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

[Michael <confabulate@kintzios.com>]

[-- Attachment #1: Type: text/plain, Size: 3260 bytes --]

On Tuesday, 28 November 2023 13:13:55 GMT Dale wrote:
> 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?
> 
> I recently had this issue as well on my 770T NAS box.  I ordered some
> video cards and once I replaced the video card, it boots in the time it
> should every time.  Before that, I tried memtest, checking the CPU was
> seated properly and not running hot, checked temps with a IR thingy of
> both bridge chips and several other things.  I also replaced the battery
> and reset the settings to defaults and then adjusted to my way.  The
> only thing that changed the long POST time, changing the video card.  I
> might add, I've booted that thing a lot since I changed the video card
> and it boots right up each time. 
> 
> If you have a built in video system, you stuck.  The only option I can
> think of, clean the heat sink/cooler for the CPU and such and see if
> that helps any.  If you doing a cold start, couldn't imagine heat being
> a issue tho.  If you have a video card that can be changed, might want
> to try that.  I've never seen a laptop with one of those tho. 
> 
> I hope someone else has a better suggestion. 
> 
> Dale
> 
> :-)  :-) 

Thank you Dale, this laptop has both an AMD A10-5750M APU with a Richland 
[Radeon HD 8650G] graphics on the die and a discrete Jet PRO [Radeon R5 M230] 
GPU, working with the radeon kernel driver and the vga_switcheroo.  I can't 
recall if the Radeon chip is soldered or plugged in a socket on the MoBo.  
Until I take off the back cover I won't know for sure.

Perhaps a red herring, but it may be related to graphics:  At some point in 
the summer I connected an external monitor with HDMI to test it.  I then 
switched from both monitors, only the laptop's LCD and then only the external 
monitor and back again before I shut it down.  All worked as expected on a 
Wayland Plasma desktop.  I am not certain, but have the impression the delay 
at POST started getting worse thereafter, although the problem existed 
intermittently for a good 4-5 months before then.  :-/

I hope the GPU is not failing, because I doubt I'll be able to source one of  
these chips, while spending money on a replacement MoBo on flea-bay would not 
be cost effective.

[-- Attachment #2: This is a digitally signed message part. --]
[-- Type: application/pgp-signature, Size: 833 bytes --]