Multiple External HDDs...Computer Recycles During Boot-Up

FalconAF · 28 Oct 2014

Not sure if this is the correct forum section, so I took a guess. OS is Win7 64 Home Premium with all updates. My problem is more of a hardware related issue though.

I recently moved and reconnected my computer at new residence. I *think* I have it set up the same way as previously, where I didn't experience this problem.

Computer is connected to an APC UPS. There are 4 external HDDs plugged into a separate surge protector that is connected to the APC UPS (the HDD power plugs are "brick size" and won't "fit" side-by-side into the power outlets on the UPS). The HDD USB connectors are plugged directly into USB ports on the rear of the computer.

Now when I boot the computer, it will start the boot process, but stop at the screen where it (would normally) list the drives on the computer. Some of the HDD power lights will be ON at the time, but some won't. The list of drives will not be shown and the computer will restart the boot process and go through the same cycle 3 or 4 times. During this process, some of the HDD power indicator lights will get turned on or off between boots. After 4 boot recycling attempts (almost always on the 4th boot attempt) ALL the HDD power indicator lights will finally get "synced" and be ON, at which point the computer will THEN list all drives and complete the boot process to the Win7 desktop.

It's like all 4 of the external HDDs aren't getting "initiated" fast enough until the 4th cycle of the boot process so all 4 of them will be "powered ON" in time for the boot process to continue. I've never had anything like that happen before until my recent move and re-connecting the computer components.

I don't think my computer's Power Supply has gone bad (it's a 1000 watt PSU on my main simulation "gaming" setup, so "lack of power" shouldn't be an issue). Once everything finally boots up, there are no other problems running whatever I want to do with the computer.

I'm stumped as to what may be happening causing the multiple boot processes. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks!

ICIT2LOL · 09 Nov 2014

Falcon mate a couple of things to try first why don't you boot with none of the externals plugged in and see what happens. Then plug them inone by one ans then again see what happens it could be you have a bad one.

for the PSU see this ditty of mine

UsingHW Info PSU

Download HW Info and pick the right bit version - HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 -Download - (or copy andpaste this site into the search bar) If you do not need the running informationin the smaller right hand panel close it. In the left hand window click on the+ for the individual device groupings and they will open out to the variouscomponents.

Go on opening out further until you get to the device itself. click on it and itwill highlight. In the right hand window there will be a very detailed descriptionof that device as in brand, speeds model number etc etc These are very detailedand are just what is needed for searching for drivers etc.

To get the PSU volts you need to select the Sensor button circled in yellow inthe pic for PSU testing do the same and scroll down the readout as in my pic towhere it has Nuvoton = yours might be a different section name / title. Postback apic of that please.

If you want a more definitive test see this https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/301799-psu-test-dc-output-voltage.html but pleaseonly use a digital multimeter and not an analogue as they inject typically 9vinto a circuit to test and into a 3.3v or 5v rail - not a good idea!!see thepartial pic of the correct sort of meter in that tutorial. details if youscroll down that listing.

Now a good reference article is this
Voltage Rails - Power Supply 101: AReference Of Specifications it will explain in detail what thevoltages are and functions of the PSU

Now the pic is of my Ivy Bridge Asus board and the section titled Nuvoton might be different to yours but look for where Vbatt is listed - that is the voltage rails section
The last link will tell you about tolerances etc