CUSL2-C boot problem (hangs after POST test)

  • Thread starter Thread starter samsonmite
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samsonmite

Motherboard: CUSL2-C: On cold boot the boot sequence generally halts just
after the POST test (I get the one single 'beep' to indicate POST test OK),
and/or I may - sometimes - automatically get taken to the CMOS setup where I
am told my CPU frequency setting is wrong (but the BIOS is set to automatic
setting for the processor speed and memory settings). After accepting 'exit
saving changes' or 'exit discarding changes' [it does not seem to matter
which is chosen] and repeating the reboot procedure a number of times... I
can generally complete the boot sequence.

I have noticed that pressing the <ESC> key during the initial power-up
sequence can occasionally also result in a successful boot - or sometimes
also results in me being taken to the BIOS set-up screens - [but I believe
pressing the <ESC> key usually only bypasses the memtest - if it is enabled
in the BIOS - and my memory tests okay see below - and normally I do not
enable this test in my BIOS setup].

The screen message when the system halts shows an unusual part completed
message: "Press DEL to enter setup Press ES". I assume this is the
truncated message for pressing <ESC> to bypass the memory test. However, the
BIOS setting for the memory test is not enabled so this part of the message
should not appear (and it does not when the system boots correctly).

Warm boot <CTL - ALT - DEL> or 'restart windows' or using the power switch
warm boot function usually (but not all times) works fine. I have also
noticed that the problem is frequently more pronounced on a cold boot after
the system has been running and I then switch it off and start it again
shortly after switching it off. However, again, the problem is intermittant
and I cannot tie it down to a particular situation or procedure.

I have tried the following without success:
1. Re-flashed the BIOS (1014c.001 [beta])... then reset all options to
default settings. (I also tried the option of disabling the quick self test
and the stop on errors options... no effect on problem).
2. Ran memtest86 (to check if a memory fault) - memory passeed all tests.
My BIOS memory test also shows no fault with the memory (if I enable this
BIOS setting... note, enabling or disenabling the BIOS memory test has no
effect on the fault or the screen messages when the fault condition
happens).
3. Re-installed the latest INTEL 815 chip set applications and drivers.
4. Changed the CMOS back-up battery (installed a new one).

Fault just happend... suddenly ... a couple of days ago. Up to then, all
systems go... working fine.

I am running Win98 SE, and a PIII Intel 866 processor. I also have an
ADAPTEC SCSI board running but the boot sequence for this board does not
seem to be the next procedure to be loaded after the boot sequence halts.
The motherboard is clean, no dust, all boards/cards/cables etc seem to be
firm in sockets, and all fans are working.

Would welcome any thoughts/help from the ASUS community.

Thanks
 
From your first paragraph my initial guess would be something
to do with your CPU. Have you tried re-seating it (and your
memory, and your PCI cards)?

samsonmite said:
Motherboard: CUSL2-C: On cold boot the boot sequence generally halts just
after the POST test (I get the one single 'beep' to indicate POST test OK),
and/or I may - sometimes - automatically get taken to the CMOS setup where I
am told my CPU frequency setting is wrong (but the BIOS is set to automatic
setting for the processor speed and memory settings). After accepting 'exit
saving changes' or 'exit discarding changes' [it does not seem to matter
which is chosen] and repeating the reboot procedure a number of times... I
can generally complete the boot sequence.

I have noticed that pressing the <ESC> key during the initial power-up
sequence can occasionally also result in a successful boot - or sometimes
also results in me being taken to the BIOS set-up screens - [but I believe
pressing the <ESC> key usually only bypasses the memtest - if it is enabled
in the BIOS - and my memory tests okay see below - and normally I do not
enable this test in my BIOS setup].

The screen message when the system halts shows an unusual part completed
message: "Press DEL to enter setup Press ES". I assume this is the
truncated message for pressing <ESC> to bypass the memory test. However, the
BIOS setting for the memory test is not enabled so this part of the message
should not appear (and it does not when the system boots correctly).

Warm boot <CTL - ALT - DEL> or 'restart windows' or using the power switch
warm boot function usually (but not all times) works fine. I have also
noticed that the problem is frequently more pronounced on a cold boot after
the system has been running and I then switch it off and start it again
shortly after switching it off. However, again, the problem is intermittant
and I cannot tie it down to a particular situation or procedure.

I have tried the following without success:
1. Re-flashed the BIOS (1014c.001 [beta])... then reset all options to
default settings. (I also tried the option of disabling the quick self test
and the stop on errors options... no effect on problem).
2. Ran memtest86 (to check if a memory fault) - memory passeed all tests.
My BIOS memory test also shows no fault with the memory (if I enable this
BIOS setting... note, enabling or disenabling the BIOS memory test has no
effect on the fault or the screen messages when the fault condition
happens).
3. Re-installed the latest INTEL 815 chip set applications and drivers.
4. Changed the CMOS back-up battery (installed a new one).

Fault just happend... suddenly ... a couple of days ago. Up to then, all
systems go... working fine.

I am running Win98 SE, and a PIII Intel 866 processor. I also have an
ADAPTEC SCSI board running but the boot sequence for this board does not
seem to be the next procedure to be loaded after the boot sequence halts.
The motherboard is clean, no dust, all boards/cards/cables etc seem to be
firm in sockets, and all fans are working.

