Machine won't boot first time!

[Guest_imported]

Hi,

This is a bit of a strange problem. My P3 machine fails to boot when it is first switched on. If I leave the machine in its semi-on state (light on) for around 10 minutes or more and then restart it it works fine. It doesn't matter how many times I try and switch it on and off, it's all dependent on how long I leave it in a "half-on" state.

I thought that the problem was something to do with the power supply so I replaced it with a new one only to find the same thing happening. I can only assume that it is due to a temperature regulator or something that is preventing boot up until a set temp is reached????

Any help on this would be useful.

regards.

gdp

 

[BradSQLGuy]

There is no power setting in the software for this type of problem. It sounds to me like your motherboard is going out. -Does that help ya?

 

[Daveyboy2]

Also, check your BIOS when you can get the thing to boot - make sure you turn off all power options, and turn off the hibernation if it's available.

Temps won't have anything to do with a boot, if there are no power functions enabled, it probably is your MB. Is there any problem with the time and date? If so, you may want to change your battery in the motherboard.

 

[Enigma666]

It very well could be the CMOS battery, aka the Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semi-Conductor. This problem sounds VERY familiar. Hope this helped.

- Jonathan Warner

 

[Mulga]

Had a similar problem recently with a brand new Win XP Athlon 1600+, system would hang at the POST with a blank display when first switched on, hit the restart button and it would boot normally. To make it stranger this would always occur on the first boot of the day, but never at any other time. Turned out to be a faulty stick of RAM. Go figure. All things are possible except skiing through a revolving door.

 

[1Bullet]

Sounds like bad cmos ,a bad stick of ram can and will cause all kinds of problems as it will be corupting your operating system.Iwould be cheaper to test your ram , free if you downlaod off net,you will need to make a boot disc run for short and long period of time unless it fails right away. If ram fails, replace it then reinstall your operting system as it will be corrupted.If ram passes then look at motherboard.

 

[yahoo]

have you tried clearing the bios?

 

[gargouille]

May be classic case of a capacitor that's not holding enough charge...the next boot attempt charges it and VOILA...it boots.
More than likely a motherboard issue.