Power up problem . . .

Since upgrading my motherboard from Duo to Quad core processor and Win7/64, my DAW will not start up on first power-up nor will it reboot when restarting the computer within Windows.  Before spending $80 to have my local shop look it over I thought I'd throw it out here for y'all.

1. On first power-up the monitor will awaken but will quickly go back to sleep mode - HD light on case stops blinking.  I hold the power switch in to power down and then power it back on and it boots up normally.  Nothing else seems out of the ordinary.
2. Once in Windows, if I Restart the computer, Windows goes through the process but when it re-powers up I have to go through the above process again of powering off and back on.
3. If I close down the computer and restart immediately or after an extended amount of time - back to item 1.

it is always the first boot and it always boots normally on the second attempt.  I'm getting kind of tired of it.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
Wren

Intel DP35DP, Q9550, 8Gb, Win7/64, EVGA 6750 (don't recall exactly), Lynx L22

If I understand the scenario correctly it requires 2 activations of the start button to boot from a cold machine, but if the machine has been running and is stopped and started shortly thereafter there is no problem.
 
If so, then a hardware problem related to a cold connection somewhere is a good possibility. For various reasons the first attempt to connect two conductors may be more problematic than subsequent connections. One reason is that expansion of the conductor gap in a plug or bad solder joint from the initial energization may close that gap by the second attempt. There are also subtle electrochemical factors relating to corrosion etc. If there is a problem connecting to one of the pins on your new CPU, you may have a real headache. But you also may have nudged another component, jumper, switch plug or connector in the process which is giving you trouble now. Removing cleaning and reseating any plug or connector you can (do the easiest ones first) may be helpful. That would include drives PSU and outboard (USB Keyboard mouse video etc) equipment which may not be connecting properly and aborting a POST.
 
I am assuming that when you switched processors, you did a clean install of the OS, and reviewed your BIOS settings to see it they fit the new system. A lot of people say that this is not necessary, and it is not a likely cause, but if you have a spare drive lying around installing a new test OS (either windows or one of the free Linux distros) would let you test for some weird incompatibility on the handoff from BIOS to OS.
 
Just for yucks try hitting the reset button instead of the power button on the second try. That would tell you that the board was energized but possibly stuck in some BIOS logic trap or memory glitch.

Forgot to mention the possibiltiy of a bad capacitor either onboard or in a peripheral that might not be reaching functional level of charge on the first run in time to clear the POST, but picks up enough juice to pass on the second try. If so, then unless you can actually see a cracked case or leaking electroylte, this is probably beyond your shop's capability. At least for an $80.00 fee. They may be able to narrow it down to the MB for you at least, and for not much more money than the diagnosis you can get a new one.
 
 

Well, the BIOS was up to date.  However, there was a newer Chipset.  I loaded the new drivers but alas, it did not fix the issue.  Hmmm...

Hey Scott - I think at one time I called Chris about this but life happened :-)

Yes, the only option allowed in the power options is for the monitor after 10 minutes.

Are there settings in the BIOS that would affect this behavior?

firebird - the power supply is an Antec Phantom 500 RT.  I will give the CMOS reset a try. BRB

Nope, CMOS reset didn't change things.

I know it's a hassle, but reinstalling the old CPU may be something to try to see if it is something with the new CPU that is causing the two power ons to get it to run.

It may be too late, but I recommend "modular" type power supplies.  It eliminates some unused power leads.