur on a cold boot. Resets don't usually freeze.
Now I'm left to ponder...
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Just a follow up...
It turns out that the HP all-in-one attached to the computer is keeping it from booting. So long as it is off during boot there is no problem at all. There are other peripherals (and another older HP printer) attached that do not cause this issue. MSI simply asked me to update the BIOS but this hardly merits such a dangerous procedure.
It took nearly fifty restarts to totally narrow down the printer as the culprit but it's the for-sure issue.
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