Computer Boot problems

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jon88

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Jan 8, 2010
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I have a problem when I first boot up my computer. About 2 out of 3 times it wont boot properly. I hit the power button and all the fans and components come on, but it doesn't boot the monitor. Also, I have a razer naga, and it seems it doesn't boot up the same times when the monitor doesn't. But I'll try it a third or fourth time and Bam, monitor comes on along with the razer. Perfectly fine.

This computer was just built last month. But I am still using the same graphics card from my older build. My older computer actually began to do this as well, so im guessing it might be the graphics card messing the boot up?? I dont know. The graphics card is a HD 6850 Sapphire Toxic Ed. Please HELP! Thanks

System specs-
Intel i5 2500k
Asrock p67 extreme4
HDD: 1 TB WD and 500 GB WD
Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB
PSU: Forget the brand, but 620 watt
GPU: Sapphire Toxic Radeon 6850
 
Ok, So I just flashed the bios to 2.10 by instant flash while waiting on the other video card. It booted up the first couple times then I let it sit while shut down, and same thing. Only now it added two numbers to the cycle on the led motherboard 15 and 19. Looked them up and its

15= Pre-memory North Bridge initialization is started
19= Pre-memory South Bridge initialization is started

and still the other numbers, but it always pauses at 60 for a couple of seconds. Then continues to cycle through the numbers. Its like everything is initializing but gets stuck somewhere along the way.
 


There should be a cycle of numbers that appear, that is normal with motherboards that have these displays. It is the number 56 that concerns me. Can you double check your bios settings for CPU voltages, frequencies, everything and compare them against what the 2500k lists as default?

Seems you have found one of the most difficult problems to diagnose. Fun!
 
As a shot in the dark; remove the battery, remove the processor, unplug the system and let it sit for an hour. Plug it back in and use the power switch to turn it on and off 2-3 times. Put the cpu back in with a new battery and turn it on. I re-read the posts and since this is intermittent and seems bios related, I am now thinking it is time to replace the MB if all these tricks don't work.
 
So, The update is I got the other GPU in, did the same thing to no suprise. I took the CPU off and put it back on, put some paste on and didnt do anything... Same thing. Im pretty sure what I have is a messed up board. Weird that it works 1 out of 5 times on boot then stays on perfectly. I have already contacted for a replacement. I think its the Motherboard and not the cpu. What do you guys think... I mean when it comes on, it works great. If it were the cpu wouldnt it be messing up when it runs?
 
Don't give up yet lol. Next step is to manually set your memory voltage and timings so that the mobo does not have to "auto" them.

Clear CMOS again, load optimized defaults, and then change the memory voltage, frequency, CAS, tRCD, tRP, tRAS from auto to whatever your memory spec is. The BIOS screens you need to get to are on page 60 and 67 of your manual.
 
WellI havbe another problem. I dont know if I killed my Western Digital boot drive or what, but now when I do get a successful boot it just goes to a screnn with a blinking line. No boot, and the lights on the motherboard go out, but fans stay on. Can still get into the bios after about booting 10 times. Bios is recognizing the hard drive, just not booting. And its getting worse on booting to the blinking line. HAHa one problem after another. Already talked to the seller, they are replacing. This thing has totally screwed up on me, I just hope i didnt kill my hard drive while starting that dang thing over so many times. I know thats not good for m components! Im suprised, I thought Asrock was awesome, they have great reviews!
 
So, I have a completely working computer now!! I contacted the seller of the motherboard, and I'm getting a full refund. It is defective. I went to my local store and bought an intel p67 extreme board (overpriced!!) put that sucker in and bam, it boots every time. It was in fact a motherboard problem, so if anyone is having that boot problem and or numbers popping up you might want to return it. lol Luckily I didn't kill any of my components like i thought. I don't think it was good to power on and off so many times for it to boot!

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has put there time into this thread and helping me. I greatly appreciate it!!! Definitely the most friendly forum I have been on.

For a side note, I bought a h60 and put it in. It idles at 33 and when I play games it goes to 48 sometimes. I have not overclocked. Is this a normal range for that cpu cooler? I want to overclock in the future. It is a 2500k anyways :) but really probably wouldnt even need it overclocked.
 
First off, really happy to see you are up and running.

I don't know what your ambient temperature is, so its hard to tell. But clearly those temperatures are fine. And you're right - you probably won't find many if any circumstances where OCing that cpu gives enough benefit to offset the extra heat and fan noise you would notice.

back to temps: If your ambient is, say, 20C there are cooler/case combinations that would do slightly better at idle. As for your 48C gaming temps, I wouldn't comment because I don't know the game or the load. We would usually take a PCs load temperature when running Prime95 to create 100% utilization and a specific load profile. CPUID's Hardware Monitor is best to monitor temperatures, and Furmark works fine to torture your gpu. All those software products can be googled and downloaded free.
 


Hey, I got those tools. HW monitor showed my core temps getting to low 50s and topping at 52 while running 3dmark11. Is that decent temps?? Or should I be worried. Also 3dmark11 said my score was low for my system. I got P3980 3DMarks, kinda weird and I really don't know how to read it. lol Here is the webpage for the results if it works.

http://3dmark.com/3dm11/1968186?show_ads=true&page=%2F3dm11%2F1968186%3Fkey%3Dd7jTEuNLjfED66qcB4EeVaUKYuCZBC
 
Actually I just figured out how to compare to a similar system. It seems my graphics card is getting about half the fps others peoples is with a hd 6850. Whats up with that?? There scores are seriously almost double mine!!