Computer Problem

[vibrato]

I just wanted anyones and everyones experience with such problems in general.

I have an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 Ghz machine with ASUS P5K - Deluxe/Wi-fi AP Motherboard, Corsair Value Select 667 Mhz 8 GB RAM, 500 Watt Cooler Master Power Supply and 5 Hard Drives on SATA controllers, with one DVD Writer.

Now - since the past 3-4 months - I started having this weird problem. I started getting CheckSum bad errors. Machine is around 11 months old. First 6 months were fine. Later I started having these Check sum bad errors on start up. I would press F2 - change date and continue. I thought, just a small error.

Then, weird thing started happening. Every time I push the power button - The Machine would keep restarting even before it reaches the BIOS load process. Basically - fans would spin for 2 seconds - then stop for 1 second - then spin for 2 seconds - then stop and so on and so forth - I cleared CMOS - replaced battery - everything. But this was just random.

I tried another set of RAM sticks - unplugged my drives one at a time - Changed Power Supply - Same problem.

Then finally - I tried to update the BIOS one day - and it failed. Then the machine would not start - it would just keep restarting as mentioned above. So I sent the motherboard to ASUS. They said - its working fine over there now - the fixed it or something. It comes back - works fine for 2 starts - then again next day - the same thing starts happening.

Now I am getting a new replacement board from them - P5K Premium.

Here is my question:

Could this be a VIRUS? Is it possible - there is some BIOS corrupting Virus in my hard drives - that destroys the BIOS chip or something like that?

I am worried - that I will put the new motherboard - and it will just suffer the same fate.

However - even with this problem - when the machine was working - I have done full projects with 6 GB Loaded and lots of intense work. So I dont know if it really is a virus.

I just want to clarify this issue. I dont think it can be anything else other than a bad motherboard.

Now here is the TRICKY PART:

I have an indentical set up - with the SAME P5K - Deluxe motherboard: THAT IS ALSO DOING THE SAME THING AND IS NOW DEAD!!!! Apparently, the power supply on that one is also not working!!! My work is HEAVILY suffering....please help!

Any ideas????????

I just want to rule out Virus. I have Nord 32 installed - fully updated.

Thanks.

Best,
Tanuj.

[fcw]

Fair enough.

Have you tried changing the battery on the motherboard? (It's a 2032-type button cell by the PCI-X slots.)

[cm]

 i have heard reports that certain series of asus P5 boards are faulty ... rebooting before the BIOS screen appears is either memory, (not very probable with corsair) a processor heat issue or .. a faulty board ...

hth, christian

[cm]

@vibrato said:

Processor is ... heating straight upto 70 degrees on 40% usage in Cubase

double check if your cooler sits properly on the processor and enough but not too much contact pastry is betweem ... a processor should not get hotter than 65°C to avoid damage.

 

if your harddrives get too hot rethink the airflow in your case.

a harddrive not beeing compatible with 64bit OS is nonsense - the quadra exhibits just a USB/FW/sATA connector to the system, no drivers for controllers are needed (as it would for internal raid controllers) ... i'd prefer internal sATA drives though ...

christian

 

ps: also cubase 4 has not oficially been supported on XP64, but works and from what i know also cubase 5 does ... i can fully understand little enthusiasm for vista since we really don't need 90% of its whistles and bells ...