Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
normally follows this did not display anything.

I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.

Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

Milan wrote:
> A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
> displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
> normally follows this did not display anything.
>
> I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
> error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
> Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>
> Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?

bad nvram?

bad (as opposed to missing) memory?

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che...@prodigy.net.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

Then why didn't the BIOS say that it failed.

Is the NVRAM the CMOS.


CJT wrote:
> Milan wrote:
>
>> A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
>> displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
>> normally follows this did not display anything.
>>
>> I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
>> error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
>> Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>>
>> Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?
>
>
> bad nvram?
>
> bad (as opposed to missing) memory?
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

Milan wrote:
> Then why didn't the BIOS say that it failed.
>
I don't know.

> Is the NVRAM the CMOS.
>
No, the NVRAM is the NVRAM and the CMOS is the CMOS.
>
> CJT wrote:
>
>> Milan wrote:
>>
>>> A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
>>> displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
>>> normally follows this did not display anything.
>>>
>>> I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
>>> error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
>>> Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>>>
>>> Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?
>>
>>
>>
>> bad nvram?
>>
>> bad (as opposed to missing) memory?
>>


--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che...@prodigy.net.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

Try resetting CMOS. There are some shortcomings with the AMI BIOS that
give inexplicable problems. For example, if you change the hardware
setup (add/remove boards), checksum errors can crop up with the k7s5a.

--
Best regards,
Kyle
"Milan" <milan.fait@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:Mzi5d.31557$bL1.1617446@news20.bellglobal.com...
| A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
| displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
| normally follows this did not display anything.
|
| I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
| error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
| Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
|
| Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

Do you even know what NVRAM stands for.

CJT wrote:
> Milan wrote:
>
>> Then why didn't the BIOS say that it failed.
>>
> I don't know.
>
>> Is the NVRAM the CMOS.
>>
> No, the NVRAM is the NVRAM and the CMOS is the CMOS.
>
>>
>> CJT wrote:
>>
>>> Milan wrote:
>>>
>>>> A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
>>>> displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
>>>> normally follows this did not display anything.
>>>>
>>>> I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
>>>> error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
>>>> Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> bad nvram?
>>>
>>> bad (as opposed to missing) memory?
>>>
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

We tried that. Didn't work.

Unplugging HDD, FDD, keyboard and mouse didn't help, so the problem is
not with any of these.

Took out friend's DRAM and used a known working extra module from my
computer. That didn't help either. Seems like the problem is with one
of the onboard devices. So it's starting to look like he needs to
replace his motherboard.


Kylesb wrote:

> Try resetting CMOS. There are some shortcomings with the AMI BIOS that
> give inexplicable problems. For example, if you change the hardware
> setup (add/remove boards), checksum errors can crop up with the k7s5a.
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

"Milan" <milan.fait@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:Mzi5d.31557$bL1.1617446@news20.bellglobal.com...
> A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
> displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
> normally follows this did not display anything.
>
> I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
> error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
> Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>
> Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?
---
Could be the power supply isn't good enough to get everything going. Cold
boots are the most demanding because all your hardware gets started up and
readied for use. K7S5A is very picky about lots of quality power. Also,
using 2 sticks of SDRAM can cause problems. Try using one stick or switch to
DDR. If he's using a generic 300W or less power supply, that's likely the
problem.

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

"Milan" <milan.fait@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:Mzi5d.31557$bL1.1617446@news20.bellglobal.com...
> A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
> displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
> normally follows this did not display anything.
>
> I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
> error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
> Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>
> Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?

Look again with Google for what NVRam is. Perhaps you may get a good
suggestion.
I don't believe that NVRam has anything to do with SDram or System
Ram.
I put "checking nvram" in the search box in Google (including the "
marks) and here was one part of many hits:

http://www.computing.net/os2/wwwboard/forum/867.html

"I had this same problem today actually. But it was resolved fairly
quick. If you have any extra USB on your Motherboard, unplug them from
the motherboard. If they are plugged in wrong, it will halt on that
same spot."

There is more if you want to search.
Buffalo

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

It's a good brand (forget brand) 350W supply that has been working for
over 6 months. Besides the mobo, all he has plugged in is a low end
(not power hungry) video card and only one 256M DDR stick.


Smoker wrote:
> "Milan" <milan.fait@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:Mzi5d.31557$bL1.1617446@news20.bellglobal.com...
>
>>A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
>>displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
>>normally follows this did not display anything.
>>
>>I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
>>error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
>>Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>>
>>Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?
>
> ---
> Could be the power supply isn't good enough to get everything going. Cold
> boots are the most demanding because all your hardware gets started up and
> readied for use. K7S5A is very picky about lots of quality power. Also,
> using 2 sticks of SDRAM can cause problems. Try using one stick or switch to
> DDR. If he's using a generic 300W or less power supply, that's likely the
> problem.
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

I already did the google search and tried most of the suggested things.

He doesn't use the motherboard USB (I don't think this one has any
directly on the motherboard). He does use one on the back for the
printer, but the cable is keyed so it can't be plugged in backwards. I
suggested he unplug the printer and try to boot the computer. I will
post a follow if as to whether or not this works.


