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**Rainbow** · 03-10-2006, 12:26 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Did you remove all the cards before trying again? I suspect the USB card.

**willawake** · 03-10-2006, 12:36 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

unlikely you damaged the board with static, you said you wore a wrist strap.

forget about the battery for now. i doubt it is an issue. like Rainbow said power up with only ram/cpu/graphics and see what happens. if ok then add the HDD power up and see what happens. if ok then continue doing that adding the cards one by one until you find what of the new stuff is the problem.

tell us your PSU brand and watts also what is your motherboard. How long have you used them for.

If it did get electricity from me during install of cards/HD, would that have blown any capacitors?

nope they are not affected by static, other things are

**gonzo0815** · 03-10-2006, 07:14 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Well, if you never have shut down this server, probabely the capazitors in the PSU are dried out. If old capacitors are getting cold, they change their values. If you could heat them up (hair dryer ),may be the unit will go back on duty. But be carfull, even if they wil running if they are warm, they are faulty an should be replaced. in some PSU there are only one capazitor which can ruin the whole system.

**ASUSP2B-D** · 03-10-2006, 07:59 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Thanks for responding, I sure appreciate the feedback.

Rainbow was right--the USB card was the culprit that kept the motherboard from POSTing.

I got wildly ecstatic for a moment, thinking that install of OS (Windows XP Pro) was just going like a dream and my worries (at least the really _major_ ones) were over. Then, _4 minutes_ before Microsoft was finished completing install, the system froze. I redid the whole thing, wiping clean the already partitioned brand new HD, and did a fresh install of Windows--it completed successfully; yeehaw...

Now, upon attempt to boot the system, things never get past the Windows XP Pro splash screen. It just hangs there forever. I tried booting up in Safe Mode, and to my surprise all I got on the screen was a vast list (white on black) of all the drivers (installed?) but that was it, just a list, no Start Menu appeared or graphics of any kind appeared, with no options for further steps either.

I was able to go onto ASUS's website (on a different computer) and see that they do have a little bit newer BIOS, but I also notice it is a Beta version, which makes me nervous. I have version 1013, and they last updated to Beta 1014.

Can I update the BIOS when the system won't boot up w/an OS? What about the fact it is Beta, could that be risky? Could I still have faulty caps?

As far as using this P2B-D as a server, I never have; it also does get shut off, so I don't think the last response applies, but thanks anyway for taking the time to consider my problem.

More feedback, Please!

**ASUSP2B-D** · 03-10-2006, 10:14 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Sorry I forgot to answer your questions

My motherboard is an ASUS P2B-D; I've had it for almost 6 years now, it was a custom build system. The PSU is the original from they beginning of the system build: SPI brand, Model: FSP300-60GT. As it is a dual processer board, I have two P3/500 slot 1 cpus in there.

One note: This system has not been overclocked or run "to the hilt" or even run everyday for the past (almost) 6 years. In fact, it was boxed up and put away for about 2 and a half years... to be more exact, disassembled, boxed and put away. I recently reassembled it and decided to proceed with upgrading the system w/a bigger HD, Ethernet card, DVD burner.

Thanks for the questions, and the feedback.

**kc8adu** · 03-11-2006, 04:40 AM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

check that psu for fuhjjyu caps.
see a lot of 300-60gt with these and are almost always bad.

**stretch0069** · 03-11-2006, 05:08 AM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Originally posted by ASUSP2B-D

I got wildly ecstatic for a moment, thinking that install of OS (Windows XP Pro) was just going like a dream and my worries (at least the really _major_ ones) were over. Then, _4 minutes_ before Microsoft was finished completing install, the system froze. I redid the whole thing, wiping clean the already partitioned brand new HD, and did a fresh install of Windows--it completed successfully; yeehaw...

I think this is one of those "undocumented features" of M$ products.

Now, upon attempt to boot the system, things never get past the Windows XP Pro splash screen. It just hangs there forever. I tried booting up in Safe Mode, and to my surprise all I got on the screen was a vast list (white on black) of all the drivers (installed?) but that was it, just a list, no Start Menu appeared or graphics of any kind appeared, with no options for further steps either.

I've had this happen before. It will list a whole bunch of drivers, and it hangs on one certain driver. I'm trying to think back to what I did, but CRS strikes again!!! I'm almost positive I got the answer from here, so hopefully that person will pop up with the answer.

