Legit Reviews

I have a new system with the following:

Intel DQ965GF Motherboard
Core 2 Duo E6700 Processpr
4 Gb Ram in Dual Channel Mode @ 800MHz
Windows XP Pro SP2 Operating System
Latest Bios and Drivers from Intel

I'm having to boot twice to get the computer to run with an initial lockup. If I boot from a power off condition, the computer will lock up after about 6-8 mouse clicks. After the second boot, the computer will run all day without another lock up problem. I have discovered that if I do a manual reset before the operating system loads, but after the "go into the bios" prompt screen, all is well, so I don't think this is an operating system problem. It only does this after being powered completely down, and does not seem temperature related. All power supply voltages seem OK.

Has anyone here seen a simular problem?

Thanks!

could be a bad windows install, could be memory. Run memtest (google it, burns to a cd and it runs off a cd). if you come up with memory errors it could be that. Are you overclocked?

Could be a fubar'ed motherboard too.

Make sure you are going to use Memtest86+ 1.7v from http://www.memtest.org/ I would ensure the RAM is getting the proper voltage. If you have a fine enough option I might try nudging the RAM voltage +0.05v higher than spec just because you are using four sticks and see if that changes anything. If it was a bad motherboard then it shouldn't be working on the 2nd boot every time.

I've completely changed out the RAM and it didn't make any difference. I don't think this is a windows issue. If I push the reset button right before windows starts to load, windows never has a problem. It appears something related to the power up of the motherboard.

I have run memtest for hours and it never finds any problem, even before I replaced the RAM. I never have this problem except after a power up. A normal restart works fine, and never have a problem after the initial "double boot."

I don't think there is any way to adjust the memory voltage on this motherboard. At least, if there is a way, I don't know how to do it.

mrdbdigital wrote:I've completely changed out the RAM and it didn't make any difference. I don't think this is a windows issue. If I push the reset button right before windows starts to load, windows never has a problem. It appears something related to the power up of the motherboard.

It is related to the power up of the motherboard, typically by one of 2 things.

1 - PSU power up voltage slew rate is out of specification, voltage levels were yet valid within the time allow specified - very rarely happen but for the case of underated PSUs or defectives for the job.

2 - Mobo hardwired power up valid levels detection defective, the mobo didn't detect proper voltage levels and didn't wait for valid power state before going further - much more common than the one above, usually due to improper/wrong component value(s) used in the hardwired power up section on the mobo.

Work arounds

- Forcing mobo BIOS to perform full POST instead of quick, slowing down booting until proper power level established.

- Add a small capacitor across the reset button, forcing the mobo to stay in reset mode longer until power level is proper.

- "I push the reset button" to restart the mobo with power in proper valid state during power up.