Buffalo wrote:

> "Milan" <milan.fait@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:Mzi5d.31557$bL1.1617446@news20.bellglobal.com...
>
>>A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
>>displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
>>normally follows this did not display anything.
>>
>>I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
>>error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
>>Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>>
>>Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?
>
>
> Look again with Google for what NVRam is. Perhaps you may get a good
> suggestion.
> I don't believe that NVRam has anything to do with SDram or System
> Ram.
> I put "checking nvram" in the search box in Google (including the "
> marks) and here was one part of many hits:
>
> http://www.computing.net/os2/wwwboard/forum/867.html
>
> "I had this same problem today actually. But it was resolved fairly
> quick. If you have any extra USB on your Motherboard, unplug them from
> the motherboard. If they are plugged in wrong, it will halt on that
> same spot."
>
> There is more if you want to search.
> Buffalo
>
>
>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

Unplugging the printer seemed to solve the problem.

He had been having some trouble with the printer and I guess that it got
sick (is probably dead) enough to screw up the USB.

I suggested he buy a new printer.


Milan wrote:
> I already did the google search and tried most of the suggested things.
>
> He doesn't use the motherboard USB (I don't think this one has any
> directly on the motherboard). He does use one on the back for the
> printer, but the cable is keyed so it can't be plugged in backwards. I
> suggested he unplug the printer and try to boot the computer. I will
> post a follow if as to whether or not this works.
>
>
> Buffalo wrote:
>
>> "Milan" <milan.fait@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
>> news:Mzi5d.31557$bL1.1617446@news20.bellglobal.com...
>>
>>> A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
>>> displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
>>> normally follows this did not display anything.
>>>
>>> I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
>>> error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
>>> Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
>>>
>>> Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?
>>
>>
>>
>> Look again with Google for what NVRam is. Perhaps you may get a good
>> suggestion.
>> I don't believe that NVRam has anything to do with SDram or System
>> Ram.
>> I put "checking nvram" in the search box in Google (including the "
>> marks) and here was one part of many hits:
>>
>> http://www.computing.net/os2/wwwboard/forum/867.html
>>
>> "I had this same problem today actually. But it was resolved fairly
>> quick. If you have any extra USB on your Motherboard, unplug them from
>> the motherboard. If they are plugged in wrong, it will halt on that
>> same spot."
>>
>> There is more if you want to search.
>> Buffalo
>>

Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.elitegroup (More info?)

I had a very similar situation a while back... went through the book trying
to figure why I could not get past a splash screen. I even did Repair
Installs that only resulted in the same boot issues a day or week down the
road. I finally ended up using one of my two lifetime freebies with
Microsoft support and the first thing the guy asked was 'is this an HP
Printer?' 'Yes.' 'Unplug it.' Away we went.

He said that it is very common for the printers to cause issues with the USB
and he wished that they would put that solution near the top of the deck.

I caused some file corruptions when I went through this, so... you may want
to be prepared for the same?



YMMV


"Milan" <milan.fait@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:9NI6d.16625$tT2.1184803@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Unplugging the printer seemed to solve the problem.
>
> He had been having some trouble with the printer and I guess that it got
> sick (is probably dead) enough to screw up the USB.
>
> I suggested he buy a new printer.
>
>
> Milan wrote:
> > I already did the google search and tried most of the suggested things.
> >
> > He doesn't use the motherboard USB (I don't think this one has any
> > directly on the motherboard). He does use one on the back for the
> > printer, but the cable is keyed so it can't be plugged in backwards. I
> > suggested he unplug the printer and try to boot the computer. I will
> > post a follow if as to whether or not this works.
> >
> >
> > Buffalo wrote:
> >
> >> "Milan" <milan.fait@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> >> news:Mzi5d.31557$bL1.1617446@news20.bellglobal.com...
> >>
> >>> A friend has a K7S5A pro motherboard that hangs during a boot after
> >>> displaying "Checking NVRAM" on the monitor. The memory test that
> >>> normally follows this did not display anything.
> >>>
> >>> I have a K7S5A and took out my memory to see if I would get the same
> >>> error. The BIOS did not output anything at all to the monitor.
> >>> Therefore I don't think that it's bad memory.
> >>>
> >>> Any ideas what would cause the BIOS to hang here?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Look again with Google for what NVRam is. Perhaps you may get a good
> >> suggestion.
> >> I don't believe that NVRam has anything to do with SDram or System
> >> Ram.
> >> I put "checking nvram" in the search box in Google (including the "
> >> marks) and here was one part of many hits:
> >>
> >> http://www.computing.net/os2/wwwboard/forum/867.html
> >>
> >> "I had this same problem today actually. But it was resolved fairly
> >> quick. If you have any extra USB on your Motherboard, unplug them from
> >> the motherboard. If they are plugged in wrong, it will halt on that
> >> same spot."
> >>
> >> There is more if you want to search.
> >> Buffalo
> >>