Can I update the BIOS when the system won't boot up w/an OS?

Yep. I know for the VP6s, you have to boot up on a floppy and you do everything from there.

What about the fact it is Beta, could that be risky?

I wouldn't worry about it. Depends on what issues it adresses.

Could I still have faulty caps?

yep

One note: This system has not been overclocked or run "to the hilt" or even run everyday for the past (almost) 6 years. In fact, it was boxed up and put away for about 2 and a half years... to be more exact, disassembled, boxed and put away. I recently reassembled it and decided to proceed with upgrading the system w/a bigger HD, Ethernet card, DVD burner.

The caps can dry out from just sitting. 2½ might not be long enough, but it depends a lot on environment. I've seen it happen, but it was like 10 years.

Ya never know though. Good luck. If the members here can't tell you how to fix it, it ain't broke.

**ASUSP2B-D** · 03-11-2006, 11:12 AM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Update: I went into BIOS and selected the option to search CD second for bootup from CD, but M$ isn't allowing a straight bootup from disk (it just offers to reinstall the whole OS); maybe because it hasn't been activated yet.

Patience appears to be a factor here; I find that if I wait 2-3 minutes, the system will eventually boot up in Safe Mode. I'd like to get the system online and see if I can download the newer BIOS from ASUS; Can I do that in Safe Mode, get online and download?

Thanks all. Are we having fun yet?

**willawake** · 03-11-2006, 12:49 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

can you run http://www.memtest.org/ for a while to see if there are any ram errors.

**ASUSP2B-D** · 03-11-2006, 01:40 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

I could probably run it if I could get the system online... at this point I don't think I can use my DSL connection because of the apparent limitations of installing drivers, etc. in Safe Mode... even though I was able to install the drivers for my Ethernet card, Verizon's software is another story, as it demands the screen settings be to their specs before autolaunch will load but when I change the screen settings in Safe Mode, they don't "stick."

So right now I'm trying to get the system to where I can get it online just enough to download new BIOS and perhaps run the memory test you mention... it is rough going... I may have to install a dial-up modem and opt for a free 30-day trial just to get online if I can't go through my DSL connection that is already established.

Thanks for the input on memory. I do have quite a bit of memory in there, both processors have 512 cache and then I have 4 separate SDRAM of 128MG each.

I'll keep you posted... Thanks for your input; I need it!

**willawake** · 03-11-2006, 01:53 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

memtest is not only to check if the memory is bad but errors can on occasion give an indication that the caps are performing off spec.

it is not recommended to flash bios on a board which is not performing 100%. windows install issues indicate some problem. possible bios flash failure and dead board.

do you have available second psu to replace and see what happens.

**Rainbow** · 03-11-2006, 02:23 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

If it gets better as it warms up, there must be bad caps somewhere. That PSU is the prime candidate.

**ASUSP2B-D** · 03-11-2006, 02:27 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Originally posted by willawake

memtest is not only to check if the memory is bad but errors can on occasion give an indication that the caps are performing off spec.

it is not recommended to flash bios on a board which is not performing 100%. windows install issues indicate some problem. possible bios flash failure and dead board.

do you have available second psu to replace and see what happens.

Do you mean to say that if I try to flash BIOS and it fails I will kill the motherboard?

I will try to get it online to run memtest first, before any BIOS update, and give the results here.

As for second PSU, I do have one "somewhere" and will try to dig it up and see about hooking it up; I don't know if it is a 300 or not though, and that will make a difference. It was given to me, so I don't know how much I should trust it.

OS install difficulties: Do you think these could be related to the fact that I'm trying to install XP Pro, a pretty hefty OS? And because it is so hefty, the current BIOS is "choking"? Just a thought. My real problem came w/USB and trying to install that USB card w/no POST as a result. I had 98SE on there before, right up to the point of this new OS install, and didn't have any problems w/98SE until I tried to install a DSL Ethernet-to-USB adapter and the OS freaked out, disappearing both my optical drives! So at that point, rather than spend too much more time on 98SE, I decided to go ahead and upgrade to XP--which brings me to the current problem state.

Much appreciation for all the help!

