PC won't fully restart.

[SMARTYN89]

Hi there,

I'm having a strange problem in my desktop PC. Every time I try to "restart" (through Windows 7 start menu option or some software prompt) the computer log's off, the monitor loses video signal, but then it stays idle for eternity (fans & leds still on). If I then press the restart button on the tower, in turns completely off after 1-2 sec, and then restarts after another 1-2 sec off. No Windows errors, no boot errors, nothing.
On the other hand, shut down works fine!

What HW did I change? I bought a new SSD drive, and applied a new clean Win7 install there. Then formated my old HDD to use it for storage. Everything seems to work correctly.

I have had the same rig (without the SSD) for.. about 5 years and never had similar problems. So I presume it's either the SSD Hardware or the new Win7 pro Install, and not some memory voltage or BIOS update issue as I read through the forums.

Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks

**additional info**
1) I did not enable ACHI before installing windows in the SSD, so I ended up applying the relevant registry fix, and then I enabled it through the BIOS too. All seem to work according to Samsung Magician (TRIM etc).
2) SSD and HDD are powered through the same power cable if that has anything to do with it (I doubt it), and boot priority is correct. ( forst SSD which is on SATA 1 slot, then HDD located on Sata 2, then CD Rom etc)

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, Have you tried disconnecting the HDD. just for testing?

 

[SMARTYN89]

Hi, Have you tried disconnecting the HDD. just for testing?

Yes I did. Nothing changes, reboot still hangs.

One more strange thing: the safely remove hardware feature, allows me to disconnect the SSD which is my primary disk. I don't know if that shows something..
image: http://postimg.org/image/tscqkaoex/

Samsung Magician Status: http://postimg.org/image/tscqkaoex/

 

[alexoiu]

I suggest disconnecting the HDD and reinstalling Windows on the SSD. Then add the HDD.

 

[SMARTYN89]

I suggest disconnecting the HDD and reinstalling Windows on the SSD. Then add the HDD.

I did disconnect the HDD while installing the SSD and the new Windows. The only thing I forgot, was the ACHI.

 

[alexoiu]

Enabling AHCI after installing Windows should not create such issues. What board using?

 

[SMARTYN89]

Enabling AHCI after installing Windows should not create such issues. What board using?

I'm using Asus P7P55D MB.
i5 CPU
8GB RAM (2x4)
GPU AMD HD5850
SSD Samsung 850 EVO

 

[alexoiu]

I'd try updating the BIOS version (if newer version available). What Intel SATA driver have you installed?

 

[SMARTYN89]

I'd try updating the BIOS version (if newer version available). What Intel SATA driver have you installed?

I have the latest BIOS (dated back in 2011).
I don't know what SATA driver I've installed. None manually and the auto-update took over. Would you suggest installing one of these (Win7 64bit) ?

I think JMicron is for the E-Sata or CD Rom, and I don't use RAID, so the "Intel(R) AHCI/RAID Driver " maybe?

 

[SMARTYN89]

Update:

after failed restart (and manually pressing the restart button), I see that the HDD was once again "lost" from my computer..

 

[alexoiu]

Try the 11.7 driver: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/22194
See if the same.

 

[SMARTYN89]

Try the 11.7 driver: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/22194
See if the same.

I did install the Asus provided driver, and now the HDD has stopped "disconnecting" during the failed restarts. It's a start!

I noticed one more thing, this time regarding the LED indicators on my board. Those light up and turn off again during system testing on startup. However, during the "restart", in the shutdown phase, the "VGA LED" remained on (red). I believe that may indicate that something is wrong there.

I clarify that I have installed (clean) the latest VGA drivers from the manufacturer just after the Win& installation.

Should I try maybe to install a previous chipset driver? (and if yes how should uninstall the newer one first)

Your patience and persistence is greatly appreciated.

 

[SMARTYN89]

Latest status.

Seems to work now. How? I don't know.
These were my actions the past 4+ hours now:

• 
  ■ I tried a variety of drivers. Nothing.
  ■ Due to the "VGA LED" light on on the POST (after restart only) I investigated PSU and power cables options.
  Tried to remove power cables from HDD and DVD Drive (to reduce load), and replace SATA/power cables on the SSD, and also change power cable slots on the PSU (both for SSD and for GPU). Nothing changed.
  ■ Angry about the GPU led, I changed the VGA slot, from PCIEx16_1 to PCIEx16_2 (black at x4 BUS) and It could restart with the SSD. I added the HDD. No disconnects, and it could finally restart. Seemed to be smth wrong with the fisrt PCIEx slot.
  ■ Curious and disappointed with the conclusion, I tried once again the PCIEx_1 slot (@x16). And as if by magic it now worked OK. Two drives, and restart-able.. No VGA LED.
  ■ My brain downloaded the latest version of schizophrenia and wanted to throw the trolling PC of the balcony..

In the end, I really doubt It is actually fixed for good, and I think it was all about my MoBo complaining about her age, reminding me that the inevitable is close (5+ years old).

Would any other reason justify all these?

 

[alexoiu]

It could have been a faulty connection.