NEW BUILD PROBLEMS: Incompatible or faulty components?...

[T-800]

Built this rig two days ago -- using the 850w PSU from my previous machine (which was working fine the day before) -- but whenever I switch it on, it'll power off after about two seconds, then power on again, and repeat indefinitely, until I switch off the PSU at the back.

Here are the specs:

Gigabyte X99-Gaming 5P Intel X99 (Socket 2011) DDR4 EATX Motherboard...

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...ket-2011-ddr4-eatx-motherboard-mb-515-gi.html

Intel i7-5820K 3.30GHz (Haswell-E) Socket LGA2011-V3 Processor...

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/inte...rocessor-retail-bx80648i75820k-cp-546-in.html

Panram Ninja-V 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit…

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/panr...l-kit-black-pud43200c1616g2njk-my-010-pr.html

Is everything here compatible with each other?

I did wonder about the RAM, as it says "CPU Compatibility: Intel Skylake (LGA 1151)" and "Chipset: Intel Z170", but spoke with someone on the Sales team at Overclockers before ordering, who assured me that it would be fine with any X99 (Socket 2011) board. In case it is something to do with the PSU -- which is a good 10 years old now -- I've ordered a Corsair HX850i.

Any ideas?

 

[T-800]

Check that the two memory sticks are in the correct position for Dual Channel, in what is really a Quad Channel motherboard. The manual should indicate which slots are for Dual.

I can confirm that I've installed the DIMMs into the correct slots for Dual Channel configuration, as per the manual.

Is the RAM running at XMP settings? i.e. 3200MHz or default 2133MHz?

At the risk of asking a stupid question; how would I find out what speed the RAM is running at? Unfortunately, the rig doesn't power on long enough to get to the POST screen...

Are you using a video card with it?

I'm using an nVidia 590 GTX. I've tried switching the PC on with and without the GFX card plugged in, and it behaves the same way.

 

[T-800]

Tried just one stick?

Yup. No difference.

Re-seating CPU and checking for any bent pins might be worth a try too.

Done this, too. No cigar.

Cool. As that CPU doesn't have integrated graphics, I wonder if it's interesting that it behaves the same way with or without. Not necessarily, just thinking out loud. I mean, you won't get POST without a GPU but maybe the symptoms should be different?

Symptoms were the same with or without the GPU.

Also - clear CMOS if you haven't done so already.

Did this by removing the battery for a few minutes, as there was no "CLR CMOS" button, like on my old motherboard. Again, same ol', same ol'.

Other things to try... build out of case in case something is shorting it inside it.

Haven't done this yet, but am starting to wonder if there's any point, and perhaps I should just RMA the lot back to Overlockers?

What model/spec PSU? Also cross check everything is plugged in tight & securely.

My old PSU is a Turbo-Cool 850 SSI. The new Corsair HX850i hasn't make a difference.

 

[T-800]

I don't know if it's worth mentioning, but when I switch on the PSU -- but not the PC -- the tiny "FBIOS LED" on the motherboard blinks on, then goes off, and stays off. Should it stay on, or is it behaving correctly? If it should stay on, would this suggest the motherboard isn't receiving power correctly?

 

[T-800]

As mentioned above, update the BIOS to F2f version and it should then support 16GB Sticks.

http://www.gigabyte.com/webpage/20/images/utiltiy_qflash_uefi.pdf

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5281#bios

Spoken to the guys at Overclockers. They've also said I'll need to update the BIOS, as the motherboard won't accept 16GB DIMMs without the update. Only problem is, I won't be able to perform the update without at least one DIMM of 4GB DDR4 RAM, as the system won't stay on. So, I've placed my order, and will hopefully be able to resolve this next week.

 

[T-800]

Is there any reason you want 16GB sticks ? I would just go with a 4 x 8GB Kit then you get Quad channel rather than Dual.

Also you don't need mega fast Ram. A 2400MHz kit will perform just as good.

