Vista doesn't load

[alp]

Firstly my pc specs:

CPU: Intel Q6600 Quad Core 2.4 Ghz

Motherboard: ASUS Striker 2 Formula NVIDIA 780i

GPU: XFX 8800GT 512MB 256-BIT GDDR3

RAM: 2x2GB OCZ

HDD: Seagate 500GB SATA

PSU: 750W Thermaltake

running on Vista Ultimate 32-bit SP1

Plugged via an APC UPS unit.

 

I have been using this desktop PC with above specs for over 7 months with no major problems until I turned it on today. It freezes before Vista loads when the screen with motherboards logo, with "hit delete to setup, hit tab to go to bios" message underneath. No error messages, no response to any key on the keyboard. PC was last turned off appropriately.

 

Reading previous threads on similar issues, I unplugged all usb connections. Replaced my keyboard with a PS2. Nothing. Checked the fans, they are working.

 

I cannot access BIOS or anything else, therefore not sure what/how to check whether there is a hardware problem or possibly a Vista update problem.

 

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Alp

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hello Alp

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

Have you been into the bios to check if the hard drive is there and have you also tried powering it straight from the wall outlet rather than the ups?

[alp]

Hi Wolfeymole,

 

Yes I did try powering straight from the wall outlet. Same thing.

I cannot go into bios as everything freezes on the bootup? page I mentiıned above. Is there any other way? Is there anything I can check manually?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

So the keyboard is not working then yes?

Ok try pulling the motherboard battery for 30 minutes and then reinsert it.

[Dalo Harkin]

also take one of the RAM sticks out.

[alp]

Keyboard is not working, thats correct.

Not sure how I pull the motherboard battery. Help?

[Dalo Harkin]

ok there is a small round watch battery on the bottom (south end) of the MOBO - it just pops out

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Just gently lever it up and out like in the pic here.

 

http://www.infopackets.com/graphics/cmos+battery.gif

[alp]

OK. Taking out one of the RAM sticks out worked. Vista opened in seconds. Now what? What may have caused the problem? Should I put the other RAM in and try again? What I can do to prevent this from happening? Thanks so much for your help.

[Dalo Harkin]

Ok - have you EVER manually set the timings and the voltage for the RAM?

[alp]

No, Dalo Harkin, I have not.

[Dalo Harkin]

Is it the OCZ Reaper RAM 1066Mhz?

[alp]

OCZ Platinum Vista Performance Editition PC2 6400 - 2GB Dual CH

[alp]

OCZ Technology | Products | Memory | OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Vista Performance Platinum Dual Channel

[Dalo Harkin]

Ok - the page that you put up is the one that I would have sent you to, but the settings are CL 5-4-4-15 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)

and the settings are accessed through the BIOS manually set them and then insert the other stick again.

Vcore is also 2.1V <you should not need to change this though

[alp]

I cannot access these setting thru BIOS. Since I dont do this everyday I may be missing something very obvious. I'd appreciate some help. Thanks again.

[Dalo Harkin]

Ok on the BIOS normally top left there will be an overclocking section - you normally have to set to manual at the top and then change just the timings

[alp]

Ok, overclocking tuner is set to manual. Then I have system clocks and fsb&memory config menus. Nowhere where I can enter CL 5-4-4-15 (CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS) ?

[Dalo Harkin]

memory config should let you - have a look in your MOBO manual and it will show in there exactly where and what to use.

I cant remember from memory - will do a screen shot later if all else fails ok

[alp]

OK. Found it and changed timings as above. Reinserted the other stick. Problem reoccured. I also noticed that the VCore Voltage is 1.24V, not 2.1V. So I took out the stick again to be able to access BIOS. Anything else I should to be able to work with 4GB of RAM. I also am curious as to what happened to cause the probelem in the first place.

[RandyL]

Hi alp;

I'm sure Dalo will be back shortly to assist you. He knows your RAM type and your BIOS so please be patient.

 

There is one thing you could try while you wait. Switch the RAM you took out with the RAM you know works using the same slot. This might help determine if the RAM itself is bad.

[Dalo Harkin]

OK. Found it and changed timings as above. Reinserted the other stick. Problem reoccured. I also noticed that the VCore Voltage is 1.24V, not 2.1V. So I took out the stick again to be able to access BIOS. Anything else I should to be able to work with 4GB of RAM. I also am curious as to what happened to cause the probelem in the first place.

 

Vcore is for the CPU - leave well alone :eek:

as for the RAM - try it in one of the other slots and see if that works other than that - take both RAM out and put the one in that you took out to boot the PC and try that - if that does not work the stick is dead

[alp]

Tried it in other slots. Didnt work. Took both out and put the one I took out and didnt work. So it is a dead ram stick. Think there is a lifetime warranty on these things and hope my local retailer takes care of it. But any idea what may have caused to go bad overnight?

[Dalo Harkin]

could be a number of things - surge in the MOBO - heat build up in the stick - do you have enough cooling in the case.

They can just go pop and like you say OCZ have a lifetime warranty and thats why thats all I use :D

[alp]

Thought I had enough cooling but anyway. Thanks a million Dalo Harkin!