Boot prob's

[peruney]

Hi to all, First the spec's ; Sony VAIO J120<>ME<> 20GHDD<>256Memory. My problem is when I startup my rig boots into bios. I cannot find what causes this. I have 4 screenshots that will explain but I dont know how to post them.
Also when I go to MSN (my ISP) the home page sometimes freezes and wont load. I manualy boot and retry.Most times it does OK. Please inform me how to post the screen shots and a shot of Belarc Adviser here so all can see the information.
My BIOS is Award Medalion v6.0.
Thanks in advance, peruney:uhoh:
Hey MAX this better.

[Alfons]

I'm not sure I know what you mean by your description. I've never seen a machine that ends up in the BIOS Setup on a boot. The BIOS is used to give the machine it's initial personality, then it goes into the Power On Self Test phase followed by a handover to any operating system that it finds based upon the startup boot sequence.

I also don't understand the phrase "manually booting", could you please clarify.

[peruney]

Hi Alfons and thanks for answering, The term definition is I turn it off and then back on. When it boots up this is my screen ;
Award Medallion Bios v6.0

ACPI BIOS Revision 4001

Award Plug and Play BIOS Extension v10A
Initialize Plug and Play Cards
PNP Init Completed

Trend ChipwayVirus(R) On Guard

Detecting Primary Master--- ST32O423A
Detecting primary Slave --- None
Detecting Secondary Master---CR-4804TE
Detecting Secondary Slave---None

Hardware Monitor found an error. enter power setup menu for details.

Press F1 to continue, F2 to enter setup.
08/17/2000-i810- MEW-AV

When I hit F1 it boots and works OK.

If I knew how I would post a copy of it.

Thanks peruney

[tb525]

Hardware Monitor found an error. enter power setup menu for details.

Two things that normaly cause this error, The first would be a bad CPU fan. Check it to make sure it's working.
The second would be a PSU going bad. Press F2 when you boot and go into the power setup menu, Check the hardware monitor errors.
The voltage monitors on the Power Management screen should have the required voltage (i.e. +5V, -12V) in parentheses, and the actual voltage detected beside that. If the detected voltage is 1V off or more, there's a problem.

[Alfons]

Hi peruney, I'm not sure how old your system is, but the older systems (AT) didn't have the "Keep-warm" power as provided in the ATX unit so when you turn off your power in the older system, there's nothing (no power) going to the MB. Therefore, if your battery is very low or dead, you'll get this message because it's lost all your changed CMOS settings and has loaded the Default causing a checksum error. I'd recommend changing the battery and then resetting the BIOS the way you want it and everything should be back to a "Normal" Boot.

[peruney]

Gmornin Alfons, It is 7AM here in Fl. My rig will be 2 yrs old in Dec.
It is possible my battery is going out but the CPU fan is new.
Here is my PSU as it showed;
MB Temperature 208 C / 65482 F
CPU Temperature 73 C/ 163 F
CPU fan speed (Ignore) (is doing fine)
Chassis Fan Speed N/A

VCORE Voltage 1.6V
+3.3V Voltage 3.3V
+5V Voltage 5.0V
+12V Voltage 11.9V
-12V Voltage -12.2V
-5V Voltage -12.0V ( the 12.0V is in red letters)

I dont understand why my MB reading is so high it dont seem to be. According to that temp it is boiling hot.
:confused: peruney

BTW Sony VAIO J120 ME P3 700MGHZ new 12/9/01

[peruney]

Hi Alfons and tb525, Here is an update. It is 10:52 Am here and I just replaced the battery and booted up.
No change to anything. I tried load default settings (F5) and reboot but nothing changed. This is frustrating!!
:( :no: OH well. Whadaidonow.
peruney

[gstone4911]

Hi peruny

Did this problem start before installing the new fan or after?

[peruney]

Hi gstone4911, I installed a new fan bout 4 weeks back and a new one today plus a new battery. The prob started right after I removed one of the memory boards to check it for replacement with a larger one. I put the same one back in the same slot.
When I booted up it started. What could have happened??
:confused: peruney

[Alfons]

You might want to re-seat that stick of RAM - they're generally hard to insert, so it may not be properly seated. Make sure that you unplug the computer & take precautions relating to static.

