Boot failure; freezes @ detecting IDE Drives

I am a bit of a novice and could use some help overcoming this problem. I have an older ASUS tower PC that I built myself. It has Phoenix Award BIOS v6.00PG;
Motherboard=A7N8x2.0 Deluxe with ACPI BIOS Rev. 1005
CPU=AMD Athlon XP 1250 mhz
OS=Windows 2K Pro
NVIDIA NFORCE graphics

The system had been stable and operating normally for a long time without issues. There have been no recent changes or additions to the system either hardware or software. My daugher had been using the PC and logged-off then used a Ctrl-Alt-Del shutdown. The PC had ben off only about 10 minutes or less and when I restarted the machine to use it, it would not boot properly.

I use AVG Pro AV, Spybot S&D, Adaware 2008, Spyware Blaster and keep all updated just about daily. I am not aware of any infections. AVG had just run a daily full system scan about 2 hours prior to the problem. My daughter was on the Facebook site last so who knows what may have arrived...

During POST the screen displays the Phoenix Award BIOS & copyright info, shows the ASUS motherboard info, the CPU description, runs throught the memory check showing "1572864K OK ". Then it displays:
"Trend ChipAwayVirus(R) On Guard Ver 1.65 "
"Memory Frequency is at 166 MHz , Dual Channel mode "
"Detecting IDE drives ... "

And there it freezes! I am unable to enter SETUP via the delete key.
I was able to enter SETUP one time early on and I checked to see that my normal boot sequence and drive information was correct and then exited it without making any changes. When the system restarted it dected the drives and went on to attempt Windows startup but a blue screen with fatal exception error displayed. Since that was the first time I had seen or received that screen I followed the instructions it displayed about re-booting and now it will not detect the IDE Drives or let me back into SETUP.

I have not yet tried clearing CMOS or run a memory check program. I was going to try using my OS installation CD and attempt a recovery but the system will not detect the drive and boot from the CD.

Knowledgeable guidance on the proper sequence of steps to attempt resolution would be appreciated before I mess this up any more attempting novice self-repair.

 

It sounds like your boot has been corrupted, have you tried booting into Safe Mode F8 at start up.
To be able to boot off the CD you will have to set 1st Boot device CD Rom in your BIOS.
Try this to start with and post the results.
hawk22

 

I'm unable to boot into Safe mode, or enter the Setup menu. If I try to enter Setup during the memory check it stops the mem check at that point but freezes there. The F8 key is ignored throughout Mem check and then the PC brgins IDE Drive detection and freezes

 

Hawwk, thanks for your reply. I'm unable to enter Safe Mode via the F8 key as it is ignored throughout the MemCheck and when the PC begins IDE Drive detection it freezes. I'm also unable to enter Setup via the DEL key

 

Detecting drives is part of POST and means BIOS hasn't completed it's job. Something has damaged the BIOS flash memory. the BIOS needs to be cleared. Unplug the power cord and ground the case. Then open the compter and unplug the power cable from the motherboard. Next, remove the battery from the motherboard and wait a full minute or more. Check yout manual re: resetting cmos jumper. If you've never replaced the battery, it wouldn't hurt to install a new one after the minute wait.

After you reconnect things, turn on the power and enter the BIOS to apply your settings and then save the changes and reboot to try getting into safe mode.

 

When you start up, start tapping the key several times as soon as the montior LED or keyboard LED becomes active. You can even hold a key down from when you press the power button, it should give you an error message and let you enter the BIOS.

Looking at the manual, in the BIOS -> Main menu, highlight and press Enter on each of the drive listings (Primary Master, Primary Slave, etc). In those menus you will see IDE HDD Auto-detection. Run that for each. If that works on one startup, but it "reverts" again, the CMOS battery should be changed. [When you want to exit the BIOS, press F10 so that the settings can be saved.]

You should pull out and reseat the cables for the HDD/HDDs (at the motherboard end as well).

Matt

 

Sparrow and Mattman, thanks for posting replies! I was looking for confirmation before I tried the CMOS clearing. I followed Sparrow's dirctions and went ahead and installed a new battery based on age of the system & battery.

All is well & working wonderfully.

Thanks so much for the help and prompt replies. This board is always my source for accurate and friendly support. We novices would be wandering in the wilderness still with your willingness to help.

Thanks again until my next blunder....

Kevin