New build problems!

AStaley · 6 Aug 2011 at 22:04

Clear the CMOS with the switch on the board (or by removing the battery) and then leave the BIOS defaults as they are.

AStaley.

olivier renault · 6 Aug 2011 at 23:11

Yeah, you should have a "load fail-safe settings" sort of options in the BIOS. Or clearing CMOS should reset to factory settings.

If your drive is detected by the BIOS, then I would wager you'll need to change the SATA mode. I had that kind of problems with a SSD.

Robi · 7 Aug 2011 at 09:50

olivier renault said:
Yeah, you should have a "load fail-safe settings" sort of options in the BIOS. Or clearing CMOS should reset to factory settings.

If your drive is detected by the BIOS, then I would wager you'll need to change the SATA mode. I had that kind of problems with a SSD.

I'll clear the CMOS again and change the SATA mode.

Fingers crossed.

Robi · 7 Aug 2011 at 11:32

I changed a few settings and removed the keyboard, it managed to get to the Starting Setup... blue screen, then it froze. I think this is something to do with the BIOS settings / keyboard, causing it to mess up.

Any BIOS settings I should be looking to change?

AStaley · 7 Aug 2011 at 12:07

What mode do you have the HD's in? Try leaving them in IDE, instead of AHCI. If that doesn't work and you've burnt a new install disc then I think I would be going back to OC for an RMA.

Robi · 7 Aug 2011 at 13:25

Computer is completely ******. Tried absolutely everything to no avail.

Thanks to OcUK / Gigabyte, i'm guessing that i'll have to fund postage, new thermal paste and to wait around for 2-4 weeks? Cheers.

ExecutorKevin · 7 Aug 2011 at 13:39

they won't, It'll be done in less than a week, they send a courier out the next day, check it, swap it, and send it back with the thermal paste, so If you start tomorrow then you should get it back on thursday/friday I think If you pester them.

By the way that power supply is a little weak, I know it came with a case bundle but consider a lepa or something.

Robi · 7 Aug 2011 at 13:44

They send out a courier to collect it?

Robi · 11 Aug 2011 at 23:38

Just received the RMA back, what do you know, SAME ******* PROBLEM.

Why send another broken motherboard?

OcUK must be having a laugh if they think i'm paying for postage again and wasting more thermal paste.

Kraven · 11 Aug 2011 at 23:46

It's more likely it wasnt the motherboard after all, could be cpu or even ram not liking system.

Robi · 11 Aug 2011 at 23:48

Why would OcUK "test" the motherboard and determine it wouldn't post?

If it isn't the motherboard, they obviously lied. Nice.

Kraven · 12 Aug 2011 at 00:02

Hmm maybe you got extremely unlucky and oc have a bad batch, annoying though I feel your pain.

Robi · 12 Aug 2011 at 00:04

I purchased this build 2 weeks ago, I haven't even installed an OS yet.

AStaley · 12 Aug 2011 at 07:27

Very frustrating. Download the ISO for Ubuntu and burn that to a fresh CD, then see if that will install.

Also are you making any changes within the BIOS, what are those changes?

AStaley.

Robi · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:06

I ran Mersenne Prime Test from Ultimate Boot CD last night for 8 hours, I don't think it picked up any errors (as it was still running when I woke up).

I have ruled out:

1. HDD; I unplugged it and tried to boot, same problem.
2. GFX; Ran onboard and same problem.
3. RAM; Ran Memtest for 12 hours, no errors.
4. CPU; Ran Mersenne Prime Test for 8 hours, no errors.
5. OPTICAL; Purchased a brand new retail sata drive, same problem.

I doubt its the PSU.

When I turned the motherboard on for the first time today, I change the boot order to 1st CD-ROM and 2nd HDD. No other changes.

I then changed the SATA interface (or whatever it is) from IDE to ACHI, still didn't work. Loaded "Fail-Safe" option, still didn't work.

I just don't understand, the motherboard picks up the HDD and DVD-ROM, yet it refuses to install windows. Sigh.

The only thing I can think of is that its something to do with the multiplier or voltage, something like that.

jennidc · 12 Aug 2011 at 08:57

Boot

Install Linux Ubuntuu on a brand new CD

Boot from the CD into X-Windows

You should be able format the HDD from there (I would also repartition it just in case).

Then reboot and boot from the Windows CD and try it again.

**edit oh wow just noticed this was my 250th post I will finally discover the mysteries of the members marketplace!!!**

Robi · 12 Aug 2011 at 13:23

I'll try this Linux install when I get back from work.

I don't have high hopes as Windows XP doesn't work either and I installed that as a dual boot on my MacBook.

I can't have damaged the board via static, as surely it wouldn't even turn on. It's either another broken board (bad batch) or something else causing it to stop working. Unfortunately I have literally no idea what that is.

Thanks for the help, i'll report back later.

AStaley · 12 Aug 2011 at 13:50

Might also be worth your while taking a picture of your setup so we can see how the cables etc are connected. May not help, but the more information available the more likely it is that someone can help.

AStaley.

Robi · 12 Aug 2011 at 13:53

Yeah that sound's like a good idea.

TNGL · 12 Aug 2011 at 14:15

You say, "'Starting Windows' appears, then, absolutely nothing". Do you mean the screen just goes blank? If so, I've had this problem before, and after waiting for around 15 minutes it eventually proceeded with the install.

Also, have you tried doing a PXE install of Windows (installation over the network)?