Bios, or not.

[joesteer]

My first post so, hello all.

Right here goes.

About 2 weeks ago I started getting problems with my OS (Windows XP Service Pack 3 Beta), my computer started blue screening on random intervals. My PC then began lagging while on the last stage of POSTing. I took it to a local PC shop for fixing as the problem was far beyond me. They gave me it back saying they'd fixed it. I get it up and running to the point in which I can log in, Windows is still blue screening left, right and centre.

I decided I really need to format, i get my Windows CD put it in and try to boot from it. Here’s the problem, when i press F5 to get into BIOS to change boot priority, nothing happens, it just sticks on the same black screen like the POST problem.

I’ve rebuilt the system from scratch, changing the RAM around and reseating the CPU numerous times. I even tried a low power boot to see if it had anything to do with it (unplug all unnecessary power like fans and HDDs) and it still didn't let me into BIOS. I also cleaned it out in case that a piece of dust or whatever could/might be shorting it out.

I’ve got no idea how to fix the problem at all. I thought try to update the BIOS, but i can't because it wont let allow me to boot from floppy.

Quick Summary as the above seems pretty incoherent. BIOS doesn't load, why?

So far my system’s been down for about 1 and a half weeks with this problem. So I’ll be willing to try practically anything, here are my specs:
AMD 4000+
7950 GT 256mb
2gig of DDR400 ram
80gig Western Digital 10000rpm Raptor
550 hyper PSU

Ask away if any more info is needed.



Thanks for any help at all
-Joe

[MSIC]

Certainly sounds like either BIOS, or something fundamental with the motherboard.
I'd clear the BIOS settings, and probably do this the old fashioned way - unplug the power cable and remove the motherboard battery. Leave it a few minutes (put the kettle on) and put the battery back, and plug all in.
The BIOS will be back to default settings.
There will be a 'clear CMOS' jumper somewhere, but i'm an old fashioned kinda guy...

[peterb]

A long shot, but it might be worth replacing the CMOS battery while you are clearing the settings anyway. It could be a PSU problem, so if you have a spare lieing around, or can borrow one, it would be worth checking out.

[joesteer]

Thanks for the quick response.

Sorry didn't specify. Already tried defaulting all settings. Booted it up and came up with the message 'Check Sum Error - CMOS defaults loaded' or something similar. Tried the battery method and checked the motherboard manual for the jumper method and tried that, still to no success.

My motherboards an Asus A8N-SLI Premium by the way.

[MSIC]

Hmm, you say that you try pressing F5 to get into the BIOS.
At the risk of asking the obvious, i assume that you are supposed to press F5, not F2, or delete? (I have a similar motherboard but cant honestly remember).
Also, since this was once an issue for me, do you have to select the 'F-lock' or similar on the keyboard to be able to access the F keys?
On my current USB keyboard, the F-lock is only even select-able when i have the keyboard plugged directly into my motherboard USB socket (as opposed to a USB hub, where i can't select my 'F-lock' until it boots to windows).

[joesteer]

Yeah i meant delete sorry, dont know why i said F5.

Little update, the internet on the PC isnt working now, the LAN port doesnt show any signs of a network (normaly lights indicate whats happening and they all say there isnt a connection, when there should be).

Could it just be the boards blown?

I'm thinking of buying a very cheap one to see if it works.

[MSIC]

It would be an awful coincidence to have 2 seperate, unrelated issues going on.
Looking more like the motherboard now...
By the way, if it were the CMOS battery, that still wouldnt be an issue providing that you still have the power cable plugged and and turned on at the wall. The battery is just there for when you don't have an power coming into the PSU.

Hmmm.....what else could it be?

Are all your various different power leads hooked up to the motherboard from the PSU?

[Kumagoro]

I take it you paid the PC shop to fix it. Seeing as they havent I would either take it
back or ask for my money back.