Power strip causing boot errors.

[JayRockets]

Newly built PC. ga-z170x-gaming-7 motherboard. PC is plugged into a surge protector with an on-off switch. I like to flip that switch to save power. However, if I do, I run into problems on my next startup. Usually my pc will start to powerup, shutdown, re-powerup and display a UEFI window stating my pc failed to boot and I'll have the option to load default BIOS settings or to enter the BIOS. I usually enter bios then exit without saving and everything is fine. Once I was greeted with a Windows 10 screen asking me to insert my recovery disk. I ignored this and restarted and again everything was fine.

For now I'm just keeping the power strip on, but I'd really like to know what's going on. I've disabled all the Wake options in BIOS (LAN, Keyboard, Mouse) and enabled ErP. This is the first PC I've had that seems to need power supplied to it even after a shutdown.

 

[XavierMace]

How much power could you possibly be saving by turning the power strip off if everything plugged into it is turned off?

More details about the rest of your system would help though. Off hand it sounds like your boot disk isn't starting fast enough from a cold start.

 

[JayRockets]

I don't know how much power I am saving, but flipping a switch is easy enough so I do it. Or rather, I use to do it.

i5-6500
ga-z170x-gaming7
2x8GB Corsair 2666 DDR4
250gb 850 EVO SSD
1TB WD Black HDD
Sapphire r9 390 (set to UEFI mode)
EVGA G2 650w PSU

I'm going to try switching it of off overnight, then switching it on for and hour before hitting the power button.

 

[Ketchup]

I NEVER turn my power switch. Turning it off when connected to powered-down equipment might be saving you a penny a month, but even that may be assuming too much.

 

[JayRockets]

I NEVER turn my power switch. Turning it off when connected to powered-down equipment might be saving you a penny a month, but even that may be assuming too much.

Everything has lights on when they're off. Everything. Why? Why do I need a light to tell me that my TV is off. Know how I know it's off? Because it's off!

Electronics consume electricity when off. I don't know how much, but it's more than zero.

 

[who?]

The TV light shows you where it is in a dark room. I call it the "Hey,over here" light.
Any device that you can turn on with a remote has a circuit that is always on and watching for the blinking IR emitter.

 

[who?]

The clock battery on a new motherboard should be good but you should try replacing it to see if the problem stops. If it's an OLD lithium battery that may be the problem.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Ever since Windows 8, "Shut Down" actually puts the PC into a "Deep Sleep" state.

Disable "Fast Startup" under Power Options somewhere.

 

[westom]

I usually enter bios then exit without saving and everything is fine.

So BIOS setting are corrupted. BIOS has two power sources. The always powered on supply from AC mains and a battery. If both are removed, then BIOS is corrupted?

So why is the battery not providing power. Maybe a battery or something else. Always see a problem before fixing it. Measure that battery with a meter. If 2,9 volts, then plan on replacing it in the next year. If below 2.8 volts, a problem exist.

So was the battery defective when purchased? Or just as likely, a motherboard defects to discharge that battery. Meter measurement is essential for identifying a defect before that motherboard warranty expires.

 

[JayRockets]

Ever since Windows 8, "Shut Down" actually puts the PC into a "Deep Sleep" state.

Disable "Fast Startup" under Power Options somewhere.

That's what I thought it was, but no, disabled fast startup and hibernate and it didn't change anything.

So BIOS setting are corrupted. BIOS has two power sources. The always powered on supply from AC mains and a battery. If both are removed, then BIOS is corrupted?

So why is the battery not providing power. Maybe a battery or something else. Always see a problem before fixing it. Measure that battery with a meter. If 2,9 volts, then plan on replacing it in the next year. If below 2.8 volts, a problem exist.

So was the battery defective when purchased? Or just as likely, a motherboard defects to discharge that battery. Meter measurement is essential for identifying a defect before that motherboard warranty expires.

I don't think the battery is defective or the bios is corrupted, because the BIOS remembers my settings and my time. What I think is happening is akin to what happens to my TV when I unplug. On the next plugin I get that menu screen to select my Language etc. I think powering off the mobo might be triggering some sort of First Time Bootup process. Because the very first time I powered this thing on, it did the powerup, restart, powerup thing.

I guess I'm just going to keep the thing powered, but I really want to know what's happening.

 

[OlyAR15]

Have you tried using another power bar?

 

[westom]

I don't think the battery is defective or the bios is corrupted, because the BIOS remembers my settings and my time.

Symptoms are classic of a corrupted BIOS due to insufficient battery power. BIOS settings remain intact. But one or two bits change (ie a correction bit). Then BIOS is restored by checking BIOS settings.

Your symptoms are classic of a weak battery. This is where thinking varies from knowing. Nobody knows anything until a meter measures that battery. Similar symptoms were seen when a defective IC discharged its battery too quickly. Defective IC that may become worse (create additional failures) with age.

You would ignore it rather than spend a minute to identify the defect? That is what a warranty is for. Why then post a question if you were going to ignore informed recommendations?

 

[Puffnstuff]

That's what I thought it was, but no, disabled fast startup and hibernate and it didn't change anything.

Did you disable it in both windows and bios? If you didn't manually adjust the advanced windows power settings that could be the culprit.

 

[JayRockets]

Symptoms are classic of a corrupted BIOS due to insufficient battery power. BIOS settings remain intact. But one or two bits change (ie a correction bit). Then BIOS is restored by checking BIOS settings.

Your symptoms are classic of a weak battery. This is where thinking varies from knowing. Nobody knows anything until a meter measures that battery. Similar symptoms were seen when a defective IC discharged its battery too quickly. Defective IC that may become worse (create additional failures) with age.

You would ignore it rather than spend a minute to identify the defect? That is what a warranty is for. Why then post a question if you were going to ignore informed recommendations?

I don't have a meter and have never done anything like that. Not ignoring it, just putting lower on my troubleshooting for now.

Here's an update. Today I powered off the strip for 8 hours while at work. Came home, powered on the strip, did some stuff for 20 minutes, then powered up my PC and it booted without a problem.

I usually hit the switch then power up the pc within seconds. I'm wondering if I haven't been giving the PSU enough time to get power to the SSD.

 

[westom]

I don't have a meter and have never done anything like that.

A meter is so ubiquitous as to sell in most any store that also sells hammers - often for less money than a hammer. Also found in other stores including Walmart for $14 or Harbor Freight for $5.

If one cannot use a meter, then starting a car must be virtually impossible. A meter is that simple - for some people easier than using a hammer.

Set a meter to 20 volt DC setting. Touch leads to battery. Read number. Report that number here so that the fewer who really know this stuff can reply.

Every reply has only been speculation. Trying this. Maybe that. That diagnostic procedure takes longer and too often only cures symptoms. Solving problems is always best done by first identifying a problem After all that labor, the problem still remains unknown.