Must Boot Twice To Start

Averatec 7170 EC1
This computer was purchased without HDD and replaced with a WD 160 GB used Hdd. Reset processor heatsink, upgraded memory from 1GB to 2GB, Repaired case; reformated with recovery disk. Unit booted up normally and seach web etc. Then just started condition where I would have to start with power buttom, got one flash on the HDD and no boot. The unit did not turn off. Would then hold power button in and unit shut down; restarted and the computer normally boots or goes to the screen to start normally, or use last good startup etc, and will then boot to Windows. Occationally the screen picture will breakup prior to opening the window start screen. Also find that unit will shut down, but will not power off. It will shut down and power off, if I use the keyboard rather than the shutdown icon.
Action so far:
Restored two or three times; resat heatsink, went back to old memory; resat HDD; BIOS on first HDD boot, downloaded Averatec drivers, ran scandisk, don't get error messages, cried a little. New BIOS, Flash, Cried some more...
Think I know answer, but don't want to predispose your answer. Would appreciate your help. I am too old to cry and to frustated to laugh!
Afterburner

 

Added: Thought it was the Hard drive, but checked it with HD Tune and got an A,OK! After booting, in about an hour, the picture on the screen starts to fade, and the screen appears to brighten. I will then Power off and repower in about five minutes, go through the double boot, and I get a perfectly good picture. Really need some of your ideas on this problem and appreciate your help.

 

It sure sounds like a heat problem to me. You talk about reseating the heatsink... I am not disparaging your skills with this next question, but what thermal compound did you use and was it carefully applied according to standard practices, including making sure the heatsink was making good contact with the processor? ...and actually this doesn't sound so much like a CPU overheating, but a GPU (graphics processing unit).

 

Jim, thanks for the reply. Heat sink to the processor is rather easy. There are four numbered spring loaded screws and it is hard to misalign. I used Star white paste. Comes in a little celophane package; cut the end and apply to processor.
Grafics are "Geforce Nvidia go 6100, but I think it is incorporated into the motherboard.
I agree the fading of the picture seems like a heat problem, but the double startup procedure has me baffled. I just reeinstalled XP Home and that changed nothing. Of course, I have not installed any of the drivers, except the ones in XP. That may make a difference. Hopefully!
The back cover is in three parts and is a dog to take the main cover off. I have removed all visible screws and clips, but it still doesn't want to budge.
I want to get to the CMOS battery and disconnect it, but I think it is under the main cover. Unless, the little compartment in the lower left back of the computer has something to do with it. That compartment has a loose four lead wire with a tiny plug on the end. The plug goes nowhere that I can see.
I talked to Adveratec and they have not seen this problem (one Tech)
The thing that is so puzzling is the double boot and the computer running perfectly for about an hour. At 80 years old, this may be a lifetime job!
Afterburner

 

Afterburner, let me first confirm that I have never worked specifically on the 7170. However I do have experience with the Nvidia Go 6100 GPU.

This GPU is typically mounted to a daughtercard that is soldered to the motherboard. And this chip runs hot, hot, hot! In other words, it MUST have a properly installed heatsink. Otherwise it will crash much as you have described.

A lot of notebooks actually use one heatsink/heatpipe to cool both CPU and GPU. So the GPU is usually next door to the CPU. On the 2370 the heatsink screws down over the CPU, then on its path via the heat pipe to a cooling radiator, makes contact with the GPU - or at least is supposed to.

Again on the 2370 there is a thermal pad (as opposed to thermal paste) between the GPU and the heatsink. However, as soon as you remove the heatsink from the CPU, you have also pulled that thermal pad away from the GPU. In my most humble opinion, once removed, there is no way that used thermal pad will make full contact with the GPU upon reinstallation.

You cannot simply substitute thermal paste for this thermal pad unless it has its own clamping mechanism (not true in the 2370, and likely not true based on what you have written about the 7170). The heat sink is secured at the CPU and the thickness of the GPU's thermal pad must be taken into account. You must either replace the thermal pad, or do as I did...

Fully clean off all existing paste and pad being careful to not bend or scratch anything. I used a popsicle stick as a scrapper and some acetone on cotton swabs to do the final cleanup. I am assuming the heatsink/heatpipe is made of copper in your notebook. I found a small piece of flat and smooth copper sheet about 1/2" X 1/2" X 1/16" thick which I used as a thermal transfer shim between the GPU and the heatsink. Apply only a rice grain sized bit of the best thermal paste you can find (Arctic Silver 5 has a good reputation) on the CPU and GPU. Use a business card to spread a VERY thin layer. Set the copper shim on the GPU, then apply another layer of paste as above. Reinstall your heatsink/heatpipe unit, try to come as straight down as possible to avoid disturbing the copper shim.

Unless you have already heat fatigued the GPU to the point of no return, your video should return to normal and more than likely solve the double boot issue.

 

Jim, your right, there was some heavy pastelike material that covered some chips under the copper heatsink. Had no idea why it was there and fortunately did not remove it! Really like your idea of the copper shim and the Arctic silver. Will make the modifications and see if it clears the problem.. In any case I will get back and post the results. Really appreciate your imput.... thanks again
Afterburner