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Author Topic: System hangs for 4'12" on boot  (Read 3288 times)

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Eg0Death

    Topic Starter


    Apprentice

    System hangs for 4'12" on boot
    « on: October 21, 2008, 06:36:32 AM »
    Here are the specs of the hanging system:
     
    OS: Windows XP Pro, SP3
    Motherboard: A8N-SLI SE
    CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2.2 GHz (dual core)
    Graphics card: ASUS EN8600GT HTDP 512MB PCI E
    RAM: Mushkin (formerly dual channel) PC3200, 3 GB (1 GB died)
    HDD 1: 70 GB (part of RAID 0)
    HDD 2: 70 GB (part of RAID 0)
    HDD 3: 200 GB
    HDD 4: 750 GB, Western Digital
    Sound card: On-board (see motherboard)
    Speakers: Logitech 5.1
    Keyboard: Saitek Eclipse (blue LEDs)
    Mouse: Logitech G5
    Mousepad: Don't use one
    Optical drive: DVD-ROM
    Optical drive 2: Sony DVD-RW
    Optical drive 3: HP DVD-RW w/ LightScribe
    Display: Samsung SyncMaster 906BW 19"
    Case: Antec P182
    Power Supply: XCLIO X14S4P3 ATX12V 500W

    When the system is booted the following is displayed:

    Phoenix Award BIOS v6.00PG, An Energy Star Ally
    ASUS A8N-SLI SE ACPI BIOS Revision 0502

    Main Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 4200+

    This is where the system sits for 4 minutes before checking the 3 GB of RAM.  I first experienced this a few weeks ago but forgot about it because I haven't had to reboot. I shut it down last night and had a nice reminder when I powered it up before leaving for work.  I will sulk about this until I can get home to work on it and thought I would bring it before the forum to syphon hints and tips from the members.  ;D

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    patio

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    Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
    « Reply #1 on: October 21, 2008, 06:51:19 AM »
    Test the remaining RAM with MemTest...
    Check Device Manager for any wayward devices...

    I'll assume you do the usual HDD housekeeping such as diskclean and defrag...
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    Eg0Death

      Topic Starter


      Apprentice

      Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
      « Reply #2 on: October 21, 2008, 06:59:56 AM »
      Should have mentioned I recently ran Memtest when a stick of RAM pooped out.  This was about a month ago and it ran overnight. The remaining 3 GB tested ok. 

      Device manager reports that things are both hunky and dory. 

      C: drive has a fragmentation of ~3%
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      patio

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      Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
      « Reply #3 on: October 21, 2008, 08:00:20 AM »
      After the processor check i believe that board checks the RAM next and this seems to be where it's hanging...
      Try swapping the sticks around.
      Are they matched speeds ? ?
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      Eg0Death

        Topic Starter


        Apprentice

        Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
        « Reply #4 on: October 21, 2008, 08:17:53 AM »
        They are matched.  All purchased at the same time. 

        I'm wondering if what my dual-channel settings are in the BIOS.  When I had all 4 GB it ran as dual-channel, but that obviously can't happen with 3.  I don't know if it was set to auto detect or if it was manually set as dual.  If it were set as dual maybe it's hanging for 4 minutes while it gets forced to single?  Or would the system just hang indefinitely?
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        patio

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        Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
        « Reply #5 on: October 21, 2008, 08:19:35 AM »
        That could be the issue...but most boards are supposed to auto-detect it.
        Worth a looksee for sure...
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        Eg0Death

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          Apprentice

          Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
          « Reply #6 on: October 21, 2008, 08:41:11 AM »
          I downloaded the manual for the board and there does not appear to be an adjustable channel setting for the RAM. 
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          patio

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          Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
          « Reply #7 on: October 21, 2008, 09:02:53 AM »
          I would try it with just 1 stick of RAM fitted in the slot closest the CPU...
          Even though the RAM was tested a month ago you never know.
          You may also have a bad RAM channel on that board.
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          Eg0Death

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            Apprentice

            Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
            « Reply #8 on: October 21, 2008, 09:16:04 AM »
            Quote
            You may also have a bad RAM channel on that board.

            Ack!  Speakest not of such tragedies!  Good Socket 939 boards are getting harder to find these days.
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            Eg0Death

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              Apprentice

              Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
              « Reply #9 on: October 21, 2008, 04:27:18 PM »
              I removed all but 1 stick of RAM, leaving the last DIMM in slot B1.  No change.  I tried the same with the other two DIMMs.  Same result.  I tried to get into the BIOS by repeatedly pressing Delete at the frozen screen.  Not only was I not getting into the BIOS but there were no beeps of protest.  Bad keyboard?  Bad USB port?  Bad USB controller on the mobo?  I unplugged all USB devices and unearthed a PS/2 keyboard.  They system booted to the Windows prompt (Press Ctr+Alt+Del to begin) in 55 seconds.

              This began the process of shutting down the computer, plugging in one USB device and restarting, shutting down, plugging in, etc., etc., tedium ad infinitum.  The HP psc 1350 all-in-one causes the system to hang - but only if it's turned on.  I have hated this {expletive deleted] piece of {expletive deleted] ever since I first hooked it up about 6 years ago and watched in awe as the installation took over 45 minutes.  It had only taken 45 minutes to install the OS on the same system! But I digress . . .

              The source of my woe was an hp printer.  Powering it down before reboot cuts the system boot time from a horrendous 4 minutes to an acceptable 55 seconds.   

                 
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              patio

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              Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
              « Reply #10 on: October 21, 2008, 05:42:35 PM »
              At least we eliminated alot of other possibilities..... ;D

                                             8)

              I think i'll add "If you have any HP products...remove them" to my flowchart diagnosis routine ! !
              « Last Edit: October 21, 2008, 06:26:47 PM by patio »
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              Eg0Death

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                Apprentice

                Re: System hangs for 4'12" on boot
                « Reply #11 on: October 21, 2008, 08:15:21 PM »
                Not a bad idea!  ;)
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