GA-Z87X-OC with Memory Issues and booting

CyberSolutions

CyberSolutions

CyberSolutions

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Joined
12 Sep 2007
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26
Guys,

I'm having a few issues with my new build after retiring my old Q6600 Quad Core setup.

Here are the specs;

  • Cosair Carbide Air 540 Case
  • Gigabyte GA-Z87X-OC (BIOS version F6)
  • Intel Core i7 4700K Haswell CPU
  • Cosair 2x4GB Vengeance Pro (2133)
  • Cosair H100i Cooler
  • 128GB Samsung 840 PRO SSD
  • Antec Quattro 1000W PSU
  • Asus Nvidia 7800GTX GPU

On initial build, I could not get the build to boot at all, all fans would fire up, it would just show a blank screen, post code 19 on the LED display, then change to 15, still no display, then just shut down and start all over again, in a constant loop.

What I noticed is that on cold start all fans would fire, but on re-start and there after, the fan CPU_OPT would no longer fire up.

I had the two memory sticks inserted into slots DDR3_1 and DDR3_2 (orange slots) as recommended by the manual. When I removed the memory stick from DDR3_2 it now booted (although placing the memory stick into DDR3_3 also allowed it to boot).

All good so far, so I continue to install Windows 7 Ultimate edition, install drivers, Windows updates. The PC reboots, shows Gigabyte Ultra Durable splash screen, shows the Windows logo and just stays there, eventually after 2-3 minutes the PC reboots and the cycle starts again.

So I'm thinking that maybe the drivers or updates have somehow corrupted the OS, so I try to boot to Safe Mode and was successful, Restore to an earlier point and now have Windows back again.

So I carry on having to re-install drivers and Windows updates, this time I am successful, all good.

The next morning I boot up the PC, and the dreaded sticking at Windows logo problem has returned. I try Safe Mode again, the text of loading components is displayed and it just sticks there again for a few minutes, and just reboots again. I can no longer access Safe Mode either.

So, I think I have to install Windows again, so pop in the Windows 7 disc into the DVD Drive again, forget to press a key to initiate DVD ROM boot and Windows loads up just fine, go figure. This time I create a Restore Disc, and carry on. Install a few applications which force a reboot, all good.

The next morning again I try to boot the PC and the same thing, sticking at the Windows Logo screen. I try to get the damn thing to boot, no Safe Mode either. Then, all of a sudden it decides it will boot Windows after all after a hour of frustration.

I've noticed that sometimes it will stick at the Gigabyte splash screen for only a second or two, other times (usually when it will not boot Windows) it will stick for a good 15 - 20 seconds before deciding to boot.

At this point, I've no idea what the problem is, especially the RAM issue, I am thinking maybe I need to RMA this board after only owning for 3 days.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I figured the detail is important and it may help someone else who hits this problem

I should add the CPU temps have averaged around 25C.

I have cleared the CMOS by removing the battery but it has made no difference to operation.

Another thing to add, I built the exact same spec for a friend using the same parts two weeks ago (except for PSU and GPU), not a single problem.
 
wazza300 said:
Are you using an ssd at all? And a sandforce controlled ssd? Is it stable in the BIOS if so I would flash to latest BIOS first,then take it from there
Click to expand...

Hi - yes I'm using a 128GB Samsung 840 PRO SSD, not sure if it is sandforce controlled? It seems to be stable in the BIOS as far as I can see.

The current BIOS in the motherboard is F6, I believe this is the latest on the official website.
 
wazza - I forgot to mention that I also have a 1TB Samsung HDD connected to the motherboard with all my backups from my old system.

When you mentioned a possible problem with the SSD it reminded me that when I can get Windows to boot, my 1TB HDD would not show in My Computer and Intel Rapid Storage Technology utility in my system tray would report a problem with the HDD, saying it could not utilise SMART function for it. It would allow me to 'supress' the SMART function for the drive, and then it would appear in My Computer ready for use.

So I removed the HDD, and bingo, motherboard boots rapidly every time.

I think the settings for 'supress' SMART are lost each time I do a Windows Update which is constant right now, this would explain why sometimes it would boot.

I will now try to resolve the memory issue, and as you suggested try the XMP profile.
 
Okay - I managed to select Profile 1 from within the XMP settings and noticed the following changes;

Memory Freq of 1333 now 2133
DDR Volt of 1.50v now 1.65v

I then tried the DDR3_1 and DDR3_2 (orange slots) designations again, but still not booting.
 
Right - I removed the 7800GTX GPU and attached my monitor via the motherboards inbuilt GPU HDMI port.

I then tried to insert the memory sticks into the correct dual channels (orange slots) and again no boot, it fires up, LED code goes to 15, stays there for a few seconds and then tries to boot again in a constant loop.

Problem is definitely pointing to the motherboard, it just concerns me that I will not be able to use all four slots on the motherboard.

Is it time to RMA?
 
Nelly said:
I guess you already tried this, but try with just one stick of RAM? Maybe only one stick is faulty?
Click to expand...

I did Nelly, I should add that at the moment both sticks are in slot 1 (Orange) and slot 3 (Black), I'm getting 8GB but obviously not dual channel.

