ACPI Compliance WinXP

[ash171717]

I've read all your forums on the subject, but none address my particular problem. I'm running WinXP S3 on the same computer that I have been using since 2000. I have done no recent upgrades. Suddenly, one morning (this is key), I start up and get the BSD that my computer is not ACPI Compliant. I shut it down and try again and voila it works. This has been happening for over a week. I need to restart 2-6 times and then it works. I found that when I let the first start up sit for a few minutes without shutting down, it starts up the second time (go figure). I've done a clean install and still have the problem (the clean install is from a disk image that has worked for many months). What's craziest is that during the day, if I shut down and then start up (not a restart) it works perfectly. Any clues?

 

[COLGeek]

I suspect (given the age of the system you described here) that you have a pending/in-progress failure on your motherboard.

What make/model of system (if a branded system, like Dell)? Or, a complete listing of components would help us isolate the problem.

This could also be PSU related as well, but likely the motherboard, at this point.

 

[ash171717]

Thanks. Here's the info.

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name VAIO
System Manufacturer Sony Corporation
System Model PCV-RZ30CP(UC)
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~2393 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 1010, 10/29/2004
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale Israel
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name VAIO\SONY
Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 1,536.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 25.38 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 3.36 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

[JarekS]

Hi

By using reset button, the BIOS automatically uses default settings. If you turn off and turn on the computer it loads saved settings, that means your settings. I discovered this when I was experimenting with memory timings.

If you have installed Windows XP with ACPI enabled, and then you disable this feature, you will get the BSOD.
The same refers to situation where you have installed Windows XP with ACPI disabled, and then you enable it, you will get the BSOD too.

Check out the battery. Do not measure its voltage as the result may be misleading. Replace it with a new battery. Correct BIOS settings. Everything should work correctly.

 

[ash171717]

Replaced the battery. If anything, the problem is worse. Here's the issue. I start up in the morning, get the BSOD because of not being ACPI compliant, I wait 5 minutes, leaving the BSOD on, and voila! it starts up. Now, after replacing the battery, it takes 30 minutes.... Looks like it's time for a new computer--unless you've got a simpler solution.

 

[COLGeek]

Go here and make sure you have the latest BIOS installed:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/p/model-home.pl?mdl=PCVRZ30CP&template_id=1&region_id=1&tab=download#/downloadTab

 

[JarekS]

I have made a mistake in my previous reply, I wrote, “By using restart …”, but it should be “By using reset button …”.

I think that BIOS update will not help, because ash171717 wrote that there was no hardware change, and the problem was not present from the beginning.

It may mean that it is a hardware problem, because a long delay is required to unload capacitors. Damaged CPU temperature sensor also causes a delay during BIOS start-up and other problems. ACPI standard is implemented in CPUs and motherboards thus the issue may be related to CPU or to motherboard.

Make sure that you have correct settings in BIOS.

Set BIOS options to those settings that were applied before the operating system was installed.

If you have enabled BIOS options related to APIC then you should also enable all options related to ACPI, enable also ACPI 2.0 standard.

You may try all combinations of BIOS settings that are related to ACPI.

Finally try to reinstall Windows XP with all ACPI options disabled. If it will not help, reinstall Windows XP with all ACPI options enabled.

If it won’t help you will have to replace the hardware.

 

[COLGeek]

Trying the BIOS upgrade will certainly not fix a hardware problem (as I previously suggested), but it could help with an ACPI problem that could have been initiated by one of the many OS/driver/application updates applied to your rig. It does happen from time to time.

It will certainly do no harm either.