Apparently, the Gigabyte X99-Gaming 5P motherboard supports up to 128GB of RAM (8x DIMM slots total), which I was hoping to take advantage of, as I do a lot of motion picture / visual effects work, which can be pretty RAM intensive.

 

[T-800]

Well in that case carry on

Why, thank you, dear Sir.

But of a nubbin question, but should I install this Corsair PSU with its fan pointing up, or down? I have it mounted at the bottom of my case, and a metal bracket is supposed to secure it in place, but not sure if that should be obstructing the fan or not...

 

[T-800]

Strange. It should work.

Would you point me in the direction of a guide I could follow to try this out?

 

[T-800]

http://www.gigabytenordic.com/update-bios-using-q-flash-plus-x99-motherboards/

This should help. You might have to remove your CPU / ram / graphics to prevent it from restarting though. As it seems it will update on its own you shouldnt need to press anything / need graphics

Alright. Because I just copied the X99G5P.F2f file to a FAT32 formatted thumb drive, renamed it to "gigabyte.bin" (is it case sensitive?), plugged it into the BIOS USB port at the back, and it did nothing other than what it's been doing since the get-go. I did have the GPU, CPU and RAM installed, though...

 

[T-800]

Removed both DIMMs of RAM and the GPU, and it's still switching on, then off, etc. Only thing left in is the CPU and the Noctua D14 cooler.

 

[T-800]

Would it matter that I formatted my thumb drive to FAT32 using a Mac? And would altering the extension from .F2f to .BIN on a Mac cause any problems?

It's almost as if the motherboard doesn't detect the thumb drive...

Should the thumb drive be named anything specific?

 

[T-800]

Tried the older X99G5P.F1 BIOS file as well, and no change.

 

[T-800]

Not sure about the capitals. Cant hurt trying?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWbARq8xCo this video shows a guy doing it. It does appear the board shuts off but the F light keeps blinking are you sure that is not happning?

My board doesn't have that F light, but the FBIOS LED on the motherboard only ever blinks on, then turns off and stays off when I flick the power switch to on, on the back of the PSU.

 

[T-800]

I would try taking it all out of the case just power the motherboard from the powersupply with nothing in it (no cpu ext) and see if you can get it to do the bios update. If you cant i would try another powersupply if you have one spare or can borrow one from another pc. Failing that it sounds like a dead motherboard.

I'll try building it out of the case tomorrow, and see if that makes a difference. I've tried the build with two different PSUs so far; the first was my 10 year old Turbo-Cool 850 SSI, and the second a brand new Corsair HX850i.

 

[T-800]

It had just occurred to me that I could disable the CPU by unplugging the 8 pin power cable from the motherboard, as opposed to having to go through the whole rigmarole of physically removing both the cooler and CPU. So, I've just done that, and switched the PC on with the thumb drive in the BIOS USB 3.0 port, and it looks like it's finally updating the BIOS. The FBIOS LED has been blinking wildly, and is now solid...

 

[T-800]

i think once its solid its done.. Any progress?

The FBIOS LED is still solid. I think the guy in that video said not to remove the thumb drive until the LED goes out...

 

[T-800]

OK, he says if the LED stops blinking or turns off...

 

[T-800]

Managed to get the BIOS update installed, but now can't install Windows 7 from my genuine Windows 7 64-bit installation DVD. It just crashes on the Windows 7 wallpaper, and doesn't give me an option to do anything.

 

[T-800]

Should have just stuck with ASUS...

 

[T-800]

I am following your thread T-800...and feel for you.
I am sure you will get there in the end...
Out of interest..what SP version of Win 7 are you installing from?

I'm at the point where I just want to RMA the lot, get an ASUS motherboard, and maybe a different manufacturer's RAM, as ASUS mobos in this price bracket don't seem to accept anymore than 64GB.

My Windows 7 DVD was issued in 2009, so it'll be whatever service pack that was.