possible Hardware issue? Bios? 3

[jlockley]

I made the dumb mistake of purchasing an Acer off the shelf. After about half a year it will not go past the ACER splash screen. I may have set it not to go to the CD, (I have a windows update cd available.) Just splash screen.,

Can't figure out a way in,. Bios?????? Other hardware issue?? My head isn't coming up with any other explanation, so I hope someone here can.

I despise Acer now, so I would probably be willing to purchase a new board if nothing else is possible.

 

[BadBigBen]

1. See if anything is hooked up to the USB ports, like a flashdrive... My main PC acted like that last week, just splash screen and nothing else... then I remembered that I had a thumbdrive installed (for Vista), removed it and voila it posted and booted after that...

2. clear CMOS, corruption of the CMOS NVRAM can cause this aswell...

3. change CMOS Battery, not enough voltage may also cause this as per nr. 2...


good luck...

Ben

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

 

[goombawaho]

I agree with suggestion 1 above. I would unplug EVERYTHING that is not necessary to boot: Just leave memory, video card, processor, keyboard and even unplug the front panel USB and audio connectors from the motherboard.

I had an HP that would not boot. Ordered a motherboard and connected it - same thing. When I unplugged the front panel USB connection to the motherboard - it booted just fine. Something had fried the front panel USB port and it actually prevented booting. Crazy.

The other thing to try (at the same time) is to take the motherboard out of the case and try it that way. Lay it on a piece of cardboard, a towel or non-conductive floor (wood, concrete, tile). This will rule out anything touching and grounding to the case. It's easiest to do these both at the same time.

Also, if you have another power supply - give that a whirl if the above doesn't make any progress.

 

[wahnula]

See if you can get into BIOS to check the boot order (try hitting F2, Delete key, F8, or F12 before splash screen). If you get in, reset to default settings. I'll take Ben's advice one step further and recommend disconnection of all devices from the PC.

If you try all of Ben's advice above, and you need a new BIOS chip, this place has an excellent selection of replacement BIOS chips.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[jlockley]

You are great. I have removed just about everything. Unplugged but not drained. Tried F12 and entering Bios, but not F8 or F2 - I will do it again when at the desktop tonight. Removed Cmos battery, but it's a proprietary board, and I can't find the bridge to empty CMOS. Could be a soldered connection.

I spoke with Acer, which is sending out a new board in warranty. That's fine, since this one has a faulty audio connection to begin with (bought a card).

I think what I am doing in the long run is buying a board with more memory options, keeping the Acer as a backup and trying your stuff just to see if it works while waiting.

 

[BadBigBen]

jlockley - to clear CMOS without a jumper, all you need to do is remove the battery for a few minutes (I tend to hold the power button down for a minute or two, with the mains unplugged, just to make sure that the capacitors are drained)...

Ben

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

 

[jlockley]

You were on target. It was in fact a thumb drive I had missed when unplugging.The USB port seems to work fine, otherwise. Still taking a replacement board, though. I am also picking up an ASUS for about $100, as the ACER only has two dimm slots. This way the new ACER board will be a backup. Thanks a load for the assistance.

Let me ask another question: IS there a way to remove the ACER splash entirely from the boot process, or is this hard wired? Just curious.

 

[vanka25]

IS there a way to remove the ACER splash entirely from the boot process

If it's a retail motherboard (it's not from a branded PC) then there should be an option in the bios to disable the POST splash screen. But if it's an OEM board (from a branded PC) then the option may or may not be available. In either case, get into the bios setup and look around.

 

[jlockley]

I believe number two counts. I have in the past disabled various Windows flash screens in the registry, but this is obviously not in there. I assume it is hard wired. (Annoying..it's helpful to see what's going on.)

 

[BadBigBen]

just as vanka25 mentioned, it is in the BIOS not in the REGISTRY (has nothing to do with windows)... Look for BOOTLOGO under ADVANCED SETUP or BOOT CONFIG...

My GIGABYTE board came with a tool for changing the splash screen to anything I want... works like a charm...

there are several tools to change the SPLASH screen out there, like Borg Number One's BIOS-Tool-Collection[BNOBTC]...

DISCLAIMER!: modifying the BIOS and flashing a modified BIOS can lead to a NON-BOOTING PC... USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

PS: Glad it was only an annoyance and that you are up and running...


Ben

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

 

[jlockley]

just as vanka25 mentioned, it is in the BIOS not in the REGISTRY (has nothing to do with windows).

That's just what I meant. It won't work with this. I am guessing it's an proprietary chip with the code hard wired. I'd be surprised if there were an option in bios to avoid it.

Acer was surprisingly good on tech support after I got rid of whoever was on the line in India. (took over an hour to get there). But I would never do this again. For one thing, Acer's system has various processes highly controlled, and work arounds aren't easy. I suspect that is the case with most branded boxes. I've been picking nits out of the registry and deleting since I got it. I can see their point, as it probably makes the computer more stable and idiot proof, but having passed the idiot test some time back, I need to control my environment. I've been climbing walls.

Off to get the ASUS> Sweet little board.

 

[vanka25]

I am guessing it's an proprietary chip with the code hard wired. I'd be surprised if there were an option in bios to avoid it.

I agree that OEM manufacturers don't often put in this option in their bioses but it never hurts to check.

 

[jlockley]

Last time everoff the shelf. Really, I deserve what I am getting.

Cracked the case to put in an ASUS board yesterday and found 1) proprietary fan would short out another board (probably..not taking a chance).
2) 250W psu. I didn't even know they made them any more.
3) best of all (I am opening a new thread on this) all of the case connectors fused in a weird block, some wires sharing a connection.

Since I know y'all care by now, let it be said that this is now costing me about as much as the original computer.

OW! OW! OW! (from dope slapping self).

 

[jlockley]

I just figured out the reason. It's the 250W PSU. Removing the last thumb drive, which works just fine on other desktops, removed the problem.

I have a desktop with a total of 6 USB ports, 3 drives including optical plus a 250G USB backup drive, one memory card in slot, huge cpu (but no case) fan, and with 250W it can't make it past the splash screen? What are the odds?

Dope slapping myself as I type isn't easy.

 

[BadBigBen]

Well, we all learn from our mistakes... I did aswell a long long time ago...

and yep, they still make 250w PSU's, hard to find but they somehow make it across the big pond called Pacific...

Ben

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

 

[jlockley]

This computer is still in production. Under warranty. Shame on them.