failures on boot

My aging 2008 home built is acting up again. I'm afraid it may be
headed for the morgue. It will stop with a 'C1' code during the boot
on the BIOS display. This is defined as:
Auto detect of dram size type & ECC
Auto detect of L2 cache (socket 7 or below

That is, it will run the BIOS to completion, 'FF', and start booting
before falling out with the C1 and an audible alarm.

I've taken to booting mem86 of a diskette and running it a while
before attempting Windows when the machine is cold. Once booted, mem86
usuallly runs forever without errors. I did see it drop out once but
didn't catch the code that time. Once booted, XP runs flawlessly. Once
warmed up, reboots on XP never fail.

The 'C1' is also the first code I see when I turn the machine on.

If I had space to work on one I'd start a new build but it would be
very difficult the way I've jammed myself into this apartment. Also
I'm way behind the curve on planning a build with all the new chips
and mbs since 2008. I built this one with a ton of advice off the Abit
web site and here.

On 12/16/2017 10:29 AM, John B. Smith wrote:
My aging 2008 home built is acting up again. I'm afraid it may be
headed for the morgue. It will stop with a 'C1' code during the boot
on the BIOS display. This is defined as:
Auto detect of dram size type & ECC
Auto detect of L2 cache (socket 7 or below

That is, it will run the BIOS to completion, 'FF', and start booting
before falling out with the C1 and an audible alarm.

I've taken to booting mem86 of a diskette and running it a while
before attempting Windows when the machine is cold. Once booted, mem86
usuallly runs forever without errors. I did see it drop out once but
didn't catch the code that time. Once booted, XP runs flawlessly. Once
warmed up, reboots on XP never fail.

The 'C1' is also the first code I see when I turn the machine on.

If I had space to work on one I'd start a new build but it would be
very difficult the way I've jammed myself into this apartment. Also
I'm way behind the curve on planning a build with all the new chips
and mbs since 2008. I built this one with a ton of advice off the Abit
web site and here.


Just a couple guesses.

Failing power supply.
Leaking bad caps on motherboard.
Near dead CMOS battery.

Rene

On Sat, 16 Dec 2017 11:36:16 -0600, Rene Lamontagne
wrote:

On 12/16/2017 10:29 AM, John B. Smith wrote:
My aging 2008 home built is acting up again. I'm afraid it may be
headed for the morgue. It will stop with a 'C1' code during the boot
on the BIOS display. This is defined as:
Auto detect of dram size type & ECC
Auto detect of L2 cache (socket 7 or below

That is, it will run the BIOS to completion, 'FF', and start booting
before falling out with the C1 and an audible alarm.

I've taken to booting mem86 of a diskette and running it a while
before attempting Windows when the machine is cold. Once booted, mem86
usuallly runs forever without errors. I did see it drop out once but
didn't catch the code that time. Once booted, XP runs flawlessly. Once
warmed up, reboots on XP never fail.

The 'C1' is also the first code I see when I turn the machine on.

If I had space to work on one I'd start a new build but it would be
very difficult the way I've jammed myself into this apartment. Also
I'm way behind the curve on planning a build with all the new chips
and mbs since 2008. I built this one with a ton of advice off the Abit
web site and here.


Just a couple guesses.

Failing power supply.
Leaking bad caps on motherboard.
Near dead CMOS battery.

changed that CMOS battery a few months ago, though the voltage was
still pretty good after all that time. I'm second-guessing my install
now though. Seems like it should have been idiot proof.
Rene

On Sat, 16 Dec 2017 11:29:50 -0500, John B. Smith
wrote:

My aging 2008 home built is acting up again. I'm afraid it may be
headed for the morgue. It will stop with a 'C1' code during the boot
on the BIOS display. This is defined as:
Auto detect of dram size type & ECC
Auto detect of L2 cache (socket 7 or below

That is, it will run the BIOS to completion, 'FF', and start booting
before falling out with the C1 and an audible alarm.

I've taken to booting mem86 of a diskette and running it a while
before attempting Windows when the machine is cold. Once booted, mem86
usuallly runs forever without errors. I did see it drop out once but
didn't catch the code that time. Once booted, XP runs flawlessly. Once
warmed up, reboots on XP never fail.

The 'C1' is also the first code I see when I turn the machine on.

If I had space to work on one I'd start a new build but it would be
very difficult the way I've jammed myself into this apartment. Also
I'm way behind the curve on planning a build with all the new chips
and mbs since 2008. I built this one with a ton of advice off the Abit
web site and here.

