Computer Problem!

[MrHat]

Help!

I went to use my shuttle yesterday to install NWN2 and it wouldn't boot up.  I would get to the POST screen (think that is what it's called, the screen where you can push Del to enter setup, or esc to enter boot load) and not go any further.  When I try to enter the bios, I hit Del and it doesn't go further than "Entering Setup.."

All the fans are spinning, it has power, and it's not frozen, I can still CTRL-ALT-DEL to restart.  However, it won't boot off the restore disc either.

What's going on?

Checking google, it might be the CMOS battery, it might be a harddrive error, or it might be the power supply.

Just wondering if anyone had a particular idea for me to try when I get home tonight.

[Trippy]

Disconnect as much as possible -- hard drive, DVD drive, video card (if it also has built-in video), etc. and try entering setup again.

[schild]

Shuttle eh, I think that same thing happened to me not too long ago. The tiny power supply in it was on its last legs. Only on mine, the fans wouldn't turn on either (though other things would).

[Yegolev]

If you still have trouble after stripping it down, remove all but one DIMM as well.  If it persists, try another DIMM.  I assume you have more than one.

[MrHat]

Thanks, I'll try this tonight and let you know when I get back from NYC.

I just wanted to make a monk...

Edit: One of the techies at work suggested resetting/replacing the cmos battery first, then trying all that stuff afterwards.

Edit2:  I vaguely remember getting a power spike in my house a month ago, and the shuttle reported a hdd failure message, hadn't given it much thought since I got caught up with life.

[sinij]

Likely cause is that motherboard is not functioning properly. Before you replace it try following:

Remove battery, short battery terminals to drain residual charges then put it back in after few monutes
Power supply - disconnect power from everything but your motherboard and video card and see if you can enter bios settings page
Unplug then plug back your motherboard power connectors
Press firmly on RAM to make sure it not worked loose
If you have one available, try other power supply

Good luck.

BTW did NVN2 already released?

[Miasma]

Doing any of this stuff inside of one of those small shuttle cases is going to be pretty difficult, if you aren't comfortable with hardware you might want to have someone else look at it.  On the upside, since it's a shuttle, you could fit it in your backpack.

[geldonyetich]

BTW did NVN2 already released?

It hit the stores yesterday, but is already sold out.

I'm pondering getting the Direct2Drive copy, but I understand it may actually somehow possess greater compatibility issues due to lack of copy protection routines.  That's odd, usually it's the other way around.

[sinij]

It hit the stores yesterday, but is already sold out.

Thanks for the info, probably saved me wasted trip to local Cesspit of Filth aka EB aka would you like to buy useless crap along with your purchase.

How come nobody posted NWN2 into Game Releases board? Lazy fucks.

[MrHat]

Just an update:

I took the CMOS battery out (fuck that was a pain to get too), and let it sit for 1/2 hour, then shorted the battery terminals on the board, plugged it back up, turned it on and seems to be working now.

Would that be the end of the problem? Or did I just put a bandaid on a sawed off leg?

[Strazos]

Give it time, see what happens. Also, what kind of Mobo/PSU are you using, and what is their approximate age?

[MrHat]

Bitch is still freezing (although, NWN2 is not the best test candiate, buggy piece it is), sigh, out of time for today to play around with it, I'll buy a new CMOS battery tomorrow and plug that in and see.

I can't find my manual anywhere, and when I opened my case, I couldn't read anything without dismantling (shuttle), but it's got a 350W PSU and a mobo that supports the Athalon 4000+.

2GB of ram, 2 150GB Sata drives, and an X800GT 256MB gfx card.

[Engels]

Becha anything its your PSU. 350s a little slim for that rig, and the low wattage suggests they also probably skimped on the PSU's quality.

[MrHat]

Becha anything its your PSU. 350s a little slim for that rig, and the low wattage suggests they also probably skimped on the PSU's quality.

Ya, but it's custom, won't find it anywhere but special order.

It's this system, except I got it new for like $480.  The PSU is a 350W, but it's a strange form factor.  Where would I get one if that's the problem?

Edit: I can get it to work by resetting the CMOS, but everytime it crashes, I have to do the same thing.  Going to leave it on overnight and see what happens, or maybe load another GFX intensive game to see if I am pulling too much wattage and hence the PSU being shit shit shit.

[Engels]

Did you do the test Trippy suggested in his first post? The symptoms you describe could be so many other things as well; check to see how the game runs on one stick of ram, for instance. Also see if you can put an old video card you have lying around.

 Have you checked with Shuttle to see if they'll sell you a PSU by itself?

[MrHat]

Welp, all the components are fine, so that leaves the PSU, mobo, or overheating (which it could be).

How good are manufacturer's warranties?  I think I still have 7 months left.

[Strazos]

Varies greatly with manufacturers. You should first try putting considerable load on the system, then checking the temp. Reboot and check in BIOS if you have to. Then try a new PSU. And then, if you still don't have a solution, hope it's still not the mobo.

[MrHat]

Well, I checked my shuttle into bestbuy today.

They're sending it out because of the manufacturer's warranty.

I didn't realize till I got home that since I got such a great deal on it ($550), I could probably scrap the parts for more than $550.  Hope they don't junk it out.

[Yegolev]

Shuttle?  Keke.