Persistent Reset problem

[Wilcke]

Originally Posted by Reece

This problem is becoming a total pain!!
I thought I found the problem, seemed to be ok but has just shown up again, what is happening:
Normally when I start the computer after 8 seconds or so I get a beep and all is ok, I think the initial power on start works ok, but if from windows I shutdown/restart, the computer shuts down but then hangs, no beep just sits there until I hit the reset button, but not all the time, sometimes it works fine, this also goes for warm boots also if a game/program reboots the system. Thing is I'm not getting multiple beeps as though there is a problem it either powers up with a single beep or does nothing, just hangs before the beep. I thought the problem was with a pc analyzer card I removed, as it turns out this card may have been causing my Index errors when the computer doesn't restart properly, atleast that's a positive!!
The motherboard is an Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe, does anyone have any idea as to what would cause the bios to hang at a point between reset and the first beep, if I had to guess the problem I'd say that it was with the motherboard reset circuitry but it could be that the bios is failing the power-on test, what that could mean is anyones guess.
Thanks for any help.

I generally begin trouble shooting a cranky PC, by connecting the power supply to a test unit which gives you a visual representation of all the voltages on the different rails and other pertinent diagnostics. Once the PSU is considered healthy, then you can move on to checking out the MoBo, Memory and CPU in that order. The beeps on post are significant and if you go into the MoBo manual there is a chapter there on diagnosing and interpreting the beeps on post. You definately have a hardware issue, that is for sure.

[Reece]

Make sure your CPU is properly seated in its socket.

Make sure the heat sink is properly seated on the CPU

Make sure all the RAM is properly seated and a matched set.

Make sure your power supply is adaquate.

My money is on number 2

I have used quality heat transfer paste for the heat sink plus I have software that checks the temperature and all is ok, once the computer gets that first beep will run without a hitch all day, the problem can be while the computer is still cold. Power supply, maybe, ram is seated properly & always buy matched sets (2x2gb Kingston).

I generally begin trouble shooting a cranky PC, by connecting the power supply to a test unit which gives you a visual representation of all the voltages on the different rails and other pertinent diagnostics. Once the PSU is considered healthy, then you can move on to checking out the MoBo, Memory and CPU in that order. The beeps on post are significant and if you go into the MoBo manual there is a chapter there on diagnosing and interpreting the beeps on post. You definately have a hardware issue, that is for sure.

Would be good to have a test setup, but nothing spare here, I'm getting no post beeps it's either 1 beep or dead.

Only advice I have is tell you what I would do: take it apart, completely. Clean all contacts/sockets/slots. Take your MB and PSU, connect the cables and power on and off untill you're sure it works. Add RAM, cycle power on and off, etc.

This maybe the only way out!
Thing is when the computer starts with the beep all runs ok, can leave it on overnight for a large download, works perfectly, and one thing I forgot to mention is that pressing the reset button works ok, starts without a hitch, well, has so far. Times like these I need 2 computers.

[Castout]

Check for registry error have you been cleaning your registry lately with a software that might be it.

Or a software conflict.
Uninstall everything that runs on start up and see if the problem persists.

[Reece]

This problem seems to have been fixed after the removal of a PCI diagnostic card, I also found that the CPU, using a program called OCCT, seems to be faulty as I get resets every now and then, however could be the motherboard, I am trying the CPU first as it is cheaper!! also it's an AM3 so it will run ok on newer motherboards (if I had to get one), hopefully the problem will be resolved after Tuesday when I install it and run some tests. Fingers crossed!!

[Reece]

Seems that the main problem was the CPU:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...12#post1184612

[Arclight]

Back in business, eh? Good, glad to hear you got it solved.