Computer keeps booting to CMOS?

Question

I have been building computers for years. And today my hubby's computer keeps rebooting to the CMOS. I have never had this happen before and I am at a loss to understand what is happening or how to correct the problem. I did check the CMOS to make sure it is seeing the Hard Drives, which it is. I also check to make sure the booting sequence is starting with HDD 0 then to the CDROM. Everything looks ok in the CMOS, but I can't get it to boot to anything other then going into the CMOS.

Does anyone know why this is happening and what I can do to correct this problem.

I have known that recently the computer has been shutting down and powering off, or sometimes it will just go into a reboot on its own. I had a feeling it might be because it was over heating. When I built the computer for him I had it set in the CMOS to shut down when the temp reached 160 degrees to protect the CPU and Motherboard from being damaged.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Sapphyre

Wow! so far I have seen some very good answers to this problem, some I had not even thought of. I think I will try to change the shut of temp down to 140. When I get home from work I will try working on his computer with some of the advise I have read and see if I can get it working normally again.
Thanks for all the great input please keep it coming, I really need to get his computer fixed because this problem is driving me nuts. I love problem solving on computers but this one really has me floored. So far there hasn't been anything I can't fix when it comes to hardware issues. But I just could decide if this was a hardware or software issue.

Answer 1

Keep it simple. Don't forget to check for a stuck key on the keyboard. (Whichever one fires up BIOS.)

Good luck.

Answer 2

Sounds like the CPU is protected but the motherboard has a problem. Probably the Flash is having a problem. Can you boot from a CD or Floppy? If you can boot from a floppy then you can burn the latest flash code to the motherboard. Take another computer and download the latest flash from the maker of the motherboard and then setup DRDOS or other DOS OS to boot from floppy. Then put the flash burning program and new flash code on the floppy. A new flash should fix your problem. Many flash devices have data retention problems when subjected to heat over long periods of time. Motherboard makers will cut corners by buying low rated performance chips to save cost. Many semiconductor companies have what is refereed as the "Radio Shack" bin. This is parts that they would have thrown away because they did not meet minimum performance specifications, but instead if they worked at room temp at any speed, they were sold to Radio Shack & others for a fraction of the price for parts that did meet spec.

Answer 3

Since, you have already checked that CMOS access the Disks and other stuff, following works you have a PC speaker connected (that 8 ohm single speaker inside the box).

To find out what is causing the problem I would first disconnect all the device (meaning your display card, LAN card, wireless card (if any) ram, hdd and cdrom etc) and then connect them one by one starting with RAM.

When you start your computer your speaker should make specific tones that would tell you that the motherboard is missing specific components (if its making continuous sounds at this point this may mean that RAM is the culprit) or if its just couple of beeps then its display card is missing). Switch off and connect display card. switch on again. See if CMOS remains stable and is trying to seek the HDD and it should give an error as its not able to access the HDD.

Switch off again and then connect the hard-disk power cable and data cable.

Switch on again and keep repeating till the culprit device is found.
if nothing works then as a last resort you can flash your CMOS.

happy hunting..

Hope this helps you.

Answer 4

Try updating your BIOS, it imght solve the problem with the booting. If you dont have any problems with your hard drive, then it might be your CMOS battery. Does the time setting on your computer get messed up at all?

Instead of selecting the proper cpu speed from its drop down menu in the BIOS, try using the manual option.

Edit: If problem persists, then you can contact me through my profile and I can try to help further. I think its more of a software issue where you just need to update your BIOS, but it might be hard for you since you cant even get to your windows. If you have another computer access, try downloading an updated BIOS on a disk and then you can try to install it in DOS Mode.

I dont think the fan is an issue because you never mentioned anyything about it overheating. I think its more of an overlocking problem.

Answer 5

um, a problem might not be the hardware, but the software.
Your Windows/Linux/Apple software like Windows XP might have been deleted.
Temps could be
160 is pretty dangerous for the CPU
but if the motherboard is reaching 160, it doesn't really matter
the chip can handle some extreme temps

Answer 6

This has happened to me before. In this case it was a short. Try re-seating the motherboard ensuring that there is no debris or such when mounted. If not this, it is likely that there is a fault with the mboard itself in which case replacement is the only answer.

Answer 7

Like Shawn, my guess is that something went kaputs in your BIOS and once you update it, hopefully this problem won't happen. However, if it does continue it may suggest a fault or some sort of a problem in the motherboard.

Answer 8

I think it is overheating. Install some additional case fans to correct the problem. Or just clean the dust of the components.

Remember compressed air!

Answer 9

when its in the boot process after the post start tapping the space bar
youll get a list of choices
choose last known good configuration

Answer 10

may be one of the following reason.
1)harddisk is not get detected in bios.
2)Problem with os. install it again.
3)signs of motherboard failure due to overheating.