Asrock K7VT4A+ freezing and losing HD in post?

[dazzaboy]

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of repairing a friends PC and just wanted to share the problem with anyone in here to see if it sounds familiar to anyone.

The mobo is an ASROCK K7VT4A+ and it has suddenly started freezing during normal operation and restarting. When the PC restarts, the HD isn't recognised in the POST - 2nd channel drives are ok. After switching off and starting up, the HD boots fine and Windows start with no problems... the the prob starts over.

I have tried new IDE cables just to erradicate that side of things but still the same, which to me is pointing to a possible mainboard fault.

Anyone had a similar experience?

 

[dazzaboy]

Just to add to the point. I'm going to try a replacement hard drive first just in case its a recurring HD fault?

 

[paparazi]

dazzaboy
The dissapearing IDE's is worrying but could just be a side issue.
Faulty memory is always high on my list with these symptoms.
Also as it's a socket "A" motherboard, is the heatsink/fan unit fitted the correct way around (recess in the base of the heatsink positioned so it sits over the raised cam box of the CPU socket) with heatsink paste applied.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[dazzaboy]

CPU / heatsink is and always has been fitted correctly becuase I originally built the system. The ram chip is a quality branded chip which is fairly new so in this case I'd very much doubt it will be a memory issue.

I've been running a few other tests on the PC tonight to eliminate power problems and at one point the HD light was staying on solid after initial switch on and the system would not even POST. I removed the IDE cable from the HD and had both opticals wired up on the second channel and the system posted perfectly. The HD was the only part of the PC which was second hand during the build btw.

I think this is definately pointing towards a defective HD. I am going to try a spare HD in it and install an OS to see if the installation goes ok.

Will post any updates as I find them.

Cheers.

 

[garebo]

Just a thought. Go to the hard drive mfgr website and make sure you have the jumper(s) positioned correctly. If you dont that could cause a problem. Some drives like western digital have settings for if they are the only hard drive on the same ide cable and a different setting if there is another hard drive on the same cable. So check that out to be sure.

If the jumper situation is correct, perhaps you can use the asrock install cd and re-install the ide setup if its on the cd.



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[dazzaboy]

@Garebo:

It isn't a jumper problem as the PC has been running perfectly since I built it last December. Still in process of testing with another HD, if I can find my damn spare unit. /

Cheers.

 

[garebo]

In another thread here a person had the same kind of problem. It turned out that the reset switch that goes from the front of the case onto the motherboard was faulty, stuck on. So maybe unhook the reset switch and see if that helps.
You can even unhook the power on\off switch and start the computer with a screwdriver. That way, if that switch is faulty you will know.


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[dazzaboy]

Thanks for the comeback.

I've now fitted my spare 'trusted' HD and it is taking a full XP Pro installation no problem. I'll keep it busy for a few hours and see how it goes.

I couldn't even get 5 mins use with the old drive before lock up.

 

[garebo]

keeping fingers crossed!


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[dazzaboy]

Hi guys,

Just to wrap this thread up. It was a HDD fault as the drive was 'parking' after boot up and needed a complete shutdown / reboot to re-recognise on POST screen.

Cheers for the input.

Darren

 

[garebo]

I havent ever heard of a h drive parking after bootup before. I dont doubt your words, mind you. I wonder if thats a sign of imminent failure.
I was going to ask you if you have s.m.a.r.t in your bios and if its enabled. If you have it and enable it, see if you can slave that old hard drive and perhaps write zeroes to it from the diagnostic software from the h drive mfgrs website. That might cure the problem and you can use it as slave.


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[dazzaboy]

Maybe when I say 'parking' it was a bad choice of words. It still beats me how the drive ALWAYS went thru the boot procedure without a fault yet after 5 mins of use just freezes and hangs the system.

I haven't yet tried it as a slave or tried to recover it but no doubt I'll have a go when I get a spare 10 mins.

The drive was one of the old Maxtor Fireball's so has had a good life and no doubt was pointing to imminent mechanism failure?

Still, it's the first time I've ever seen this problem. Just goes to show you never stop learning with PC hardware.

 

[garebo]

Yes, you had me on the "park". With the hard drive freezing up after 5 minutes it sounds to me like the drive is bad and once it warms up it freezes. When cold it will boot and work until it warms up, then it will likely freeze up and then one day just wont work.
Those old fireballs, i have a few around still. Seems to me they have paid for themselves.


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