Can't boot from any device other than HDD - ASRock 970 Extreme4

[almighty_fsm]

First of all, I apologize if this is a poorly explained issue or just a novice repetitive one at that. Nonetheless, I just built a new computer centered on the ASRock 970 Extreme4 and I’m unable to boot via any device other than my SATA hard drive. This is odd because I installed Windows 7 64x from my Windows 7 DVD without any issues. The machine was functioning well but I was unhappy with my initial Windows setup and wanted to re-install. This is where my trouble began. I CANNOT boot from any DVD or USB device no matter what boot sequence I choose.

1st scenario, I press F2 on startup to enter BIOS and elect to boot either USB or SATA DVD (first/second), SATA HDD (third), save my changes and exit. (Both USB and DVD contain bootable Windows drives that have been used in the past.) This has no effect; the computer loads Windows as normal…

2nd scenario, I enter the BIOS as before and remove the SATA HDD from the boot options leaving only the DVD/USB devices. This results in an endless boot/reboot cycle where I’m asked to, “Press any key to boot from device”. No matter what, this message quickly disappears and the computer reboots and displays the message again…

3rd scenario I press F11 on startup and choose to boot from DVD/USB, (anything other than my HDD). This does nothing but load the Winblows startup screen...

Also, I've never seen a ASRock post screen load. What's up with that?

What am I doing wrong? Did I wire something incorrectly as far as having the drives on different SATA cables? Everything else functions flawlessly so far.

Hardware:
AMD Phenom II X4 965
ASUS EAH6670/DIS/1GD5
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB 2 x 4GB
Segate Barracuda ST31000528AS
SILVERSTONE Strider Plus ST50F-P 500W
(There is more, but I don't think it's relevant.)

 

[dodger46]

Did something change on the Storage Configuration page in UEFI? Perhaps IDE mode changed to AHCI? Are both HDD and DVD visible? Try plugging the HDD and DVD into different SATA ports, see if that helps

 

[almighty_fsm]

Nothing changed on the Storage Configuration page that I know of, in fact I set it to default. I'll double check though. I'll also try hooking up different SATA ports as well and respond with results. Thank you for your reply!

 

[dodger46]

Nothing changed on the Storage Configuration page that I know of, in fact I set it to default. I'll double check though. I'll also try hooking up different SATA ports as well and respond with results. Thank you for your reply!

So SATA Mode should be set to IDE, shouldn't cause any problems. Provided both devices are 'seen' all should be good to go, unless your UEFI became corrupt somehow. BIOS update here
http://www.asrock.com/mb/download.asp?Model=970%20Extreme4&o=BIOS

 

[TenPc]

PSU?

Set the DVD drive as Prinmary boot, then you select the dvd drive as first boot (it's in a different tab option). You have to SAVE and EXIT.

If ther is no disk in the dvd drive it will revert to the next bootable device, if any.

 

[almighty_fsm]

TenPc, I'm familiar with the steps you provided and I honestly think that would fix my problem had I not been dealing with a untraditional BIOS menu.
This is what it looks like for me. I prefer the old way.
http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/1908/ASRock%20Z77%20Extreme4%20BIOS%2019%20-%20Boot.png
(Not a screenshot from my actual system.)

PSU - Strider Plus 500W ST50F-P

 

[almighty_fsm]

dodger46, I updated my BIOS to P2.30 via the link you provided and that was successful. However nothing has changed. I did connect my HDD and DVD to different SATA ports as well. Still, nothing.

 

[TenPc]

These new fan-dangled UEFI's, they are rather hard to get used to, they also drag on the PSU output. I think you need to post your own images of your own PC to get a better picture of how you have the configuration.

There is a lot of things that I think it might be but I'd only be guessing and would get shot down way to much for even suggesting them 🙁

Did you happen to use a RAID configuraiton in the previous install?

 

[dodger46]

TenPc, I'm familiar with the steps you provided and I honestly think that would fix my problem had I not been dealing with a untraditional BIOS menu.
This is what it looks like for me. I prefer the old way.
http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/1908/ASRock%20Z77%20Extreme4%20BIOS%2019%20-%20Boot.png

PSU - Strider Plus 500W ST50F-P

So you have an SSD as well as an HDD? From your image the SSD is set to AHCI, and is your 1st boot device, when you want your DVD 1st? Doesn't add up if you set SATA to IDE... and to use an SSD efficiently you should be in AHCI anyway. What do you see if you expand Hard Drive BBS properties? Can you set the order of the drives?

 

[almighty_fsm]

TenPc, I will post pictures of my configuration this afternoon when I get back to this butt-whipping. I'm interested to read your ideas as I'm completely out of my own. I didn't use a RAID configuration and I won't down vote you for trying to help. Thanks

 

[almighty_fsm]

dodger46, I'm sorry to mislead you but the link I posted is not an actual screenshot of my system. I didn't even think to say that, but I'm exhausted from tinkering with this thing and maybe I'm just getting sloppy because it's almost 4am. Uuugh. I will post actual screenshots as soon as I get back to this mess in the morning.

Thanks again for all the assistance guys!!

 

[TenPc]

Post them as inline images rather than links.

 

[almighty_fsm]

Gotta help a friend move right now so I won't be posting any BIOS images this afternoon as I said I would. Will do ASAP.

 

[TenPc]

Okay, no rush, we might figure out the problem without those images (probably not though).

As best as I can figure the video card has no support power connector so all its power is being drawn through the motherboard. Interface PCI Express 2.1 x16
http://uk.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/AMD_Series/EAH6670DIS1GD5/#specifications
The motherboard PCIe is only version 2.0, the video card requires 2.1, I still think that despite backward compatibility, it could impact on the video card and he PCIe slot, and possibly boot up (for some obscure reason).

Your 500 Watt PSU might be considered as suitable however, +12V rail with 34A might not be enough to power all of your hardware, the 12v rail should be in excess of 44 amps (I'd rather something like 48 to 52 amps, personally).

Silverstone Strider Plus ST50F-P, 500W ATX PSU, Active PFC, Black
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=392374
It also states that it is not SLI ready, no extra video card.

This could be your problem.

Solution?
Get a video card that has its own dedicated a power connector cable and is 2.1 compliant. The psu is more than 650 watts, the ram is in the QVL List, and there is no overclocked anything.

 

[almighty_fsm]

I finally got it to boot from the disc after restricting all other boot options including UEFI which I was hesitant to disable at first.
TenPc and dodger46, you have been super helpful. I'm sorry it took so long to reply but I've since been having other issues that have kept me offline. In short I'll just say, NEVER buy a Seagate HDD!

 

[TenPc]

Thanks for replying, although we didn't solve your issue, your persistence in solving it yourself has helped us to use this information in other related instance.

Keep us posted if anything else occurs or post anew thread.
Good luck and happy PCing!