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Bios settings randomly reset to default on startup?

Joined
Jun 18, 2010
Messages
2,353 (0.43/day)
Processor Intel i7 970 // Intel i7 2600K
Motherboard Asus Rampage III Formula // Asus P8P67 Deluxe
Cooling Zalman CNPS9900MaxB // Zalman CNPS11X
Memory GSkill 2133 12GB // Corsair V 2400 32GB
Video Card(s) ASUS GTX1080 // MSI GTX1070
Storage Samsung 870EVO // Samsung 840P
Display(s) Dell S2725DS
Case CoolerMaster Stacker 830se // Lian Li PC-9F
Audio Device(s) onboard
Power Supply Seasonic X 850w Gold // EVGA 850w G2
Mouse Logitech G502SE HERO, G9
Keyboard Dell
Software W11 Pro 24H2
I’m having a BIOS issue with a secondary system using Asus Rampage III Formula mobo (bios 903) and i7/950. 128GB SSD and 1TB secondary drive. Asus GS450 video.
System ran fine for a year in a test case.
Bought new case (Lian-Li, PC-9F) and OCZ ZX850W power supply and moved setup in April this year. PowSup: http://ocz.com/consumer/psu/zx-series-850w-1250w-power-supply
Randomly when you press “on” button, computer acts like it is going to start, mobo LED's light up and system does not start. When you depress “on” button a second time it starts BIOS routine and then fails.
All Bios settings are lost and I am back to a default profile.
System is on a UPS (CyberPower: Model: CP1500AVRLCD) and I'm not sure if there is a problem between power supply and UPS.
I’m using GSkill Pi memory 1600 rated for 6-8-6-20 2N at 1.6v. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231352
Currently memory is set for 9-9-9-24 2N at 1333, 1.6v.
I’ve never had a system fail where all the bios settings are reverted back to default. ( Not like when: "overclock has failed...press F1 to enter setup")
Have tried XMP and Auto in addition to Manual and same thing occurs at random times.
Running stock clocks.
Any thoughts or explanations as to why this is occurring?
Problem occurs randomly. Last time, 4 months ago.
 
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Sounds like an electrical issue somewhere. I know that is pretty broad but open the case up and see if anything is loose or possibly grounding out somewhere. That could be what is causing it to only happen every once in a great while and reset the BIOS to default.
 
I am unsure of electrical issue at this time but all ideas are still on the table.

I have not tried to reflash bios yet either.

The fact that I can't reproduce issue willingly has me at a loss.

It happened Friday, then I reset it today, did some updates and reboots, then had it off for a few minutes, and it did it again.

Had SSD on channel one and moved it to channel 0, switching HD and SSD places.

When bios fails, I loose AHCI setting, fan profile, everything.
 
I am unsure of electrical issue at this time but all ideas are still on the table.

I have not tried to reflash bios yet either.

The fact that I can't reproduce issue willingly has me at a loss.

It happened Friday, then I reset it today, did some updates and reboots, then had it off for a few minutes, and it did it again.

Had SSD on channel one and moved it to channel 0, switching HD and SSD places.

When bios fails, I loose AHCI setting, fan profile, everything.

Flat CMOS battery maybe..? =)
 
Ok, will check next time.
Machine not at my location. Was a gift to parents.
 
Yeah that was going to be my next suggestion, to check the CMOS. Good luck and if you can, keep us posted!
 
Check your CMOS discharge pins that you didn't leave it on discharge.
 
If this is an electrical issue and I rule out: grounding, loose connections, bios battery, bios discharge pins, what else could be going wrong?

Memory has been repeatedly checked and comes back clean.

Could the power supply have a fault that would do this?
 
You got me as you ruled out all the obvious. My guess is defective CMOS.
 
If this is an electrical issue and I rule out: grounding, loose connections, bios battery, bios discharge pins, what else could be going wrong?

Memory has been repeatedly checked and comes back clean.

Could the power supply have a fault that would do this?
Yes, it could be a PSU fault. From what you describe, the system is failing to boot when you first push the button, so then boots with default settings. Normal behavior for an ASUS board.
 
What would be the best way to determine if PSU is the issue.
It has a warranty but if it only has an issue intermittently, then how can I isolate/prove the PSU is defective?

Also, when it misfires the diagnostic LED's stay on red.
 
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If you have another PSU standing by or one that you can pull from another system that could work. You will need to keep it in the computer long enough to see if the problem still persists though.
 
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