A machine that has worked reliably since it was built has gone pear shaped on me.

It beeps
Video is working.
Identifies processor
Memory test
Award plug & play Bios extension v1.0a
Initalize Plug & play cards
PNP Init Completed.
& Hangs


There hadn't been any work or changes made to it before this happened.

I can't access setup by pressing the Del key either.
I removed the battery and refitted it.

Mobo is Asus A7v8x-x
AMD 2400+
512mb memory

This machine was the one I used for Internet use (separate machine for work). I removed the HD and set it up as a secondary drive in another machine. I can access the data on the drive.

Any ideas what it could be, or is it recycle time?
TIA

I removed the battery and refitted it.
Try a new one. They generally only last a few years, after that they can cause issues. Also try clearing the CMOS by pulling the battery for a minimum of 10 minutes with the power cable unplugged from the wall. Note that this will reset any custom BIOS settings, so make note of any settings you have made.

If that doesn't help, try a bare bones boot. Mobo, video/monitor, 1 stick ram, and CPU. Everything else unhooked. If it can POST successfully add the other components in one at a time until it won't boot and you have your culprit.

If no go with a bare bones try the other stick og ram if you have more than one, and/or try the other ram slot/s.

Test power supply.

Thanks jlreich, apologies for the late reply. Unfortunately computer problem solving has fallen down the list of jobs to do, especially with Christmas approaching.
The machine has been replace but it would be nice to get it going again.
I did try a barebone setup in the case, just disconnected the drives and floopy, same result.
I will try replacing the battery, (I'll ask Santa for one rather than a lump of coal) otherwise I will strip the mobo from the case and try a barebones setup then.

What are the symptoms of a bios chip failure? Could my problem be related to the chip?.............. Just a thought.

Looks like this is going to be a christmas holiday project anyhow.

Merry Christmas to all and I wish you a PC trouble free New Year.

Thanks

This is a Christmas project........ a year later though :rolleyes:

MB is stripped out of the case, with a different stick of memory, PSU and graphic card. Changed the battery and reset.
Still no change...
Initalize Plug & play cards
PNP Init Completed.
& Hangs

It won't allow me to enter Bios setup either.

Anything else that I should try or should it go for recycling this time?

TIA

Look for any bulging or leaking capacitors...

Thanks for the reply mjc.
I read the sticky after posting, something to check for sure.
Nothing striking visible but will give them a closer look tomorrow.
Cheers.

Remember to "Force update the ESCD" [this is also done as a by-product of a reset to BIOS defaults] after each time you change the arrangement of connected PCI hardware...
Only then should you attempt to continue with the POST etc.

A little late but thanks for the reply Sylvander.
I presume you "Force update the ESCD" in the bios setup. I can't access this, as it's hanging after "PNP Init Completed."
I had a look at the caps but they appear to be OK.

I think at this stage it will go for the recycle pile, it had enough chances and refuses to play ball. I have a more pressing issue with a dead external HDD unit but that's another post.
Thanks for your help with this.

1. "I presume you "Force update the ESCD" in the bios setup"
(a) Normally you would...
But resetting the BIOS's default configurations will also do that [has the same effect]...
And removing the CMOS battery will make the BIOS use the default configurations.
Then, IF/when you wish to make and save changes to those default settings you must fit a new/good CMOS battery.

The above can be done without going in to the BIOS Setup.

(b) What I'm unsure about is how to use the above method to REPEATEDLY reset each time the PCI hardware is changed.
After all, you can only remove the battery [and leave it out] just the once. :confused:
Perhaps it would be necessary to fit a battery and remove...and again fit a battery and remove.
Or else use the CMOS reset jumper on the board [with a good battery fitted].

Can you load your OS and do a repair job?

wrong kind of problem Hacker, if the person can't get to the bios, the person can't get into another operating system.

I've seen this once on my own machine with hardware not fitting right, specifically the graphics card, but I can assume that it can be done with anything... I would re-seat the RAM, and maybe pull the graphics card if your motherboard has an on-board one. If it doesn't, try re-seating the graphics card.

i meant can he format?

if it is hardware, formating won't help. if it is software, there may be faster ways of fixing the problem.

another thing that can be checked is if the same problem exists in a live instance of linux, like Ubuntu, ran from the disk.