Similar error, two different scenarios -- of possible interest and
easiest test is your memory. The part about cleaning or a single
stick are easy;- I do it occasionally with an ink eraser, clean the
contacts before using parts cleaner on slots.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/297503-30-error

https://forums.hexus.net/help-quick-...r-code-c1.html

On Sat, 16 Dec 2017 16:09:55 -0500, Flasherly
wrote:

On Sat, 16 Dec 2017 11:29:50 -0500, John B. Smith
wrote:

My aging 2008 home built is acting up again. I'm afraid it may be
headed for the morgue. It will stop with a 'C1' code during the boot
on the BIOS display. This is defined as:
Auto detect of dram size type & ECC
Auto detect of L2 cache (socket 7 or below

That is, it will run the BIOS to completion, 'FF', and start booting
before falling out with the C1 and an audible alarm.

I've taken to booting mem86 of a diskette and running it a while
before attempting Windows when the machine is cold. Once booted, mem86
usuallly runs forever without errors. I did see it drop out once but
didn't catch the code that time. Once booted, XP runs flawlessly. Once
warmed up, reboots on XP never fail.

The 'C1' is also the first code I see when I turn the machine on.

If I had space to work on one I'd start a new build but it would be
very difficult the way I've jammed myself into this apartment. Also
I'm way behind the curve on planning a build with all the new chips
and mbs since 2008. I built this one with a ton of advice off the Abit
web site and here.

Similar error, two different scenarios -- of possible interest and
easiest test is your memory. The part about cleaning or a single
stick are easy;- I do it occasionally with an ink eraser, clean the
contacts before using parts cleaner on slots.
Sounds like the easiest thing to try, but it's still a chore to move
stuff on the desk to pull the memory boards with the tower upright.
I'll get to it. The pc booted flawlessly this morning, kinda puts my
desperation on hold.


http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/297503-30-error

https://forums.hexus.net/help-quick-...r-code-c1.html

On Sun, 17 Dec 2017 13:59:34 -0500, John B. Smith
wrote:

Sounds like the easiest thing to try, but it's still a chore to move
stuff on the desk to pull the memory boards with the tower upright.
I'll get to it. The pc booted flawlessly this morning, kinda puts my
desperation on hold.

Yeah, they're like that sometimes.

Mine's an aluminum mid-tower, light as Coke can, at my left elbow.
Folded a bath towel three ways underneath it. The side farthest, I
removed permanently, opposite the MB and cards. Couple things on the
desk to move, couple things off the top of the computer, being then I
can slide it obliquely, while lowering it to side that has the cover
on. Grab a LED flashlite, clip on desk lamp, and go to it. Two
minutes;- none, if disconnecting or substituting drives.

I've a folding-legs, square, 3'x3' card table for anything deeper. Put
that where my right elbow goes;- also handy-dandy for two computers
going side-by-side.

John B. Smith wrote:

My aging 2008 home built is acting up again. I'm afraid it may be
headed for the morgue. It will stop with a 'C1' code during the boot
on the BIOS display. This is defined as:
Auto detect of dram size type & ECC
Auto detect of L2 cache (socket 7 or below

That is, it will run the BIOS to completion, 'FF', and start booting
before falling out with the C1 and an audible alarm.

I've taken to booting mem86 of a diskette and running it a while
before attempting Windows when the machine is cold. Once booted, mem86
usuallly runs forever without errors. I did see it drop out once but
didn't catch the code that time. Once booted, XP runs flawlessly. Once
warmed up, reboots on XP never fail.

The 'C1' is also the first code I see when I turn the machine on.

If I had space to work on one I'd start a new build but it would be
very difficult the way I've jammed myself into this apartment. Also
I'm way behind the curve on planning a build with all the new chips
and mbs since 2008. I built this one with a ton of advice off the Abit
web site and here.

Once warmed, it boots okay. When cold, it might fail on a memory error.
Well, likely the PSU is as old as when the box was originally built.
PSUs typically lose 5% load capacity per year. No idea how close you
loaded the PSU to the surge current from all loads when cold. You might
want to start monitoring voltages from the PSU, or replace it with a new
and much bigger capacity unit.

Don't know what C1 and FF codes would mean. Obviously you have a mobo
with a couple LED displays to show boot codes. Seems you'd have to know
the mobo maker and model (unidentified here) to see in their manual what
the codes mean. You're not getting any beep codes on cold power boot
(https://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm)?

