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Question

Weird start-up issue

by Sep 24, 2012 5:01AM PDT

I have a DG43NB motherboard which has developed a weird start-up issue. When the computer is first powered up, All of the drive activity lights are lit, and the fans run at full speed. But no video, no beeps no action at all. After about 30 seconds the computer powers down and then powers back up. This time the system enters into POST and boots normally.


This behavior also occurs when telling the computer to re-start from within the OS.


I Believe (but am not positive) this behavior started when I changed the RAM settings. The RAM settings were set to auto, however I discoverd that I was experiencing random memory erros. This lead me to look at the BIOS settings to the RAM banks. I then took the BIOS RAM settings out of auto, and changed them to the values recommended by the RAM manufacturer. This solved the random memory errors.

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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Answer
That's a sign.
by Former Forum moderator Sep 24, 2012 5:05AM PDT
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Maybe
by dschlic1 Sep 24, 2012 10:33PM PDT

It is possible, however I have some doubts. None of the capacitors are showing visible signs of failure. Also the problem is not interrmittent. It occurs every single time. If it was a capacitor issue, there would be some randomnes. The board is about five years old, power supply is three years old. The BIOS settings are not changing and the CMOS clock still keeps its time so it looks like the battery is still good.

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With the new clues.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Sep 25, 2012 12:53AM PDT

It could be aged capacitors. If you read the specs on electrolytic caps, you find they do age and start up problems like this are common.

Again, I only have the clues in your post. Yes it could be something as simple as some USB thing that you can unplug for testing but I see no detail about such.

At 3 years old, you either measure the CMOS battery or you replace it.

You seem to be knowledgeable but need to move it up a notch by measuring that battery with your Volt meter. I'm just an old electronics and software designer that ran repair shops long ago. Here I can only make guesses based on what folk share. It is what it is. More clues means more things to try and better answers.

Let's cover off something that happened recently. A similar issue to yours and we were checking this and that when the member revealed the machine did it when new. Ouch, that wiped out all the usual issues of old machines.
Bob

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