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BIOS HDD changing without intervention

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8 replies

by custodianr

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I have sent out a number of units with windows xp home, with ASUS, GIGABYTE, PC100, motherboards.
After a couple of months I have received calls about not being able to boot the computer.
I had each check the CMOS setting for HDD, and each indicated it was set to AUTO. When I shipped these units I set the HDD to user and setting for the particular drive specs, (MAXTOR).
They all had NORTONs 2001, 2002 installed aand active.
Can anybody shed any light as to a culprit that would do this change in the CMOS.
The clients say they did not enter the CMOS...

Thx

8 replies

by yacco

I don't know why it does it myself, but I can assure you that it has happened to me with several different motherboards and models too. Now I just let it auto detect and am done with it. Any modern hd and mobo combination will auto detect correctly in my experience.

by mdelyea

Perhaps the batteries have failed causing the BIOS to load the defaults (which sets the hard drives to autodetect). Also, sometimes power problems can cause an incorrect checksum on the CMOS during POST which can also cause defaults to be loaded. First check the CMOS batteries, then the case/power supply combos you shipped and try putting in a different power supply.

by custodianr

i appreciate the comments thank you. However, I have already applied these possible resolutions, I did not add to my original description in hopes of a variation to these solutions
anyway thankyou I will continue my research.

by thechas

On my XP Pro system, at least once, Windows Update did change CMOS settings!

The only option that I know of to limit this, is to set the Virus Detection switch in BIOS settings.

Of course, the users will get a warning on some software installsthat they may be getting a virus.
So, you need to weight the impacts, and decide what type of service calls you want.

Also, I have seen Windows Update send "wrong" drivers for the system.
So, for your less sophisticated users, you might want toremove the Windows Update shortcuts.

Chas

by custodianr

F.Y.I. I learn of the reason after time passed. It appears that Maxtor now sets its' HHDs to cable select as default, where previously it was as master. With WINXP setting the cmos for its own reasons. I had our dealers reset the HHDs to master and reset the cmos, and I haven't had any call back yet. thank you all

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