**ASUSP2B-D** · 03-11-2006, 02:34 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Warmup: I don't know that it gets any better or worse with warmup, but I will keep an eye on it and see if I can tell the difference... also plan to lift the lid on the PSU and have a look and let you know the results...

Thanks!

**willawake** · 03-11-2006, 03:34 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Do you mean to say that if I try to flash BIOS and it fails I will kill the motherboard?

yes if the computer hang or restart during bios flash operation you will have problem.

OS install difficulties: Do you think these could be related to the fact that I'm trying to install XP Pro, a pretty hefty OS? And because it is so hefty, the current BIOS is "choking"?

no, most of the time os will install fine just run slower on old hardware. if there is an issue with your board and xp there will be a reference somewhere on the net.

Just a thought. My real problem came w/USB and trying to install that USB card w/no POST as a result.

with 98 there can be usb related probs. xp is the best os for usb support

**stretch0069** · 03-11-2006, 05:13 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Originally posted by ASUSP2B-D

Do you mean to say that if I try to flash BIOS and it fails I will kill the motherboard?

It won't kill it as in *POOF*, but you will need to either get a new BIOS chip or have someone reprogram your BIOS chip. Now.....thats if your BIOS chip is in a socket. If you BIOS chip is soldered directly to the mobo, well, I've never looked into how to fix that one.

**ASUSP2B-D** · 03-12-2006, 01:02 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Update: 1. I've (successfully, or so M$ tells me) reinstalled OS (XP Pro); still having exact same problem w/freezing on splash screen and no further activity.

2. Pulled the lid off the PSU; no bulging or leaking caps. I did notice, however, the caps are not perfectly vertical but since I have another of the same exact PSU same make, model and date (H2O damage so I can't use it to test this system), I pulled the lid on that too to compare, and the caps are all laying in the same direction, so I'm assuming this is normal in a PSU?

3. Took as good a look as possible at the caps on the board w/out actually taking the board out and getting a magnifying glass on it; don't see any bulging or leaking caps. Comparing it to the other ASUS P2B-D I have, I did notice a _very_ slight "lean" of one of the caps; it doesn't appear to be as perfectly vertical as the other cap in the same location on the other board. So I'm wondering, do you think this could be the source of my problem? I sure wish I could take a picture and post it because getting another set of eyes on it would help; I don't have any way to upload it to the Net since I can't get on the Net at present!

4. The strange part of this is that 98SE seems to be running okay on the system, except for the fact that after a USB conflict all my drives are now inaccessable in 98SE and I can't get the system to restore... So why would 98SE have no problem booting up but XP Pro can't get past the splash screen?

As for warmup factor, there doesn't appear to be any; warm or cold the machine acts the same.

If the PSU appears fine (maybe it isn't--I could get a new one and see if that makes a difference); reinstalled software doesn't correct the problem, and the only thing I'm seeing is what looks like it could be a leaning cap, the only thing left is to test the memory to rule that out... if I could get online to do it! So it could still be the PSU, or caps on the board, or software, or memory... I don't seem to be any further ahead then when I started trying to diagnose the problem!

BTW: I have never had problems w/the system suddenly deciding to reboot itself or much in the way of having the system just freeze on me out of the blue. In fact, I never really had problems with the system until now!

Okay, the fun isn't happening yet...
Feedback, PLEASE!!!

**ASUSP2B-D** · 03-12-2006, 01:22 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

Okay I'm not sure what happened; I just wrote a lengthy update and it didn't get posted.

Update: 1. The caps on the PSU appear fine; all aren't perfectly vertical--is this normal?

2. One cap on the MB appears to be _very_ slightly (as in barely) leaning. I'm wondering if this is the source of the problem? None of the caps on the board are bulging or leaking.

3. A complete reinstall of OS (XP Pro) proved completely uneventful--still exact same problem.

4. I can't test the mem untul I can get online, or find somewhere to burn an online test to disk and run it in Safe Mode.

BTW: I've never had problems w/the system rebooting by itself randomly or freezing out of nowhere for no apparent reason. Other than the USB conflict and resulting issues in 98SE, I wasn't having problems. Why would the system have no prob booting up in 98SE but not get past the splash screen in XP Pro?

Feedback, PLEASE!!!

**willawake** · 03-12-2006, 02:01 PM

Re: Trying to Determine if Bad Caps is Really The Problem

how come you are online to post here?

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