It just don't like it when I move the stick from slot 3 to slot 2 where it is supposed to be for dual channel.
 
Okay,

I tried just one stick in all four slots, and this is what the results were;

Slot 1 (Orange) - Boots
Slot 3 (Black) - Boots
Slot 2 (Orange) - No Boot (Code 15)
Slot 4 (Black) - No Boot (Code 15)

Wazza, you definitely have a point about CPU pins, I'm going to check that next, sheesh, time to get the thermal paste cleaner out again.
 
tipes said:
Any update on your problems - been following this.

Mark
Click to expand...

Mark - not yet, unfortunately I had to work this weekend, and being self-employed means I need this PC working as I am a software programmer.

The plan is to remove the motherboard on Sunday night, so I will post more then.

I will not leave the thread cold like so many do and will conclude it either way to show appreciation on the help.
 
Chaps,

Well I finally got to the bottom of the memory issues with this board and have to say that wazza was right on the money.

I removed the motherboard from the case on Sunday night. When I removed the CPU I did notice that something did not look right with one of the pins. It was hard to tell without magnification or the right lighting, but for sure one of the pins looked either bent or out of alignment.

Large Pic 1

Large Pic 2

damaged_socket_3.jpg


How this has happened is beyond me, to say I was very careful and cautious when placing the CPU into the socket is an understatement. I should also add that when I first got the motherboard, when I was plugging in the fans, I noticed that the CPU_FAN and CPU_OPT header pins were also bent outward about 2mm or 3mm. Rather than just return the motherboard over something so petty, I simply use a pair of tweezers to straighten them out.

I must state that this particular motherboard was not purchased from Overclockers, but from another well known large retailer local to me.

So I took the motherboard into the customer services department, and the member of staff at the desk takes the motherboard out of the box and checks it over. He notices right away the bent pin and tells me that I am not covered for this kind of damage since I did not buy insurance.

I state that I had not damaged the pin, that I had been very cautious, I also asked him if that was the case why was only one pin damaged? Surely it would be a few in the area given the density of these things? The staff member also states that he has never seen a motherboard come from factory with a damaged pin.

I am also informed that he gets this all the time, customers damaging the pins and claiming they had not done it. I was then given the option of returning the motherboard back to Gigabyte to replace the CPU socket, at a cost of £24 plus postage.

I was reluctant to do this, and annoyed that I have been sold a damaged motherboard.

Finally, he offers to give the motherboard to an engineer in the workshop who has some success straightening pins on motherboards, and he may be able to straighten it, but he makes me sign a disclaimer first. I sign the disclaimer and he disappears for ten minutes.

He eventually returns, and I am expecting bad news so was very surprised when he said they were going to exchange it on the warranty.

My only guess is that the engineer saw the damaged pin and declared that it not possible that I could have done it, that it must be a factory quality control problem.

The lesson here I have learned here is to always check the CPU socket pins before installation, and do not accept a motherboard even with the slightest of damage (i.e. the CPU fan header pins).

All good yes? No, I install the new motherboard and the exact same problem, I cannot believe it.

So I check BIOS, F3, update to F6 - no change. I set XMP to Profile 1, no change.

If I can muster the strength I may check the CPU socket pins again, however I did check before installing CPU and they looked perfect.
 
Last edited:
wazza300 said:
Gigabyte have no qualms repairing damaged CPU sockets,I can tell you that for a fact,if it were me I would have pulled that pin back into place with a fine sewing needle and a magnifying glass

If its doing the same on a new board you need to check CPU socket again,also make sure the CPU heatsink isn't overtightened as that can cause the same issue
Click to expand...

Wazza - yes I'll have to remove the motherboard again and check the pins. I'm using a Cosair 100i, and I have to admit that I'm not convinced the cooler clamps firm enough to the cpu. I cannot feel much tension on the four screws when tightening.

When installing the CPU though, the clamp for that does feel like its real tight, maybe a bit too tight.
 
Guys - just to give an update and finally a conclusion to this memory debacle.

I removed the motherboard again and checked the pins on the CPU socket, but they looked perfect and I could not see any pins out of alignment.

I then used cotton buds and IPA solution to clean the contact pads under the CPU, re-seated the CPU into the socket, re-applied thermal paste/cooler and connected everything back up.

That seemed to do the trick, as I now have my memory working just great in memory slots 1 and 2.

Thanks to everyone for their help, in particular wazza for educating me about CPU pins and the effect it can have on memory slots/sticks.
 
BeelzebubUK said:
Thanks for this post.

I'm building a new PC with a H61 Gigabyte motherboard. It only has 2 memory slots and if I used slot 2 it would beep repetitively and go into an infinite boot loop. If I only used slot 1 then it booted fine and I could install Windows. I thought the memory slot was faulty.

I checked the pins and one of them looked slightly misaligned so carefully teased it back into line and also cleaned the CPU with isopropyl and now it boots fine with both memory sticks in. I am very relieved. Thankyou.
Click to expand...

Awesome! I'm glad the thread came in useful for you, makes it all worth the effort.
 
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