Boot hangs on Processor ID... BIOS problem?

[indus49]

Lately, when I start up my PC... the system hangs on the 'processor id' portion of POST.

Nothing has changed with the configuration of my system recently... so my thoughts go to problems/imminent failure with some kind of component. Any ideas? Thanks!

ECS Nforce 3-A (latest bios)
Socket 754 Sempron 3100+
1.5 gb ram
Radeon 9600 Gfx

[Peter M]

As usual, it's probably not hanging /there/, but hanging at whatever it's trying to do /next/.

Typically that would be RAM count and IDE HDD detection. First thing to do is try with the I/O disconnected.

[indus49]

I pulled each ram stick, unplugged the HD... no change. Methinks possible a problematic BIOS...

[indus49]

I started pulling everything out... when I yanked all my PCI cards, the startup hang disappeared. I reinstalled the cars slightly out of order, and it seems all is well... perhaps an IRQ problem, or some rogue dust?

[sm8000]

An apparent IRQ problem is really a driver problem. What cards do you have in there?

[indus49]

Radeon 9600, TV Tuner, SoundBlaster and a 4USB/2 FireWire card.