dombrorj
asked on
PC hangs at boot in bios setup
Hi,
i had a bad flash bios update and computer would not start. I got a new bios chip from mobo manufacturer, and now the computer starts, but hanvs during or right after post test.
Here's the sequence of events:
Turn power on and does ram check and recognizes video card. Then there is a Asus mobo flash screen, and then proceeds to the bios setup utility automatically. All the settings appear to be at the lowest setting, but i can't navigate or change any settings -- keboard is frozen.
I tried removing the mobo battery, clearing cmos and replaced battery, but that did not solve any problems. Possibly the battery is dead? I had the batterly out of the mobo for about a week while i was waiting for the bios chip to come in the mail.
Specs:
Asus a7v8x-x
chip: AMD athelon 1.8g (can't remember model)
os: winxp
thanks
i had a bad flash bios update and computer would not start. I got a new bios chip from mobo manufacturer, and now the computer starts, but hanvs during or right after post test.
Here's the sequence of events:
Turn power on and does ram check and recognizes video card. Then there is a Asus mobo flash screen, and then proceeds to the bios setup utility automatically. All the settings appear to be at the lowest setting, but i can't navigate or change any settings -- keboard is frozen.
I tried removing the mobo battery, clearing cmos and replaced battery, but that did not solve any problems. Possibly the battery is dead? I had the batterly out of the mobo for about a week while i was waiting for the bios chip to come in the mail.
Specs:
Asus a7v8x-x
chip: AMD athelon 1.8g (can't remember model)
os: winxp
thanks
The problems isn't likely to be with the battery, usual symptoms for a dead battery are loss of settings and restoring to default settings on reboot and is especially unlikely on such a new system, I've had motherboards last 5-6 years before the battery needed replacing. Check that the hard drives are plugged in correctly, if you bumped and ide cable while the case was open it could produce similar symptoms.
So you're saying as soon as u boot, the system goes to the bios automatically and then the keyboard wont respond? Just a crazy thought, but have u tried replacing the keyboard? Or checked for any stuck keys?
How about memory chips? Did the memory count up OK?
Hmmm, will a motherboard boot without RAM installed at all?
Is the BIOS chip the right one? Do the numbers match?
Hmmm, will a motherboard boot without RAM installed at all?
Is the BIOS chip the right one? Do the numbers match?
I think u better using back the old BIOS, don't update the BIOS, some time updating BIOS will infect the MOBO hang.
ASKER
thanks for the replies. still no luck.
I checked all cables, cards and memory -- everything is in snug. I also tried another keyboard, which didn't seem to solve the problem either. Any other ideas?
I checked all cables, cards and memory -- everything is in snug. I also tried another keyboard, which didn't seem to solve the problem either. Any other ideas?
ASKER
could possibly be a bad flash from asus, but i know they test every chip they send out, and it looks like they actually sent me a new one rather than the one i sent in.
what did you do the bios flash for in the first place? maybe your problem lies there; otherwise , you can ask a new bios chip from asus
What graphics card is in your system? Also what version bios did asus send u?
ASKER
i flashed the bios for no other reason than because i thought updates were a good thing -- boy was i wrong. this has been a disaster.
Asus sent me a brand new chip for my board. I'm not sure what bios version it is, but they are familiar with my problem and assured me the new chip would work. Since i can't get past post-test (i'm guessing that's where it freezes), i can't update the bios version they sent me.
The video card is a NVIDIA GeForce4 4400 128 ram
Asus sent me a brand new chip for my board. I'm not sure what bios version it is, but they are familiar with my problem and assured me the new chip would work. Since i can't get past post-test (i'm guessing that's where it freezes), i can't update the bios version they sent me.
The video card is a NVIDIA GeForce4 4400 128 ram
a bit late, but yes, i only suggest updating bios for a specific problem; your best bet is to have another chip from Asus.
When the Asus mobo splash screen appears hit TAB to view the post. Where does it hang or stop before bios jumps in? -PnP init? Also u might try keep tapping the DEL key before post to manually jump into bios before the board automatically does.
