Computer does not always start correctly

darkpower212

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Apr 12, 2014
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Hello everyone,

I am having an issue with my main system where it does not seem to boot correctly without repeated attempts (usually the first few attempts result in a black screen but fans spin and the hard drive light is flashing).

What’s weird is that when the computer actually boots correctly it runs perfectly fine.

In fact I am writing this post on it right now.

The issue is hard to describe so I have a video of it available here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oxjoKBwi2Q&feature=youtu.be

Some Notes

As you may be able to see in the video, when the computer fails to post one fan blows at its full speed (do not know which fan)

Sometimes some SATA devices are not detected (this has happened very rarely since I built the computer back in December 2012)

I am not sure if it is booting to windows but there is at least some Hard disc activity.

When the computer fails to boot correctly I noticed that the DPI button on my mouse does not work and my keyboard LED's do not turn on.

System specs,

CPU: Intel core I5 3570K

8GB of Corsair vengeance ram

Motherboard: MSI-Z77A-G45 (with latest BIOS)

Video card: Sapphire HD 7770 OC edition

PSU: Corsair builder series 600w fully modular (recently added to replace a dying PSU)

SATA Devices,

Crucial MX100 128GB SDD

1TB WD black

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

:??:
 
Solution
Hello... Bio's flash is next ( try different revisions )... then RMA ( you pay one way shipping ) is on my list for you.... I have found MB's Bio's that just won't have stable operation... Battery, Flash, RMA or replacement fixed the problem.

*** important *** check your MB Version, it is painted/written on it... there can be version 1, 2, 3, etc... MB's and the proper BIO's or that MB version is required, when searching for the correct DL... the wrong MB BIO's update could have been the problem from the start for you. "struggling to detect all of the system hardware."
Typically... Some type of hardware/chip was changed, ( cost-performance ) between MB versions.


I don't have any windows 8 settings enabled such as fast boot however whats the MB performance setting?

I do not have any OC settings enabled if thats what it is.
 
Hello... the settings I'm suggesting are in the BIO's setting themselves... not WIndows settings... Have you ever edited your BIO's?

I also recommend removing Power from your Power supply after a shut down... ( unplug from the wall, flip the PS switch, or use a Power strip with a switch on it. )
 


Ok I loaded the default settings for the BIOS (just thought I would try it before flashing the BIOS)

I noticed that afterwards the computer worked in one attempt however It took a long time to detect my WD black Hard Drive.

I’m starting to wonder whether it is something to do with one of the components as the BIOS seems to operate normally.


BTW thanks for your Quick replies :)

 


I have not changed much in my BIOS.

When I built the computer all I enabled was XMP, IGD multi-monitor (So I could use quick sync encoding) and I also disabled the splash screen.

I will try unpluging it now.

I much appreciate your help :)

 
Ok after unplugging it and holding the power button down for 20 seconds, I tried powering it on and trying again the issue still persists (it took two attempts to power the computer on correctly).

Could this be my video card (the fan noise seems to come from that area)?
 
Hello... I have never needed to hold a power button on for 20 seconds... just turn on PS and press case button... and the computers start.
I have a feeling your BIO's is confused, or settings are not optimized... I would start with a BIO's CMOs clear/default... remove any USB drives plugged in at startup too.

What Windows "shut down" settings have you played with? hibernation mode? shut them off or change them all back to default.
 


XD no i done that when it was off in order to discharge any power that may still be left in the power supply.
 


Ok i will try that now.
 
*Have you tried clearing CMOS?
*Does this happen when connected to the integrated graphics (is it a supported option that you know of)?
*Does the computer restart correctly (not shutdown then power back on, but restart option)?
*Is this a recent problem?
*Can you identify a particular event that preceded the initial boot problems (windows update, graphic driver update for example)?
*Is windows 10 an upgrade or a raw (clean) install?
*Are there any other operating systems on the OS disk?
*Have you tried checking for errors via the OS (This PC > right click C: > properties > tools tab > check)?
*Have you attempted any boot repair options either disk bases or via command prompt?
*Are there any known good restore points you can revert back to?

Total shot in the dark here... I'd like the first thing you try is to just let it sit and see what happens for several minutes the next time this happens (for like 10 minutes, no joke). I've noticed that WIN10 has ways of sort of fixing itself as long as it can successfully enter the OS at least once. What appears be happening is the UEFI is trying to enter a boot protect mode that gets triggered on a predefined number of failed boots (this may not actually be happening i'm not familiar MSI specific items). Pressing the power button that quickly after a forced restart may be preventing this from completing. Try letting it sort itself out once or twice.
 


Thanks Ironsounds it seems to be working fine now (I reset the CMOS).

You have been very helpful :)

I will flag your answer as the solution in the morning just to be sure.

Once again i cannot thank you enough.

:wahoo:
 


Thanks i will try this if i encounter it again. :)
 


Much to my disappointment I just had the problem occur again.

I left it for about 10 minutes and it still did not respond.

(I had my phone plugged in and no charge was being given to it but my mouse, external HDD and other devices had their lights on).

It seems to not be even be posting correctly 🙁

Again one fan in the system was spinning at full speed were as when in posts correctly it only does that for about 1 second.


 

Just realised it still does it (I tried leaving it for about 10 minutes like you said).

I honesty have no idea what is causing it.

🙁

 
Yeah it looks like you may need to start removing hardware at some point if you can't narrow it down a recent software change/update or something UEFI/boot related. I've done it many times trying to figure out a misbehaving computer down to the point where only the bare minimum components and a raw reinstall were left as the soulutions...

Reflecting on my signature, try checking the individual components if possible, plug the monitor into a different computer to confirm it works with all the inputs it may have (even though it apparently already does). I know some monitors can behave strangely if they don't get a signal correctly or if it's initialized then interrupted. Also try to install the card in another computer if possible. That probably won't tell you anything if this problem also persists using the integrated graphics with the integrated graphics enabled in the UEFI if applicable. Also try all available outputs on the card and or on the motherboard to a different monitor or tv if possible. We need to rule out unknowns to get a good starting point.
 
Just to keep you all posted.

I cannot take the GPU out today as we have decorating going on and my system is providing wireless access to the printer and an XP virtual machine I have set up which are both being used so I cannot shutdown the PC. 🙁

I just remembered I need to mention some changes that have occurred to this PC recently as well.

As stated above I have a new power supply due to the fact that the old one was starting to fail (the new power supply is a corsair builder series 600w).

I have recently tried to change the GPU to a HD 7870 that my friend gave me, but i found it did not work so I put the old one back in.

the computer did not have this booting issue before these two events in fact i tried turing the power supply switch of at the back then switching it back on 10 seconds later and out of the two times i tried this i found the computer booted normally.

Hopefully this information was helpful.

I will try removing the GPU tomorrow, thanks :)
 


Ok I took the Video card out and tried with the integrated graphics.

this did not work (the computer showed the same signs). 🙁

I also tried resetting the CMOS and interestingly the computer booted when the battery was reset but after rebooting the same problem occurs.

I tried this 4 times and each time the battery was reset the computer posted and after reboot the problem comes back ???

I am starting to think maybe the motherboard is dead.
 

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