Re: [gentoo-user] [OT] Very slow POST process

[Michael <confabulate@kintzios.com>]

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On Wednesday 29 November 2023 00:16:11 GMT you wrote:
> On Tuesday, 28 November 2023 15:49:10 GMT Daniel Frey wrote:
> > On 11/28/23 03:38, Michael wrote:
> > > Over the last 8-9 months I noticed an old Lenovo G505s laptop is
> > > spending
> > > a
> > > long time in the POST process, before eventually the OEM logo shows up
> > > on
> > > the screen.  Last time I timed it, it took 2.5-3.0 minutes.  Normally it
> > > would only take ~20-30 seconds.  Once the logo shows up the boot process
> > > proceeds without further delay.
> > > 
> > > Initially, this delay to POST would happen randomly and rarely.  Now it
> > > happens every time.
> > > 
> > > Things I tried:
> > > 
> > > 1. Reflashing the UEFI firmware - it didn't work because it already has
> > > the
> > > latest firmware.
> > > 
> > > 2. Removing the main battery and holding down the power button for 15
> > > seconds, hoping to reset the firmware.
> > > 
> > > 3. Leaving the PSU cable connected overnight.
> > > 
> > > 4. Testing the RAM and HDD.
> > > 
> > > None of the above improved the situation, or indicated what might be
> > > wrong.
> > > 
> > > I'll reseat the RAM sticks and the HDD next, in case a contact is
> > > oxidised,
> > > but what else could cause this noticeable delay to POST?  A failing RTC
> > > CMOS battery?
> > 
> > We have had a few of these at work and these symptoms were cured by a
> > new CMOS battery. The voltage on the battery has likely dipped to
> > 2.9-3.0 volts; they get unreliable then (i.e. it's dead.) If you leave
> > it long enough you'll start getting RTC errors on POST.
> > 
> > I'd try that first, assuming you can still get the CMOS battery for these.
> > 
> > Dan
> 
> Thanks Dan, will do.  I was planning to take it apart soon to replace the
> HDD with an SSD, so this would be the first thing to check.  I expect
> finding a replacement unit will be difficult.  Every Lenovo RTC battery
> seems to have a different part number.

Some things are worth waiting for, others no so much.  :-(

So, this laptop was taking longer and longer and longer to boot, until it 
eventually stopped booting 3-4 months ago:

When the power button is pressed the cooling fan spins for a second or two, 
then it stops.  A few minutes later the CPU overheats and eventually it goes 
into a thermal shutdown.  Using an external fan to push air through merely 
delays this process, but the laptop still does not boot.  I am getting a black 
screen and no POST for many minutes until it cuts out.

I tried to reset the MoBo BIOS by pressing the power button with no battery or 
mains connected.  I also removed the newly replaced CMOS/RTC battery and 
pressed the power button, but the same failure mode remains after I 
reassembled everything.

Do I have:

1. Corrupted MoBo UEFI firmware?
2. A dying/dead chipset?
3. Something else?

Is there anything else I could possibly try?

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