Is my Motherboard Malfunctioning?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Morchellus
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Morchellus

I believe this has happened twice now, both before (3 months ago) and after
the death of my last hard drive. Is there a diagnostic or troubleshooting
routine I can run for the following symptoms?

1. Computer is turned on or restarted.
2. On the first BIOS screen, the computer freezes up. The screen in fact
does not finish loading. The part about press DEL to enter Setup shows, but
the BIOS cannot be accessed.
3. There is fan activity, and warmth coming from the hard drive.
4. After leaving the computer sitting for 24 hours, and removing all
peripherals (not sure whether this had any actual effect or is coincidence),
the computer starts up pretty normally. After another restart, it is 100%
normal, seemingly.
The MoBo is only 14 months old. ABIT VA-20.
5. In between these episodes, the computer works normally. Also, I have
checked for malware and found none.
 
Morchellus said:
I believe this has happened twice now, both before (3 months ago) and after
the death of my last hard drive. Is there a diagnostic or troubleshooting
routine I can run for the following symptoms?

1. Computer is turned on or restarted.
2. On the first BIOS screen, the computer freezes up. The screen in fact
does not finish loading. The part about press DEL to enter Setup shows, but
the BIOS cannot be accessed.
3. There is fan activity, and warmth coming from the hard drive.
4. After leaving the computer sitting for 24 hours, and removing all
peripherals (not sure whether this had any actual effect or is coincidence),
the computer starts up pretty normally. After another restart, it is 100%
normal, seemingly.
The MoBo is only 14 months old. ABIT VA-20.
5. In between these episodes, the computer works normally. Also, I have
checked for malware and found none.
Click to expand...
I had similar problems with one PC and the only solution that worked in
that case was to replace the power supply with a better quality one. If
the computer was cold it would boot normally, but if it was turned off,
say during a power outage, it would take a very large number of attempts
to power it back on. The new power supply has never had this problem.
 
Thanks. Since the PS came from Fry's, this is a definite possibility. Would
I still see fan and HD power in the scenario you describe?
 
I may try that, though I realize it can be risky.
Here is another question: My computer has been making a single beep
periodically. I believe I have silenced the modem. I have no speakers. My
MoBo manual does not mention the word "beep" even once. I feel this is some
sort of warning, but do not know what it warns of. My BIOS says the CPU is
nice and cool: 33 celsius. I don't think power supplies have a beep.
What might this be?
 
Morchellus said:
Thanks. Since the PS came from Fry's, this is a definite possibility. Would
I still see fan and HD power in the scenario you describe?
Click to expand...
Yes, if the power supply was not providing the correct amount of power
on one of the different lines, say for the memory and CPU. Some of the
power outputs could be enough for the fans and hard drive but not the
outputs necessary for the mainboard.
 
1) The ABIT VA-20 is/was a problematic board; be sure you have the latest
bios and drivers for it.

2) do a memtest86+ and ensure the ram is error free

3) the abit newsgroup is a good place to ask followup Q's, lots of
knowedgable folks there:

alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit
 
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