Freezing on startup, why?

[javierdl]

This pc freezes while doing the memory test. I have already changed the memory and I keep getting the same results.
I have checked the IDE cables (40pins, one cable for each IDE device, both devices at the end of the cable) and CDrom and HD jumpers and everything is as it should.

I have also noticed some very odd green dots under the memory results, have a look:

http://webfolio.sunnylandbaja.com/temp/p3_450mhz.jpg

Why would it freeze?

Specs:
Apparentely the MB is from a company called DTK:

http://www.dtk.com.tw/download/utility.html

According to what I see on the screen this is the model:
i440BX-SMC672-2A69KD19C-00

The problem is I don't seem to find quite the right model number. I think the closest I've got to it was: "2A69KD1C-00", but notice my model has a "9" before the "C".

Thanks in advance,

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[ski]

Run Memtest86 to check the RAM(it runs in DOS from a floppy).
If the RAM fails any of the tests, and it works ok in another system, then there may be a MB problem.
Check for oxidation in the memory's slots. If any, then clean it with an eraser.
If that does not work or the slots are clean, then check the MB for any leaking, bulging, or ruptured capacitors.

If the RAM passes the tests, then check that only default settings are used for the memory in BIOS.

If that's ok, then the power supply may be bad.
You can either swap it out or test it as shown here:

http://www.ochardware.com/articles/psuvolt/psuvolt2.html

 

[BadBigBen]

Hi there, it's a Gemlight Mobo... GMB-P6BIAK V0

http://www.gemlight.com.hk

as DTK uses Gemlight mobos under different names...

as to your problem... what RAM are you using? Size and make...

take a close look at your CPU, for chipping and or cracks...



Ben

If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...

 

[javierdl]

I don't see any brand on this 256Mb memory chip, except for:

Korea C006
9824 FFF
HM5264805TTB60
PC100-332-60

But I doubt the prob is the ram. I have already changed it for 2 64Mb Siemens chips, and obtained the same result.

This is what I have done so far:

- Set the BIOS to its default settings
Yielding no differece

- Checked both IDE cables and jumpers are correctly set
Each IDE device (one HD, one CDrom) are placed at the end
of their respective cables. And the HD is plugged to the
IDE0 (right)controller, while the CDrom is plugged to the
IDE1 (left) controller.
Just for the sake of not leaving any stones untourned I switched controllers, and noticed that the CDrom is only found when being on IDE1. However, the HD always fails (message: Primary Master hard disk fail) regardless of its placing.

- Switched IDE cables with those from my own pc
Presently this pc uses 40pin cables, both for the HD &
CDrom. When doing the switching I used an 80pin cable for
the HD. This yield no diff.

- Switched PSU for another one

- Switched CPU (but didn't even go on)
Unfortunately I don't have any other PII CPU to test it
with.

- Switched HD for other 2.
The 3 of them yield the same result: "Primary Master hard
disk fail"

After all this testing I would say the problem is IDE0 controller, wouldn't you?
Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[javierdl]

I forgot to mention...
it invariably freezes while testing the ram (which is missleading IMHO, for you would think the prob is the ram, but remember I have already switched it over with other chips). So the only way I have managed to go any further is by skipping the memory test (using ESC), then it continues searching for the CDrom (finding it), then it attempts to find the HD (failing).

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[javierdl]

Oh, and as for chipping and or cracks, I didn't see any, nor rust.

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[ski]

Disconnect the HD and CD-ROM drive, and run memtest again.
If it freezes, then run it with the different memory inserted.
If it freezes again and the memory works on a different system, then either the MB or CPU is bad.

WRT the HD, start with a Windows 98 boot floppy inserted, select 'Start without CD-ROM support' and press Enter, at the A:\> prompt type dir C: and press Enter.
If it shows the contents of C: (the HD), then it's ok.
If it says 'Invalid drive specification', then either the the HD or the controller is toast.
Repeat the procedure with the HD installed on another system. If the same 'Invalid drive specification' appears, then the HD is toast.

 

[javierdl]

Ski, I already know that 128Mb SDram chip is ok, I used it on another system, it worked fine.
As for what you suggest doing to check the HD, unfortunately BEFORE I get that far I get a "Primary Master hard disk fail" message (which is already not very encouraging). After I press F1 to continue I see that the Win98 Startup disk recognized the fact that the HD failed to show. It also suggested to run an antivirus as this could be the reason for the HD not to show, and since I am running out of ideas I guess I'll do just that for now.

JDL

http://www.sunnylandbaja.com

 

[ski]

Make sure the floppy drive configured as a boot device ahead of the HD in BIOS, and then do the boot floppy procedure.

Also:
Do the 2 HD's that you installed to replace the original HD work ok on another system?

Did you also test these 2 HD's on both IDE controllers as Master and CS without having the CD-ROM drive installed?

Can you see the contents of the original HD on another system when connected as Slave?

 

[BadBigBen]

Hi there,

@ski - good suggestions....

@javierdl - do what Ski suggested... do take a close look at your Mobo, are the Capacitors (tall cylindrical electronic parts on the board, usually black or black/gold or green in color) buldging or perhaps even leaking (a brown colored fluid)... if that is the case, then either get the mobo replaced or get the caps replaced...





Ben

If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...

 

[javierdl]

I have carefully and thoroughly checked the MB from various angles without finding any buldging neither rust, nor leaking

JDL