Asus A6J laptop: No bootable device insert boot disc ...

[_max_]

Hi there,
my laptop ASUS A6J shows a curious problem.

After any fresh OS installation (i.e. Windows 8, Vista or Linux), it boots immediately without any problem. But if the laptop remains powered off for a tens of minutes, then it does not boot and shows the error:

No bootable device. Please insert boot disc and press any key to continue...

It sounds strange because the BIOS always reads the hard disk correctly.
The SMART functionality does not show any issue, as well as various HDD tools used for diagnosis (Hiren's CD, Windows check).

I have also tried to replace the hard disk, but the problem persists

Thus I thought to a battery CMOS problem (since it is older than 10y), I replaced the CR2010 but the issue remains exactly the same: cold boot does not work, warm boot is fine (i.e. by booting from a CD/DVD).

Now the laptop is disassembled on my lab.
What do you suggest to check?

 

[HFultzjr]

Hi there,
my laptop ASUS A6J shows a curious problem.

After any fresh OS installation (i.e. Windows 8, Vista or Linux), it boots immediately without any problem. But if the laptop remains powered off for a tens of minutes, then it does not boot and shows the error:

No bootable device. Please insert boot disc and press any key to continue...

It sounds strange because the BIOS always reads the hard disk correctly.
The SMART functionality does not show any issue, as well as various HDD tools used for diagnosis (Hiren's CD, Windows check).

I have also tried to replace the hard disk, but the problem persists

Thus I thought to a battery CMOS problem (since it is older than 10y), I replaced the CR2010 but the issue remains exactly the same: cold boot does not work, warm boot is fine (i.e. by booting from a CD/DVD).

Now the laptop is disassembled on my lab.
What do you suggest to check?

I would start by doing a complete diagnostics.

Begin with checking RAM.

The search function will give you some info on how others are doing complete diagnostics, if you need help.

 

[_max_]

I would start by doing a complete diagnostics.

Begin with checking RAM.

The search function will give you some info on how others are doing complete diagnostics, if you need help.

Thank you for your answer.
RAM already checked with a BIOS test and it did not found issues.
Can you suggest something of more specific?

And why a RAM failure should impact on the HDD functionality at cold boot time?

 

[macboy81]

i would first check if you can run a live usb or cd and if that works

 

[jcitron]

Thank you for your answer.
RAM already checked with a BIOS test and it did not found issues.
Can you suggest something of more specific?

And why a RAM failure should impact on the HDD functionality at cold boot time?

Hi Max,

You could try memtest86 which is a much more in depth memory test. It's available free from memtest.org (I'm new here and can't post URLs yet). This can boot from a thumb drive or a CD/DVD.

The reason why this could be RAM is very simple, and believe me, I saw this once or twice with the first time happening to me. The data, when loaded on to the hard drive, is kept up in memory. When the system is rebooted, it never had a chance to write completely to the drive, thus corrupting the boot.

With my old system, the RAM had timing issues and the install process would go through the installation of the operating system. This was back in the NT4.0 days, and after the copying of data, reformatting, and installing. The numerous reboots, etc. The system was fine, but as soon as I turned off the system everything went off to bit heaven!

This was very frustrating, and the memory problem was resolved by my vendor. The RAM he sold me was out of spec for the dual processor system I was building.

John

 

[Altster]

Ditto on Memtest - great memory tester and he is correct, the website is http://memtest.org/. I use it to test memory and it gives great info during the test. You can just let it run as many times as you please to give the memory and good warm-up.

The download link is on that same web page (above) - just scroll down. Once you get the .iso file, simply burn it to a CD and is will boot directly into memtest86.

 

[ShinyTech]

Have you changed the hard drive setting in the BIOS to compatibility mode and tried. I know sometimes if it is set to AHCI and the drivers are not in the install it will cause the issue. Also the motherboard might be the problem.

 

[_max_]

Thank you guys

i would first check if you can run a live usb or cd and if that works

Hi Macboy,
I would say that any live distro boots and run correctly.

Hi Max,

You could try memtest86 which is a much more in depth memory test. It's available free from memtest.org (I'm new here and can't post URLs yet). This can boot from a thumb drive or a CD/DVD.

The Memtest86+ from Hiren's Boot CD checks SoDIMM modules from several hours but, until now, there are no evidence of failure.

The reason why this could be RAM is very simple, and believe me, I saw this once or twice with the first time happening to me. The data, when loaded on to the hard drive, is kept up in memory. When the system is rebooted, it never had a chance to write completely to the drive, thus corrupting the boot.

With my old system, the RAM had timing issues and the install process would go through the installation of the operating system. This was back in the NT4.0 days, and after the copying of data, reformatting, and installing. The numerous reboots, etc. The system was fine, but as soon as I turned off the system everything went off to bit heaven!

