Asus not booting properly, boot options don't work consistently

[Kimbolini]

I'm having trouble with my Asus desktop not booting properly. I get this message:

"Reboot and Select proper boot device or Insert Boot Media in Selected Boot device and press a key"

I have tried setting the boot options variously switching between manually setting between the boot options below, #1 and #2, and setting to the Optimized Defaults setting. I'm not sure which boot option should be first or which one is working when it does work. Here's my options:

Boot option #1: SATA: ATAPI DVD A DH24ABS
Boot option #2: WDC WD20EARX-22PASB0
Boot option #3: Generic-MS/MS-Pro 1.03

Noticed that the driver for the bios is the original one (2011), and tried to update it through the option provided, but it never seems to work and just continues to 'connect to server' with no result.

Through numerous trials and errors I seem able to get the boot to work (not sure how though), and once it does Windows 7 works fine. The trouble is as soon as I try to boot again the whole process happens over.

I have a "new system image restore Asus 2012 ISO Files disk that I made when I purchased the computer, but haven't tried to use it as I'm not sure how or if it would only restore the bios settings or overwrite the whole system.

Help would be most appreciated!

 

[bigmck]

Your DVD should be the first boot option and the drive that has your C: drive should be the second boot. == It sounds like your System Image would be the thing to try. It restores your PC to the way it was the day the Image was made. Any changes you have made since then will be gone. This includes any pictures or documents you may have added since then. They will be gone also.

 

[gregrocker]

Please post back a screenshot of Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image so we can look over your disk configuration.

Have you run a few Startup Repairs?

Look over these steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 without the factory bloatware which is especially badly written on Asus even though they have great hardware. The bloatware and duplicate utilities which interfere with better versions built into Win7 are the main reason most tech enthusiasts will not run the Factory Install but prefer native Win7 with vastly better performance.http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

 

[alphanumeric]

If you very seldom or don't ever boot from a DVD I would set your hard drive as first boot device. #2 in your list above. Doing that will speed up the boot process. Just so you know a BIOS update is a firmware update not a driver update. It's a totally different process and if done incorrectly it could render your motherboard totally inoperative. If your BIOS is losing or forgetting its settings your BIOS/CMOS battery may be failing. They are inexpensive and relatively easy to replace. If you decide to use the system restore disks make sure you backup your personal data to external media first. If you don't you could lose your saved Documents, Pictures, and Music etc.

 

[Kimbolini]

gregrocker - Here is the snapshot of my Disk Management system:



I don't have a Windows installation disk for this computer as Windows came preinstalled, but I do have a Windows installation disk for another computer which I could try if it doesn't matter that the installation key would be different?

I could try looking for a BIOS/CMOS battery replacement. How would I know what I am replacing?

Normally I would never boot from a DVD disk.

My last resort would be to do a clean reinstall, but this doesn't seem like the problem to me since Windows runs fine once the system boots. I've been putting it into sleep mode overnight until I decide what I can do to solve this problem, to avoid the booting altogether.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[alphanumeric]

If the installation disk for the other PC is a custom OEM disk for that PC I wouldn't use it on this one. The CMOS battery is a little coin cell mounted in a small plastic holder on the motherboard. The manaual will tell you how to remove it and replace it. Take not of the polarity of the cell that's in it now, usually + side up. There will be a number on the battery denoting what type it is. You replace it with the same type and match the polarity when you put it in.

 

[gregrocker]

You need either a System Repair Disk which you can make from any Win7 PC of the same bit-version, or download and burn to disk the latest official installer ISO for your licensed version from Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to boot to run Startup Repair.

If that doesn't help I'd replace the CMOS battery as suggested.

What "doesn't work" about the BIOS update exactly? At what point does it fail? Did you read the changes made in the latest BIOS version to see if they might help the problem? This may be in a Read Me file in the BIOS update download, or on its download page.

 

[Kimbolini]

I have the New System Image Backup discs that I made when I first purchased the machine, along with the New System Image Restore ISO files disc that I made.

Wouldn't it be better to at least try the battery replacement, before going through a clean reinstall?

When I tried to update the BIOS, it stayed in a state of 'connecting to server', and didn't seem to actually ever connect (through ASUS site). I also browsed to the site but couldn't find any useful information.

 

[gregrocker]

Are these the Asus Recovery disks you have? These wiil reinstall the factory preinstalled Win7 with all of the bloatware and duplicate utilities that interfere with better versions built into WIn7. This is one of the worst installs of Win7 one can have, the reason why most tech enthsiasts prefer to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Whichever you decide to do can wait until after replacing the battery. But if you do either Recovery or Clean Reinstall I would first wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command to clear the hard drive of boot code which can interfere sometimes.

As to the BIOS update, what you describe sounds like a failure in the download from the Asus site, not actually updating the BIOS. Looking at the BIOS updates available on the Asus Support downloads webpage for your model it seems that 0904 is for Windows 8 only, but 0902 specifies it improves system stabliity. This download provides a .cap file which uses a special installer also available on the Downloads page under BIOS Utilities: Desktops - Essentio CM6830. Do not proceed with a BIOS Update without reading all of the instructions and following them to the letter, assuring there's no possibility of power cut.

If you are still under one year factory warranty I would have Asus tech support walk you through the Update since there is some risk and they would then be in a better position to repair or replace the unit if it fails. They may also be able to help you with this issue, as it may be known to them. Have you asked Google about it?

 

[Kimbolini]

I made a System Repair Disk, and rebooted my system, but it seems that Bill Gates has snuck in and waved a magic wand, because now my computer boots properly WITHOUT me having done anything. (Just to be clear, I did not run the system repair disk even though it was in the DVD drive and I had set that drive to boot first but it didn't go there.)

I've restarted it now 4 times and it has booted properly each time. So.... not sure what to think now. Any thoughts about this? Should I be concerned that my motherboard is crapping out?

 

[gregrocker]

Did you change the Hard Drive to boot first? That could have done it.

If you want you can work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7
which will often reveal problems and familarize you a lot more with troubleshooting.

 

[Kimbolini]

I changed the DVD drive to boot first. Guess I'll go through those troubleshooting steps. Thanks for the help!

 

[gregrocker]

I recommend the HD booting first. You can always trigger the DVD drive to boot if needed using the BIOS Boot Menu F8 key on Asus.