Would welcome any thoughts/help from the ASUS community.

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Motherboard: CUSL2-C: On cold boot the boot sequence generally halts just
after the POST test (I get the one single 'beep' to indicate POST test OK),
and/or I may - sometimes - automatically get taken to the CMOS setup where I
am told my CPU frequency setting is wrong (but the BIOS is set to automatic
setting for the processor speed and memory settings). After accepting 'exit
saving changes' or 'exit discarding changes' [it does not seem to matter
which is chosen] and repeating the reboot procedure a number of times... I
can generally complete the boot sequence.
Click to expand...

every beep sequence stands for different errors, maybe asus has a
table of it on their website.
I have noticed that pressing the <ESC> key during the initial power-up
sequence can occasionally also result in a successful boot - or sometimes
also results in me being taken to the BIOS set-up screens - [but I believe
pressing the <ESC> key usually only bypasses the memtest - if it is enabled
in the BIOS - and my memory tests okay see below - and normally I do not
enable this test in my BIOS setup].
Click to expand...

pressing esc means cancelling the simple memory check, skipping
errors, therefor the booting will go on
The screen message when the system halts shows an unusual part completed
message: "Press DEL to enter setup Press ES". I assume this is the
truncated message for pressing <ESC> to bypass the memory test. However, the
BIOS setting for the memory test is not enabled so this part of the message
should not appear (and it does not when the system boots correctly).
Click to expand...
if you have more than 1 memory stick, try each one alone.
Warm boot <CTL - ALT - DEL> or 'restart windows' or using the power switch
warm boot function usually (but not all times) works fine. I have also
noticed that the problem is frequently more pronounced on a cold boot after
the system has been running and I then switch it off and start it again
shortly after switching it off. However, again, the problem is intermittant
and I cannot tie it down to a particular situation or procedure.
Click to expand...

with bad memory, you can get lucky quite some times,
but every time its fails, you are losing some files from your harddisk
due to corruption.
I have tried the following without success:
1. Re-flashed the BIOS (1014c.001 [beta])... then reset all options to
default settings. (I also tried the option of disabling the quick self test
and the stop on errors options... no effect on problem).
2. Ran memtest86 (to check if a memory fault) - memory passeed all tests.
My BIOS memory test also shows no fault with the memory (if I enable this
BIOS setting... note, enabling or disenabling the BIOS memory test has no
effect on the fault or the screen messages when the fault condition
happens).
3. Re-installed the latest INTEL 815 chip set applications and drivers.
4. Changed the CMOS back-up battery (installed a new one).

Fault just happend... suddenly ... a couple of days ago. Up to then, all
systems go... working fine.
Click to expand...

daring to flash with bad memory, omg !!

try increasing the 3.3 voltage ONE step in the bios , if its not bad
memory, it might help, as it did with my old tusl 2c.
 
Have you tried another power supply yet? Flaky PSUs can cause all kinds
of highly weird problems. Oh, and remove and reinsert all the expansion
cards to get potentially oxidized contacts clean.

Stephan
 
Thanks Pete R, I have not tried reseating the processor... as soo as I can
find my wrist earth strap -again ... seems to have vanished!!... will do
that, thanks.

Will post results as soon as I can do the task

I did reseat my PCI/AGP cards and memory - had no luck.

Thanks for the suggestion


From your first paragraph my initial guess would be something
to do with your CPU. Have you tried re-seating it (and your
memory, and your PCI cards)?
 
every beep sequence stands for different errors, maybe asus has a
table of it on their website.

Thanks... yes, the 'beep' I get simply means that the POST test has been
completed successfully.


pressing esc means cancelling the simple memory check, skipping
errors, therefor the booting will go on

Yes, but my process does not go on - usually, even when I press the <ESC>
key... it remains locked-up. Occasionally, though it does do what it
should... as you say.if you have more than 1 memory stick, try each one alone.

Thanks for that thought - I will try it and see what happens

with bad memory, you can get lucky quite some times,
but every time its fails, you are losing some files from your harddisk
due to corruption.

All the tests I have done tell me that I do not have an bad memory.
However, you are right - of course.daring to flash with bad memory, omg !!

Well... all the tests I did on my memory told me I did not have bad memory
else I would not have done a re-flash... I have not been caught with that
and hope I never am as the result could be total!

try increasing the 3.3 voltage ONE step in the bios , if its not bad
memory, it might help, as it did with my old tusl 2c.

Thanks for the thought IAEF I may try that!!
 
Hi Stephan,

No, I had not thought of the PSU at all... could explain a lot... I do have
the ability to monitor the PSU voltages so may do that and if all else
fails... replace the PSU... not as expensive as rebuilding the system... new
MOB etc etc...

Yes, I had thought of the oxidisation of contacts and tried cleaning the
contacts (used a contact cleaning spray specifically designed for that task)
and reseating the cards etc... no change

Thanks for the thoughts


Have you tried another power supply yet? Flaky PSUs can cause all kinds
of highly weird problems. Oh, and remove and reinsert all the expansion
cards to get potentially oxidized contacts clean.



Stephan
 
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