[peruney]

Hi Alfons, I just did a swop of the boards and on bootup only diff
is now it is giving me a readout of MGHZ and memory.
All else is the same. Memory reading is correct and was before the swop. I went here http://www.wimsbios.com/ and found my
BIOS version. Also I found I got an ASUS MB. If my chip is going bad I can order one for $25. (i810) Gotta get someone to hold my hand. (it's shakin)( LOL). Anyway I am still LOST.
Thanks peruney:confused:

[Alfons]

Hi peruney, I'd like to get back to some values that you had posted earlier:

MB Temperature 208 C / 65482 F
CPU Temperature 73 C/ 163 F
and
-5V Voltage -12.0V ( the 12.0V is in red letters)

That -5volt output being up (or down) to -12 volts could be a big problem and would point at your Power Supply being bad. If it really is this far out of wack, I don't see how your MB is still operating properly. Is it possible to for you to get another PS to test your system with?

The displayed temps could also have something to do with the odd voltage, otherwise the MB would be varporized.

If there is a problem with your PS, don't try to get it fixed, get a new one. They're about the same price as an hours shop labour.

[Alfons]

I forgot to ask in my last post. The -5 volt source is used for ISA needs. Do you have any ISA expansion cards plugged into your system? That voltage could be real rough on them.

If you do, remove them/it before you power up again. I'd keep it shut down until I got a known-good PS to attach.

[peruney]

:flame: :bouncy: BOY!! TALK ABOUT BEING A DUMBASS
3:30AM Monday. I found my problem. ME ,all the time.
When I took the memory board out I pulled loose a 3 prong connecter next to the main power hookup on motherboard and did not see it.
This is a mini tower and it is crowded in there. I hooked it up and
booted up NO PROB"S.
I WISH TO THANK ALL FOR THE HELP, MUCHO!!!
I still say this is the best spot on the web.
peruney

[tb525]

Go back into setup and check the voltages and temperatures again...

MB Temperature 208 C / 65482 F
CPU Temperature 73 C/ 163 F


-5V Voltage -12.0V ( the 12.0V is in red letters)


If the -5V is still showing the same, there is a problem with the PS.
I don't know how accurate the temp sensors are but a MB temp of 208C would be above the melting point of the solder.

A CPU idle temp of 73C is too high also.

[peruney]

Good morn tb525, 6:30AM here and my coffee tastes good.
There is a problem getting into setup on this rig. Other than this prob I have not seen my setup. I try to get in hitting del but no go. I can get into safe mode holding F8 in bootup. This rig has, to me, a "locked" system. I have recovery disks that came with it but they just clean the junk out. I dont know how to get into setup.
If you or someone knows how please inform me.
Thanks peruney:)

[tb525]

Try tapping F2 while booting.

[Alfons]

You should really go to the Sony site and get acquainted with the support section for your computer. The support page for the J120 is HERE (http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/pc/pcvj120/) and at the bottom of that page you'll see that you can get a Manual - on page 14 of that manual you'll find how to get into your BIOS setup, which is:

1. During boot, when the Sony Logo appears, press F3.
2. The following message then appears: Press <F2> for Setup
3. Press F2

This manual also explains all the BIOS settings so that you can determine what you want changed. A rule-of-thumb here - If you don't understand it, leave it alone.

You'll need Adobe Reader to download & view the manual, so if you don't already have this, you should install it first.

[peruney]

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: Hi Alfons and tb525, You guys are great.
I went to the Sony site and printed out the manual, all 114 pages of that sucker. Now I know what happened. The 3 wire connecter was my power supply cooling fan!!. I went into setup
and the temps havent changed. Also I noticed instead of power fan speed showing N/A it was showing a speed #. So I shut my sony down. I am using my Duron for now. I will go for a new PWRsupply later. It had to be damaged with the heat.
I am VERY thankful for all the help from both you guys.
YOUR THE BEST
peruney
:D

[oddysey05]

I know this may sound funny but i have a pcv-j120 mini tower and i"m getting a temperature in my mother board of 208C i want to know if anyone can help me with this ,Thank you