GA-H55M-S2 rev 1.3 recent problem with delayed boot

[jim_in_dorris]

GA-H55M-S2 rev 1.3 MB
G. Skill DDR3 2x2 Gig Ram
Win7 64 bit Pro
ATI 4650 1gig Video

Just recently, within the last month, my system has started to take a long time booting.  It was stopping at "Loading operating system" and giving me an Intel ME firmware loading message, but I changed the BIOS settings for power and that seems to have stopped.  It takes 30-40 seconds on power up for the monitor to detect a signal.  On reboot, it powers off, waits 5-10 seconds, then comes back on and waits 30-40 seconds before the monitor detects a signal.  The last 2 days, doing a shutdown from windows turns off the video signal but doesn't turn off power.  What is going on here?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

Personally I would think that the only recourse there is to do a fresh install of the OS. Before you do that though clear the CMOS and load the Optimised BIOS Defaults along with any other settings that you like to make in the BIOS like disabling the floppy drive, making the hard drive the primary boot device etc.

If you need any instructions on how to do this follow these:

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least ten minutes before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Opimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self and then press F10 to save and exit.

[jim_in_dorris]

Thanks for the reply Dark Mantis, I have already done the BIOS thing, pulled the battery, loaded optimized defaults, no change.  I am getting close to reloading operating system, just need to offload all my data to another drive.  I really think the problem is hardware, but am willing to eliminate all other possibilities first.  I will also change my power supply out to verify that.  I have a high level of expertise in the computer field, so I should have no problems following this procedure to it's conclusion.   

[Dark Mantis]

OK glad to hear that you are proficient. It save a lot of time and effort!

Just post back if you need any help.

Good luck.

[jim_in_dorris]

On reflection, I am certain it is in the POST part of the startup, not the OS. On a reboot, it logs off, the monitor loses signal (normal) waits 10-20 seconds, then powers the computer off.  Then 30-40 seconds later it powers on, then off, then on.  Then 30-40 seconds later the monitor receives a signal and the raster appears.  This all occurs before the OS loads, so a reload will not change this.  I have updated to the latest BIOS version for this board.

[Dark Mantis]

Have you managed to swap out the PSU yet ?

The other thing to check is what BIOS you are running and whether updating it might help. It could have got corrupted.

[jim_in_dorris]

I am running the latest BIOS version for this motherboard, that was one of the first things I tried.  Still haven't changed PSU, don't have a spare laying around the office right now, and it's a 60 mile round trip to get one.  I will do that in the next couple of days

[Dark Mantis]

Well just keep us informed of how you get on please. 

[jim_in_dorris]

Ok, took computer to town, swapped out PSU, no change.  I think that the motherboard has a problem, what is the next step?

[Dark Mantis]

I would try booting with just one stick of memory in the DDR3_1 slot and see if that helps. If not try swapping the modules over and again rebooting.

[jim_in_dorris]

ok, I just put in totally different ram in, know working ram.  No difference.

[Dark Mantis]

Have you tried just one stick at a time in the correct slot?

[jim_in_dorris]

I just used 1 stick, and yes it was the correct slot.

[Dark Mantis]

ok, I just put in totally different ram in, know working ram.  No difference.

Knowing the memory works and knowing it is compatible with your motherboard are two completely different things!

First go into the BIOS and make sure all the normal time consuming things are enabled/disabled.
Disable Floppy drive
Disable Splash screen
Enable quick boot
Make primary boot device as HDD
anything else you can think of and save and exit.

I would suggest that you download and run Memtest86+ to check your RAM first.

Memtest86+        http://www.memtest.org/

Insert one stick of memory in slot 1 and run Memtest on it for at least 10 loops and if there are no errors then swap it over with the next one and continue untill you have checked all  modules.

If you have any errors the module is faulty.
 
If you have any faulty modules you will have to return the whole kit as they are matched.

Post back when you have done that with the results.

[jim_in_dorris]

The memory came out of another intel socket 1156 gigabyte motherboard and is on the compatibility list for my motherboard!  I will run mem86 on my existing ram, but I am 100% certain it is not the problem. I will also try all your other solutions and post back results.