7811 and NZXT Cryo Power Issue

I'm encountering a strange boot error while using the NZXT Cryo cooler with my 7811. Originally, I followed the advice of some others on this forum and plugged the USB to USB cable from the Cryo into the left side of the computer and the DC to USB cable into the right side to prevent a over-voltage warning. Then, after getting a DC to AC converter and a powered USB hub from Newegg, I plugged the DC to AC cable into the wall and the USB to USB cable into the hub. The 7811, although having nothing from the Cryo plugged into it, did not turn on when I tried to boot it. The backlit media controls would light and the fans spun, but the display would not initialize.

Thinking that putting the USB to USB cable back into the 7811 could somehow solve the problem, I plugged it into one of the ports on the left. To my surprise, it booted normally! Now I'm forced to have it plugged in to start the computer. Once the display has initialized, though, I can unplug it without running into any shutdowns or problems.


If it helps, I'm using a 2887 s/n 7811 and the 9C.08.00 BIOS. Right now I have a Logitech dongle in the right USB port and both a gamepad and the USB to USB cable for the Cryo in the left USB ports.

 

Sry I'm confused you're saying that the cryo - through USB to USB - has to be plugged into the notebook in order for it to boot up? I.e., the laptop will not boot if the cooler is not plugged into it?

 

Yes, in my case the USB to USB cable must be plugged into the laptop in order for it (the laptop) to start.

 

Hopefully this should help.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=307539

 

It's not the NZXT I'm worried about... no matter what it's getting enough power. I just don't want to have to plug it into the 7811 to boot the computer.

 

Hmm, well that's a strange issue. . . I've never come across the 7811FX not booting without the NZXT.

Did you try plugging it back into just usb-usb, and then just the 7811FX itself? Maybe this might magically solve the problem, but that is a serious issue.

 

Boot your computer go into the bios, if the usb port is on the list or at the top maybe move it down or move it off the list (sorry I can't be more specific, I forgot what the list on the bios looks like)

another thing I would do is unplug the laptop, remove battery, and press the power key a few times to drain capacitors, and then plug everything back in again except the cooler and see if it boots after that

 

Neither worked. I removed everything relating to the USB ports from the boot menu, but it still fails to start. Like before, the lights come on, the CD drive spins up, and I even hear the fans, but the display refuses to come on.


**Edit: I read the Gateway manual, and one of the things it suggests is pressing Fn+F4 to switch display modes. That didn't work, but I did find out something interesting. When I plugged in a separate (AC powered) USB hub into the notebook, it booted. It appears that it is dependent not on the Cryo, but rather whether or not the USB peripheral plugged in is externally powered. Would the GPU drivers (xfastest) I'm using have anything to do with this? I doubt it, as the problem I'm having is on boot, not after the OS loads.

 

I highly doubt that it is a driver related issue. It seems more like a hardware issue.

 

umm..that's just frickin odd. Your laptop won't boot unless it has something plugged into the USB? I have *never* heard of that. The thing shouldnt be USB dependant on any outside source unless it's an external OS Make sure it's plugged in? Maybe your power source isn't reliable? I really have no clue man.. just make sure your comp isnt set to boot from USB. And yea, sounds like your comp is tring to use the external display.. Hook an HDMI up to a TV and boot

and..uhh, have you tried booting with NO usb ports being used?

 

I hooked it up to my TV via HDMI, and the TV does not detect a signal. Interestingly, while the notebook is turned off, the TV says "Check signal cable," but when I turn the 7811 on the TV then changes to "No signal." I plugged the laptop directly into a wall outlet rather than a power strip, but it still does not want to start without some sort of powered USB peripheral. This is so frustrating - is there any way to "kickstart" the display and force it to start during POST? Thanks for the help, anyway.

 

Ironically, I'm having the exact same issue (minus the AC adapter). The Cryo (or any USB device) MUST be plugged into the USB port inn order for my laptop to start (2888 serial).

I'm baffled, and I've tried everything I know to try.

 

any other ideas?

 

Well it has to be a bios or hardware issue. I would boot it up and reflash the bios, even to the same version, and see if that helps. Otherwise, if it ends up being something you can't solve, maybe just buy a bluetooth dongle and keep it in the usb slot permanently. It would still bug me though personally.

EDIT: I'm starting to think your RAM is bad. you should test it with memtest or something (does memtest support all 4gb yet?)

 

I reflashed the 9C.08.00 bios, but to no avail. I think it has more to do with a voltage issue on the motherboard; it might think it's not getting enough power. Interestingly, if I unplug the powered peripheral after Vista has booted, the other peripheral plugged in, a gamepad, powers off immediately. At this point I want to take it into Best Buy, but I'm using it as my main computer right now and have a feeling they couldn't do much to help me anyway (that and the 7811 is no longer produced).

The Bluetooth dongle would be a good idea, but it has to be externally powered for the laptop to boot. I don't think the RAM is going bad as this has been going on for a month now and no further problems have developed, but I'll run memtest later anyway. ougijoe, have you fixed it yet?