Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: aussie11 on January 24, 2011, 02:13:04 PM

Title: Intermittent boot problem.
Post by: aussie11 on January 24, 2011, 02:13:04 PM

Hi.
I am having a problem with a p.c, when I boot it up I get 1 long and 2 short ram bleeps, the monitor doesn’t come on and I get message no video signal.
This will happen 4/5 times and then it will boot normally.

Have tried removing the two ram sticks and running on one then the other still the same.
Have tried resetting the bios to default and restored the o/s to factory settings

Packard Bell Intel core2 duo
Win X.P sp2
Nvidia geforce 7300 se

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Intermittent boot problem.
Post by: Allan on January 24, 2011, 02:14:53 PM

Go to the website of your mobo manufacturer and check the bios beep codes.

Title: Re: Intermittent boot problem.
Post by: aussie11 on January 24, 2011, 02:37:22 PM

Hi
The code comes back as DMA initialisation failure.

Anyone care to explain, or give me some idea of a fix.
Thanks

Title: Re: Intermittent boot problem.
Post by: Allan on January 24, 2011, 02:43:12 PM

http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/phoenix/phoenixGPBC06-c.html

Title: Re: Intermittent boot problem.
Post by: Salmon Trout on January 24, 2011, 03:52:18 PM

Quote from: aussie11 on January 24, 2011, 02:37:22 PM

DMA initialisation failure.

Anyone care to explain, or give me some idea of a fix.
Thanks

Hardware. Motherboard or expansion cards. Power off completely (disconnect AC) and check all expansion cards are properly seated, especially the display card. If that doesn't fix it, if it has onboard video try using that instead with the display card removed. Try removing other cards e.g. network, sound, etc to see if the problem goes away. In the BIOS setup, disable all shadowing of expansion adapter ROMs. if none of these get you anywhere, and you have reviewed the information here...

http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/phoenix/phoenixGPBC06-c.html

and here

http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/mbsys/sys_ExpansionCards.htm

and here

http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/mbsys/gen_Failure.htm

... you may have a faulty motherboard. I don't suppose it's still in warranty?

Quote

This will happen 4/5 times and then it will boot normally.

...The only other thing I can think of is maybe the PSU is sluggish at bringing all the power rails up, but I think that's a long shot.

Title: Re: Intermittent boot problem.
Post by: aussie11 on January 26, 2011, 02:40:27 PM

Thanks guy's, it was a card not seated

Title: Re: Intermittent boot problem.
Post by: Allan on January 26, 2011, 02:47:37 PM

Thanks for posting back. Glad it's all sorted out :)