Slow PC start - even to Bios

SandLake

MSI A88XM-E35

I'm planning to get back to it this afternoon

Thanks

Nilrem

I think the fact that it doesn't support ECC (according to the manufactures specifications, and not surprising on a board that costs £40) may or may not be an issue.

But it almost certainly means you spent a fair bit more on memory than you needed to (as the ECC functions won't be used)

[url=http://www.msi.com/product/mb/A88XM-E35.html#hero-specification]MSI[/url] wrote:

Main Memory

• 2 x DDR3 memory slots supporting up to 32GB
• Supports DDR3 1333/ 1600/ 1866/ 2133*(*OC) MHz
• Dual channel memory architecture
• Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
• Supports AMD Memory Profile (AMP)
• Supports Extreme Memory Profile (XMP

SandLake

I accepted from the outset that I had made a mistake - I'm not complaining I came on here for some help in resolving an issue with the hardware I had - that's all - sorry if I offended you.

I believe that the motherboard is the culprit - I now have to decide what the way forward is - more good money after bad or start again!

Thanks all for the input

Nilrem

Have you run memory diagnostics on the board with the ram in it yet?

If not go to download an iso and burn a CDR/DVDR with the latest version (or download the memorystick version if you don't have a cd/dvd drive in the machine), boot from that and run the memory tests (it may take overnight to do thoroughly*).
Then run the hard drive tests.
That should rule out two of the most likely causes.



*Although normally unless you're running huge amounts of ram if there is a problem with the ram it'll find it within an hour or so on the first full pass (the reason to run over night is to let it check repeatedly as if the system was under heavy sustained load).

SandLake

Thanks for that but the PC has become unusable so I cannot run any tests on it now.

There are 2 power connectors on the motherboard, the larger 24 pin connector is fine but the smaller 4 pin CPU power connector seems to be a problem, with it connected the system powers up momentarily (the fans spin) and then shuts itself down. Removing/replacing the battery and power connectors allows the fans to spin again. I have checked and the 4 pin connector is giving a steady 12v.

I think the motherboard is on it's way out!

Big_Graeme

Replace the PSU and use the right RAM. BEFORE you even think about replacing the motherboard.