PC takes 10 to 15 trys to boot then works fine.

I have a 1 year old PC that has recently developed a problem booting up. As soon as I press the power switch on the case I get a continuous "beep" and the all the drive lights come on, the fans start and then the whole thing shuts down. You never get a complete bootup. If I do this for 10 times then it will finally startup and all is fine, computer works great until the next time I try to start it up...same thing again. I have replaced the memory, the video card, unplugged everything (drives) one at a time...no difference. Even disconnected everything EXCEPT the video and tried to boot, same beeping and shutdown. Could it be a power supply problem?

1. RE: PC takes 10 to 15 trys to boot then works fine.
lbyard Jan-30-02 04:34 PM
In response to message 0

Could it be a power supply problem? Yes. It could also be a number of other things. I would start with the minumal bootable configuration and build-up the system until the problem appears. "Minimum bootable configuration" (MBC)= Motherboard, CPU, heatsink-fan, memory, video card, power to the motherboard (keep the power cord disconnected), Power-on switch, Speaker connected, monitor, and nothing else--no drives. Larry

2. RE: PC takes 10 to 15 trys to boot then works fine.
flightsim1 Jan-31-02 00:21 AM
In response to message 1

I have tried a minimal set up, i.e just the video card...nothing else and I get the same long beeping and the power shuts off. I even looked into the AWARD Bios beep codes and there was nothing for one long continous beep. They point to the processor...I hope not because I don't have another one to try. I find it hard to believe that a one year old processor would fail, guess it could.

3. RE: PC takes 10 to 15 trys to boot then works fine.
lbyard Jan-31-02 06:26 PM
In response to message 2

>I find it hard to believe that a one year old processor would fail, guess it could.
Well, it’s hard for a computer to do this without a CPU that works: “If I do this for 10 times then it will finally startup and all is fine…”
You could try reseating it. I would start troubleshooting likely things by swapping components. Reseat the memory again. Try other memory. If you are using more than one memory module, try using just one. Check for a loose screw under the motherboard by picking up the computer and shaking it. The motherboard itself could be defective. Look for screws securing the motherboard to standoffs on the chassis that are not snug, but do not over-torque them. It could be a defective power good signal from the power supply or something else wrong with the power supply. The speaker circuit on the motherboard could have a bad component or a speaker wire is shorting—that will usually cause sparks. Larry

4. RE: PC takes 10 to 15 trys to boot then works fine.
qajfat Feb-01-02 11:25 AM
In response to message 3

I'm no expert, but have you tried clearing the CMOS just in case?

5. RE: PC takes 10 to 15 trys to boot then works fine.
flightsim1 Feb-02-02 12:25 PM
In response to message 3

I just found out from looking at the ABIT website ( my board is a KT7-A ) that if the processor fan itself if not running up to speed the BIOS will shut off the PC. I will research this avenue too.

6. RE: PC takes 10 to 15 trys to boot then works fine.
lbyard Feb-02-02 10:27 PM
In response to message 5

I doubt that is the problem, but it could be I suppose. Larry

7. RE: PC takes 10 to 15 trys to boot then works fine.
lbyard Feb-02-02 10:29 PM
In response to message 6

I quess I should add that I have seen quite a few computers with this sort of problem, but none lately and most of them took fewer than 15 attempts to boot. Larry