System freeze only at first (cold) start

Computer Forum General Hardware
1

Hi,

I have the following problem with my system:
Whenever I turn on my PC after it has been off for some hours it freezes during the first 5 Minutes. This usually happens shortly after log-on (on Win XP and Linux) but also if I wait for 5 Minutes in the boot menu or the bios setup. After the freeze I can restart it and everything works fine, the system is stable for hours. In rare cases I get a second freeze but always only during the first few minutes. I have already made a bios update, checked the RAM with memtest86, and bought a new PSU. Now I am running out of ideas.

System specs:

  • Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 + boxed fan
  • ASUS P5N-E SLI nForce650i
  • MDT DIMM Kit 2048MB PC2-6400U CL5 (DDR2-800)
  • PSU: be quiet! Straight Power 600W
  • Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS 320MB PCIe

Any ideas how to fix this problem?

2

Humm…

Maybe overheating?..Try to find out if the CPU fan is working properly when you get a freeze. Probably it has any problem and works fine sometimes and sometimes not.

3

I checked the CPU temp in the bios setup and it never went above 55°C.

4

I have tested some more and found out that the following circumvents the problem:
If I make a cold start, wait for the boot menu and then press “reset” everything works fine afterwards.
Very strange.

5

Hi

I know its a little bit late but…how is the thing doing?..
If it keeps freezing try to clear the CMOS.

GL

6

I see you have a dual boot system, Did it do this on a single boot as well?
What boot manage are you using? Most boot problems are from either
video adapter or the ram..

7

Hi!

Thanks for your posts, allendehl and Ghostman 1!

The problem still persists. I usually wait in the BIOS setup or in the boot manager (grub) menu for the first freeze, then press the reset button and from that point on everything works fine. I have tried resetting the BIOS to the default values but I haven’t tried clearing the CMOS by using the jumper yet. I’ll try that.

Concerning single/dual booting: Since the freeze also occurs before the boot manager is started (e.g., when waiting in the BIOS setup), I don’t think it’s related to that.

I have checked the RAM with memtest86 and it passed flawlessly. And the video adapter? Hm, I would need another video adapter to test that. I’ll see if I can get my hands on any non-AGP adapter.

8

Can you tell me if it did this before installing linux ? Or has it always done this ?

9

The freeze occurs regardless whatever OS/Software I run, even if I enter the BIOS setup before any boot manager is started and wait there. It is definitely a hardware problem.

10

After some days absence from home I tried clearing the CMOS as you suggested (using the jumper on the mainboard). I started the system afterwards, entered the BIOS setup to adjust the settings, and after about one minute: freeze. And as usual: Reboot => everything works fine.

Exchanging the graphics adapter did not help either.