BIOS Resetting after power failure

Boeing777 · 2nd January 2004, 6:00 PM

I've got a Celeron system upstairs that is 'the house computer' that anyone except me uses, basically so nobody touches mine as most of you would understand.

Anyway. we have a problem that early in the mornings, our safety switch on the switchboard likes to flick off, we've tried everything and even 3 electricans and energex can't find the problem.

But my concern is, that every time the power goes off, the BIOS of this PC resets to defaults (even resets the time / date and CPU speed). I tried everything to fix it on the first computer, even changed PSU and mobo battery. Eventually I got sick of it and stuck a whole new computer there (new case, everything).

Old one was a Celeron 2.0 on a ASUS P4S533-X, new one is a Celeron 2.0 on a ASUS P4SGX-MX. The problem is, the exact same thing happens. I figured maybe its just bad power, but don't understand how that could make the bios reset because isn't it upto the battery on the motherboard to maintain that information? I've tried plugging it in down the workshop and the problem doesn't happen, but i'm hoping there is some solution other than running a power cable to the next room's outlet, and without purchasing a $500 UPS.

Any ideas?

pyr0x · 2nd January 2004, 7:31 PM

Tried replacing the battery?

Bit odd that it happens at that one power outlet too

Boeing777 · 2nd January 2004, 10:34 PM

Yep tried replacing the battery on the first and current motherboards.

Boeing777 · 4th January 2004, 7:08 PM

bump

Brodieman · 4th January 2004, 11:03 PM

Do any other appliances fail at that wall socket, it sounds a bit flaky.

Of course you can always take apart the comp case and make sure that there is nothing accidentally grounding the motherboard
or that there are no flash marks around ram/cpu/pci slots.

Sounds like dodgy power supply, but the way you describe it i don't really know how it's happening

Get the house exorcised?

stool · 6th January 2004, 7:27 AM

Try replacing the wall socket. They are usually fairly inexpensive, and easy to do.

Junkie · 6th January 2004, 12:00 PM

tried taking the computer and plugging it into another outlet, maby at the oppisote end of the house and leave it there until ur power goes down again.. and see if the same happens.. ?

long shot, but worth a try i guess.

as brodieman said, could even be a flaky psu.

with weird probs like this, the easiest way to diagnose is usually by process of ellimination, as in unplug internal devices (hds, cds, floppy) and essentially just leave the mobo in there connected to the psu and see if it still happens.

if it does, thats a very good indication that its the psu..

and dont go and get an UPS until youve exhausted all options, cause chances are, it will still foul up with an UPS :P

sabretooth · 6th January 2004, 6:00 PM

Flakey power supply?

I'd try replacing that.

2nd January 2004, 6:00 PM	#1
Boeing777 Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 347	BIOS Resetting after power failure I've got a Celeron system upstairs that is 'the house computer' that anyone except me uses, basically so nobody touches mine as most of you would understand. Anyway. we have a problem that early in the mornings, our safety switch on the switchboard likes to flick off, we've tried everything and even 3 electricans and energex can't find the problem. But my concern is, that every time the power goes off, the BIOS of this PC resets to defaults (even resets the time / date and CPU speed). I tried everything to fix it on the first computer, even changed PSU and mobo battery. Eventually I got sick of it and stuck a whole new computer there (new case, everything). Old one was a Celeron 2.0 on a ASUS P4S533-X, new one is a Celeron 2.0 on a ASUS P4SGX-MX. The problem is, the exact same thing happens. I figured maybe its just bad power, but don't understand how that could make the bios reset because isn't it upto the battery on the motherboard to maintain that information? I've tried plugging it in down the workshop and the problem doesn't happen, but i'm hoping there is some solution other than running a power cable to the next room's outlet, and without purchasing a $500 UPS. Any ideas? __________________ -Boeing777 (AKA Dave - T7)

2nd January 2004, 10:34 PM	#3
Boeing777 Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 347	Yep tried replacing the battery on the first and current motherboards. __________________ -Boeing777 (AKA Dave - T7)

2nd January 2004, 7:31 PM	#2
pyr0x Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,637	Tried replacing the battery? Bit odd that it happens at that one power outlet too

4th January 2004, 7:08 PM	#4
Boeing777 Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 347	bump

4th January 2004, 11:03 PM	#5
Brodieman Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: End-World Posts: 4,004	Do any other appliances fail at that wall socket, it sounds a bit flaky. Of course you can always take apart the comp case and make sure that there is nothing accidentally grounding the motherboard or that there are no flash marks around ram/cpu/pci slots. Sounds like dodgy power supply, but the way you describe it i don't really know how it's happening Get the house exorcised?

6th January 2004, 7:27 AM	#6
stool Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Albany Posts: 332	Try replacing the wall socket. They are usually fairly inexpensive, and easy to do.

6th January 2004, 12:00 PM	#7
Junkie Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 93	tried taking the computer and plugging it into another outlet, maby at the oppisote end of the house and leave it there until ur power goes down again.. and see if the same happens.. ? long shot, but worth a try i guess. as brodieman said, could even be a flaky psu. with weird probs like this, the easiest way to diagnose is usually by process of ellimination, as in unplug internal devices (hds, cds, floppy) and essentially just leave the mobo in there connected to the psu and see if it still happens. if it does, thats a very good indication that its the psu.. and dont go and get an UPS until youve exhausted all options, cause chances are, it will still foul up with an UPS :P

6th January 2004, 6:00 PM	#8
sabretooth Overdue for a new title Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: QLD Posts: 8,275	Flakey power supply? I'd try replacing that.