Computer hangs at 'Updating DMI Pool Data..' after E6600->Q6600 Upgrade

[dave87]

I've got a machine which was running an E6600, Abit AB9 Quad GT and 4gb of DDR2-8500. When I upgraded my main PC, I decided to shift the Q6600 over, as though the motherboard in the machine was perfectly suited to the task (due to the layout/number of PCI-e slots), it could do with some more processing power when experimenting with multiple VMs.

I shifted the Q6600 over, and changed the RAM to 6gb (2x1gb and 2x2gb) DDR2-6400 - booted the machine. Booted first time, could get into the BIOS fine etc. The problem comes when it gets to the stage of 'Updating DMI Pool Data' where it seems to hang - a stage which usually takes seconds doesn't complete, even after 2-3mins.

Tried so far:

Removing unnecessary add in cards (SATA Controller)
Shift to PCIe Graphics Card (suspect the PCI one may have compatibility issues)
Unplugged all but two of the hard drives, yet to try unplugging them all
Reset the BIOS (though I can't see how I reset the DMI Pool information?)

Anything else I should try?

I know the memory is good, it came out of my main PC, as did the Q6600, so that should be fine - it was running at 3.1ghz quite successfully, it is now back at stock (2.4ghz).

Or is it just a case of leaving it running until it eventually updates?

[Domestic_Ginger]

Never had this problem so bad; I thought I would try a goole. This all I could come up with.

I've had problems with slow booting but I think 2 mins is taking the piss some what. Your motherboard was ready for the CPU upgrade (firmware)?

[GoNz0]

yank all but the boot drive, if that fails also yank the boot drive. make sure the cd/dvd is also unplugged. last time i had it was due to connecting 2 drives the wrong way round.

[Agent]

What BIOS revision? There was an update for the Quad GT for full quad support.

Flash to latest BIOS, load defaults from BIOS and take it from there if pulling all the other drives don't work.

Are you able to boot anything? Ububtu live disk? Memtest?...

[dave87]

It appears to be running the latest official BIOS update (23/05/2008- 17?), and have run it with everything unplugged (edit forgot the DVD-RW, going to try that now), BIOS defaults loaded, etc.

Can't boot to anything else as it doesn't appear to be able to get past the Updating DMI Pool Data stage.

[Agent]

DMI can be a complex beast, mainly because the checking is done differently by different manufacturers.

If you can't boot anything, it's a problem when it's checking the DMI data - most likely it's invalid and isn't being useful by telling you that.
If clearing the CMOS hasn't worked, it's flashey time.

Boot the system off a USB / CD / whatever into your standard DOS based flashing mode. I won't go through this here as I'll assume you know how to get a basic prompt up ready for flashing Dave

Use the following line:

AWDFLASH BIOS.BIN /CC /CP /CD

BIOS.Bin = the name of your BIOS. Probably M621E_17.BIN
Rename it to something easier if you like though.

/CC = Clears the CMOS after flashing
/CP = Clears ESCD data
/CD = Clears DMI information

If that don't work, try:

AWDFLASH BIOS.BIN /CC /CP /CD /Tiny

Tiny does not only use less RAM when flashing (not important here), but it also does a few small hidden differences involving the actual flash on Abit boards. Try the above one first though.

Do not use the inbuilt Flash tool if there is one in the BIOS, you must do it through a command line with the AWDFLASH tool.

LMK how you get on.

[dave87]

I'm guessing I'll have to reinstall the old processor in the vain hope that it gets past the DMI Pool stage as that is before you get the option/chance to boot from anything?

[Agent]

If loading the failsafe from the BIOS does nothing, then yes. Although you'll need to power down after the flash. swap the CPU and then boot, or the DMI might have issues again.

Really weird problem Dave and I'm mostly going through the issue logically rather than experience here.

[dave87]

Yea, stumped me too - presumed that a q6600 swap as it was already running the right BIOS would be simple....apparently not!

Thanks for the help btw - very much appreciated.