This was very frustrating, and the memory problem was resolved by my vendor. The RAM he sold me was out of spec for the dual processor system I was building.

John

Thank you John for your detailed report, which makes sense for the problem I am fighting against.cIf the RAM is the problem, everything should be fixed by replacing modules, right? Nevertheless I do not understand why it happens only during a cold reboot...

Ditto on Memtest - great memory tester and he is correct, the website is [CUT]. I use it to test memory and it gives great info during the test. You can just let it run as many times as you please to give the memory and good warm-up.

The download link is on that same web page (above) - just scroll down. Once you get the .iso file, simply burn it to a CD and is will boot directly into memtest86.

Thank you Altster,
nice to know. I am just downloading the software to try it as soon as possible.

Have you changed the hard drive setting in the BIOS to compatibility mode and tried. I know sometimes if it is set to AHCI and the drivers are not in the install it will cause the issue. Also the motherboard might be the problem.

Hi ShinyTech,
both HDD are PATA were bought in the same period. One was the original (5400 rpm) the other for higher performance (7200 rpm) and I had no problems during last 3 years by exchanging them (quite often happened).


Thank you again for your valuable advices!
I will execute another memory / hardware control but... I am afraid I have to think how to reflow the mainboard.

Any idea here?
Max

 

[_max_]

Here's a small update.
After that the memory test had found no issues, I have however replaced the SoDimm module and the hard disk. Then I have installed Scientific Linux just for fun. The first reboot went fine, then the laptop hanged after the cold boot.
So the problem is not in the Hard Disk nor in the RAM.

Reflow needed ? Where can I find some guideline for that?

 

[Altster]

I just diagnosed a bad SATA controller issue on a Dell Latitude D530 this am. First one I'd seen for awhile. You just never know about what can be tuggin' at yer chain!

 

[_max_]

I just diagnosed a bad SATA controller issue on a Dell Latitude D530 this am. First one I'd seen for awhile. You just never know about what can be tuggin' at yer chain!

How did you fix the Sata controller issue?

 

[cooltech]

It might be the memory module controller channel on the motherboard.

I had the same problem and found out that it was the memory module controller channel in the motherboard that went bad.

Had to replace the motherboard.

found a picture http://img001.photo.21cn.com/photos/album/20081015/o/FFE0063AC369147463EA1B28312C096B.jpg

When you do the memory test do you test all of the memory module controller channels or just one at a time and only on one memory channel?

 

[_max_]

It might be the memory module controller channel on the motherboard.

I had the same problem and found out that it was the memory module controller channel in the motherboard that went bad.

Had to replace the motherboard.

found a picture http://img001.photo.21cn.com/photos/album/20081015/o/FFE0063AC369147463EA1B28312C096B.jpg

When you do the memory test do you test all of the memory module controller channels or just one at a time and only on one memory channel?

I have left memtest running in auto mode, I guess it has checked everything was present at that time (two modules).
No errors, no warnings at all. Now a Bit fade test (90 min, 2 patterns) is running.
Are there other special functionalities I have to use?

 

[cooltech]

So here is how I found out what is was. I would pop one good stick of memory per memory channel and run the test for 3-5 minutes each channel (or until the red pops up. That is for testing the memory module controller on the motherboard at lest for me. Is their any easier way anyone?) and all of a sudden only one memory channel would pop up red on that one test.

Thanks

 

[cooltech]

I have left memtest running in auto mode, I guess it has checked everything was present at that time (two modules).
No errors, no warnings at all. Now a Bit fade test (90 min, 2 patterns) is running.
Are there other special functionalities I have to use?

Is their four modules on the motherboard?

I have two motherboards that have that same problem and would also freeze when the system would start running a load and using more memory then freeze on me. But the memory would test just fine until I tried the other modules.

 

[_max_]

Let me remind you that this is a laptop mainboard, so there are only 2 memory channels available for SoDimm packages.
Exchanging, replacing the memory modules did not change the story.
Actually memtest86+ does not find any issue in any module used.

 

[cooltech]

Let me remind you that this is a laptop mainboard, so there are only 2 memory channels available for SoDimm packages.
Exchanging, replacing the memory modules did not change the story.
Actually memtest86+ does not find any issue in any module used.

I forgot this is a laptop.

Did you check all the connections to and from the hard drive and the mainboard are secure?
Maybe something is lose.

 

[_max_]

Well, 3 hard disk have been replaced, 2 RAM modules also... Difficult to imagine that I have ran into bad connectors all the time
I am going to cook the mobo ...

 

[cooltech]

Well, 3 hard disk have been replaced, 2 RAM modules also... Difficult to imagine that I have ran into bad connectors all the time
I am going to cook the mobo ...

Did it work cooking the mobo?

Haven't tried it yet.