On 12/16/2017 3:45 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
John B. Smith wrote:

My aging 2008 home built is acting up again. I'm afraid it may be
headed for the morgue. It will stop with a 'C1' code during the boot
on the BIOS display. This is defined as:
Auto detect of dram size type & ECC
Auto detect of L2 cache (socket 7 or below

That is, it will run the BIOS to completion, 'FF', and start booting
before falling out with the C1 and an audible alarm.

I've taken to booting mem86 of a diskette and running it a while
before attempting Windows when the machine is cold. Once booted, mem86
usuallly runs forever without errors. I did see it drop out once but
didn't catch the code that time. Once booted, XP runs flawlessly. Once
warmed up, reboots on XP never fail.

The 'C1' is also the first code I see when I turn the machine on.

If I had space to work on one I'd start a new build but it would be
very difficult the way I've jammed myself into this apartment. Also
I'm way behind the curve on planning a build with all the new chips
and mbs since 2008. I built this one with a ton of advice off the Abit
web site and here.

Once warmed, it boots okay. When cold, it might fail on a memory error.
Well, likely the PSU is as old as when the box was originally built.
PSUs typically lose 5% load capacity per year. No idea how close you
loaded the PSU to the surge current from all loads when cold. You might
want to start monitoring voltages from the PSU, or replace it with a new
and much bigger capacity unit.

Don't know what C1 and FF codes would mean. Obviously you have a mobo
with a couple LED displays to show boot codes. Seems you'd have to know
the mobo maker and model (unidentified here) to see in their manual what
the codes mean. You're not getting any beep codes on cold power boot
(https://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm)?



He mentioned ABIT so I assume that is what the MB is.

Rene

On Sat, 16 Dec 2017 15:45:01 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:

John B. Smith wrote:

My aging 2008 home built is acting up again. I'm afraid it may be
headed for the morgue. It will stop with a 'C1' code during the boot
on the BIOS display. This is defined as:
Auto detect of dram size type & ECC
Auto detect of L2 cache (socket 7 or below

That is, it will run the BIOS to completion, 'FF', and start booting
before falling out with the C1 and an audible alarm.

I've taken to booting mem86 of a diskette and running it a while
before attempting Windows when the machine is cold. Once booted, mem86
usuallly runs forever without errors. I did see it drop out once but
didn't catch the code that time. Once booted, XP runs flawlessly. Once
warmed up, reboots on XP never fail.

The 'C1' is also the first code I see when I turn the machine on.

If I had space to work on one I'd start a new build but it would be
very difficult the way I've jammed myself into this apartment. Also
I'm way behind the curve on planning a build with all the new chips
and mbs since 2008. I built this one with a ton of advice off the Abit
web site and here.

Once warmed, it boots okay. When cold, it might fail on a memory error.
Well, likely the PSU is as old as when the box was originally built.
PSUs typically lose 5% load capacity per year. No idea how close you
loaded the PSU to the surge current from all loads when cold. You might
want to start monitoring voltages from the PSU, or replace it with a new
and much bigger capacity unit.

Yes, PSU was installed in 2008. It's a PC Power And Cooling 610watt.
The ABIT mb has an application called Guru that supposedly allows me
to monitor the voltages. They all look ok. But that's when Windows has
booted and everything is running good. Yes, sounds like a flaky psu to
me too but hate to buy a new one on suspicion. I did define C1 in
original post.

Don't know what C1 and FF codes would mean. Obviously you have a mobo
with a couple LED displays to show boot codes. Seems you'd have to know
the mobo maker and model (unidentified here) to see in their manual what
the codes mean. You're not getting any beep codes on cold power boot
(https://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm)?

On Sun, 17 Dec 2017 13:54:50 -0500, John B. Smith wrote:

Yes, PSU was installed in 2008. It's a PC Power And Cooling 610watt.
The ABIT mb has an application called Guru that supposedly allows me
to monitor the voltages. They all look ok. But that's when Windows has
booted and everything is running good. Yes, sounds like a flaky psu to
me too but hate to buy a new one on suspicion.

Doesn't the BIOS have a health tab and if so can you get into that when
you first switch on and see the power supply voltages?

Providing the on cmos battery is good and I removed and reseated
everything I can a power supply problem would be my next favourite
choice. You have to start somewhere and a power supply is the most
likely item to be able to use in the future. If you change motherboard,
for example, you may have to change cpu and ram as well.

--
Faster, cheaper, quieter than HS2
and built in 5 years;
UKUltraspeed http://www.500kmh.com/