ASKER
i tried to view the post by holding the tab button, but won't let me -- jumps right into bios. hitting the del key doesn't work either.
So i can't specifically see where it hangs.
what is PnP init?
So i can't specifically see where it hangs.
what is PnP init?
mm, I've heard of similar probs with Asus a7v8x-x mobos hanging at PnP init in the POST, also early versions of your a7v8x-x bios did not agree with ATi 9800 and 9700 pros, hence my earlier question. You dont have to hold the TAB key, just tap once when the system displays the Asus splash screen. When u power up before the POST and hang, is your keyboard working? Check by pressing pause key to pause the boot, also check that the caps lock and num lock leds light up when u tap them. Is your keybaord PS2 or USB?
Have u tried using the Asus CrashFree BIOS stiffy or recovery cd-rom? http://www.asus.com/support/english/techref/mbfeatures/cfbios2.aspx
ASKER
Hi freeman118. thanks for the help.
the vid card always worked before, so i can't imagine that's the prob -- unless of course the bios version asus sent me is older than what came with the board when i orginally purchased it.
I tried tapping the tab key and no results. same with the pause key.
I thought it could have been the keyboard, and did try another one - no luck there either. both keyboards i tried are PS2. The lights on the keyboard flash just when the splash screen comes up, right before it goes into bios setup. then they go off.
At no point does hiting the caps and num locks turn the lights on.
the vid card always worked before, so i can't imagine that's the prob -- unless of course the bios version asus sent me is older than what came with the board when i orginally purchased it.
I tried tapping the tab key and no results. same with the pause key.
I thought it could have been the keyboard, and did try another one - no luck there either. both keyboards i tried are PS2. The lights on the keyboard flash just when the splash screen comes up, right before it goes into bios setup. then they go off.
At no point does hiting the caps and num locks turn the lights on.
Definitely try the Asus CrashFree BIOS stuff, also perhaps try a usb keyboard, and try booting without a keyboard, see what happens. I don't neccesarily think it is your keyboard that is faulty, rather the mobo/bios. I see here: http://www.all-about-pc.de/english/discussion%20panel/diskussionsforum1.asp?hardware
that a lot of other people have had trouble with Asus a7v8x-x and PS2 keyboards(bottom of the page), so definitely try a usb keyboard or PS2 usb converter for your keyboard.
that a lot of other people have had trouble with Asus a7v8x-x and PS2 keyboards(bottom of the page), so definitely try a usb keyboard or PS2 usb converter for your keyboard.
ASKER
i don't have a usb keyboard onhand to try. i unplugged the keyboard, which didn't seem to help any.
i also made an disk with the asus update utility, which should boot from disk (cdrom), but didn't. It seems that it's freezing right after the splash screen, keyboard lights come on for a brief second -- then goes off and enters bios setup with no response from the keyboard.
the only thing i can think of is that it is the wrong bios version, and have no way to updating at this point. any other suggestions.
i also made an disk with the asus update utility, which should boot from disk (cdrom), but didn't. It seems that it's freezing right after the splash screen, keyboard lights come on for a brief second -- then goes off and enters bios setup with no response from the keyboard.
the only thing i can think of is that it is the wrong bios version, and have no way to updating at this point. any other suggestions.
ASKER
oh, and i have the support cd with the crashfree bios program, but it won't boot from that either.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
I can't believe it . . . the keyboard was actually the problem. I tried 2 seperate keyboards and neither worked a couple days ago (both ps2). I grabbed another ps2 keyboard works perfect, and i'm up and running.
it's very odd that this occured at the same time i had a bad flash bios.
Freeman118 -- i'll award you the full 250. i appreciate all your suggestions and time helpping me.
it's very odd that this occured at the same time i had a bad flash bios.
Freeman118 -- i'll award you the full 250. i appreciate all your suggestions and time helpping me.
No problem, glad u finally got it working, this appears to be a common problem with the Asus a7v8x-x on certian bios versions. I think the new bios Asus shipped you was the root of your problem, they just happend to send you a bios with this particular keyboard prob. As far as I know this is all down to an IRQ conflict, for anyone else reading this, between grfx card and keyboard.