another problem with a ga-z97x-ud3h-bk

rangor gubbins

rangor gubbins

rangor gubbins

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hi,
I recently bought a gigabyte z97z ud3h bk from OCUK but since putting the system together I've been having constant problems with it detecting drives (SSD and HDD). I've updated the bios to the latest (F7) but that has not helped.
The fault is intermitent as sometimes the computer will boot no problem (especially if its a reboot i.e. 'warm' but not always) but it also reguarly fails to boot and this appears to be due to it failing to detect the boot drive (an OCZ 120GB Vertex 2E SSD). When it does succeed in booting Windows asks to launch recovery mode as it thinks it has failed to load, which seems odd as the boot didn't even get that far.
After a failed boot, I enter the bios and the SSD is either not detected at all and i need to restart again, or the boot settings have mysteriously changed (e.g. from 'legacy mode' to 'UEFI mode', or from 'Windows 8 CMS always off' to 'CMS on'). I've been trying different sata disk modes to see if helps - it doesn't seem to.
I've also had a few occasions of BSOD for unknown reasons. But apart from that the PC runs very well. Temps and voltages all seem fine with the CPU ranging from just over ambient to 55 under full load (prime95 stress test). No problems running games or stress tests for CPU, RAM and GPU.

Can you offer any advice? What to try next? SSD problem or is the board shagged?
The SSD ran fine for years on my old MSI P35 Neo2-FR

Complete system is:
CPU - i5 4670K
Cooler - Prolimatech Megahalems
mobo - ga-z97x ud3h bk
RAM - TeamGroup Xtreem LV "Frost Edition" 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit
PSU - SuperFlower Golden Green HX 750W "80 Plus Gold" Semi-Modular PSU
Case - Lian Li PC 7HX
HDDs - Samsung HD103SJ (updated to latest firmware as was not detected by motherboard), WD 1003FZEX, and a WD 10EZEX
SSDs - OCZ 120GB Vertex 2E (primary), and Kingston SVP200+

Cheers for any help.
 
If your SSD uses the Sand Force (SF-12xx) controller.

Than they dont work with Z87+97.

Get a new SSD.
 
Arrgh, the OCZ uses a SandForce 1222 controller.
How come it's working a bit then? Once I manage to boot into windows it seems to run fine.
I really hope that's all it is. At least thats a lot easier than a new board. Have to decide if its worth looking into using the m2 connection on the board or just get another SATA.
 
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The OCZ uses a Sandforce 1222 controller which is why its problematic.

The Kingston V200+ uses a Sandforce 2281 which should work fine.

Try the Kingston as a boot drive without the OCZ and see if it works all the time, then if it does its going to 99.9% be the OCZ and its controller at fault.
 
I had the same issue with the OCZ Vertex 2E drive. It took me a while but I found a lot of articles about the Sandforce 1222 controller not being compatible with Z97 boards. Including one on this very forum! Bought a SanDisk 240GB and it works a treat!
 
It's also worth trying with fast boot disabled. This helped for me, but as documented in another thread this board has many quirks.
 
So I've removed the OCZ drive and installed windows onto a temporary Crucial BX100. All is workiing fine now so at least that seems to be the problem resolved. Many thanks for the heads up on the sandforce controller on the vertex 2 problems with z97. And that is exactly why I use these forums and why I shop at OCUK - best tech advice on the web!!

I'm currently building my girlfriend a PC with a B85 chipset. Will it have the same issues with the OCZ vertex? If not I will add it into her PC as a spare bit of drive space.
 
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