EVGA X79 SLI BIOS issues?

[ApertureAce]

This is an entirely new build. The issue I'm having is that each time I power the board, the post code B2 appears. This is the only post code. Also, when the board is reset entirely, the start-up screen appears . It gives the option for setup (F1) or use current value (F2). When pressing either F1, or F2, it completely freezes up, and the old post code B2 will appear. Does anyone have any idea what this issue is?

System Specs:
Motherboard: EVGA X79 SLI
CPU: Intel Core i7 - 3930k LGA2011
GPU: ASUS Geforce GTX 780

More to be provided on request. Any help at all would be much appreciated.

 

[Tradesman1]

Do you have the latest BIOS? Might want to try a hard reset (use the reset jumper on the mobo, instructions in manual), then see if you can get into the BIOS, reset the time and date, and then try to get going - think go to BIOS is F2 maybe DEL

 

[ApertureAce]

Do you have the latest BIOS? Might want to try a hard reset (use the reset jumper on the mobo, instructions in manual), then see if you can get into the BIOS, reset the time and date, and then try to get going - think go to BIOS is F2 maybe DEL

Do you mean the CMOS reset/clear button?

 

[Tradesman1]

That's fine, yes

 

[ApertureAce]

That's fine, yes

Yeah, I've already tried that. After resetting, the post code goes from B4 to B2 and freezes up. No BIOS, it just stays on that same screen. After a while, the screen will change to what looks to be a command prompt with with the flashing underscore. Of course nothing can be typed. On the original screen though, it states, "CMOS checksun error, press <F1>, <F2> to load default value. Both yield the same result when pressed... screen locking up, and post code changes to B2.

 

[Tradesman1]

Disconnect all but Graphics card, 1 stick of DRAM, keyboard, mouse and CPU (no drives, no usb devices), check power connections on all,especially the CPU/ATX power on the mobo and the 20+4 power to the mobo and try to BIOS

 

[Tradesman1]

If that goes nowhere, may want to bench it and troubleshoot, there's an info thread I wrote that might help here:

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=11279

 

[ApertureAce]

Disconnect all but Graphics card, 1 stick of DRAM, keyboard, mouse and CPU (no drives, no usb devices), check power connections on all,especially the CPU/ATX power on the mobo and the 20+4 power to the mobo and try to BIOS

Checked main power supply (24 pin connector) and one of the pins are missing... the wire just isn't even connected through it... there is nothing there at all

 

[ApertureAce]

If that goes nowhere, may want to bench it and troubleshoot, there's an info thread I wrote that might help here:

http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=11279

Ahh well, thanks for the help! I really appreciate it. I'll keep working on it.

 

[Tradesman1]

Do you have or can you borrow another PSU?

 

[jaquith]

Checked main power supply (24 pin connector) and one of the pins are missing... the wire just isn't even connected through it... there is nothing there at all

The newer PSU's generally have one (1) missing pin (#20). Next, make sure that the CPU 8-pin, Main 24-pin, and Single stick of RAM are properly seated and connected, use the following DIMM slot: | empty | empty | CPU | X RAM | empty |.

Further, I would temporarily remove any USB, Front Panel, etc wiring and if necessary remove the MOBO from its case and 'breadboard' the system on top of the e.g. MOBO Box. Use the onboard Power Button. To properly 'Clear CMOS' requires that you unplug the PSU for ~5 minutes for any residual power to be drained and then depress the 'Clear CMOS' button for ~5+ seconds.

Q - What onboard LED's (pg 25) are 'on'?

Manual (codes pg 29-31) - http://www.evga.com/support/manuals/files/132-SE-E775.pdf

 

[ApertureAce]

Checked main power supply (24 pin connector) and one of the pins are missing... the wire just isn't even connected through it... there is nothing there at all

The newer PSU's generally have one (1) missing pin (#20). Next, make sure that the CPU 8-pin, Main 24-pin, and Single stick of RAM are properly seated and connected, use the following DIMM slot: | empty | empty | CPU | X RAM | empty |.

Further, I would temporarily remove any USB, Front Panel, etc wiring and if necessary remove the MOBO from its case and 'breadboard' the system on top of the e.g. MOBO Box. Use the onboard Power Button. To properly 'Clear CMOS' requires that you unplug the PSU for ~5 minutes for any residual power to be drained and then depress the 'Clear CMOS' button for ~5+ seconds.

Q - What onboard LED's (pg 25) are 'on'?

Manual (codes pg 29-31) - http://www.evga.com/support/manuals/files/132-SE-E775.pdf

All 3 LEDs are are lit when the machine is powered. Also, the RAM card is now in the port you told me to place it in. Still yielding the same results.

 

[jaquith]

If you're using something like a Corsair H100 HSF then you must use the correct LGA 2011 standoff's otherwise the CPU has a gap between the HSF and CPU -- the pin looks like =|== not ==|==.

Q - What HSF?
Q - Is the HSF fan connected to the CPU_Header?
Q - Did you try to breadboard?

HSF = Heat Sink Fan

 

[ApertureAce]

If you're using something like a Corsair H100 HSF then you must use the correct LGA 2011 standoff's otherwise the CPU has a gap between the HSF and CPU -- the pin looks like =|== not ==|==.

Q - What HSF?
Q - Is the HSF fan connected to the CPU_Header?
Q - Did you try to breadboard?

HSF = Heat Sink Fan

A - HSF is Enermax CPU Cooler TDP 200W+ ETS-T40
A - Yes, and the HSF is making contact with the CPU with thermal compound.
A - I have yet to try breadboard as I was told that one can short out their board that way as the case grounds the machine.

 

[jaquith]

A - I have yet to try breadboard as I was told that one can short out their board that way as the case grounds the machine.

Not true unless you use something silly like using a metal baking pan for the bed. In the recent past I was an avid hobby system builder and never would I go through all of the trouble of building a custom loop(s) without extensive breadboarding tests and benchmarks. Here's NewEgg's 'How to Build' showing a breadboard - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=d_56kyib-Ls#t=1243s

Quickly looking only the Enermax ETS-T40-TA and Enermax ETS-T40-TB are listed for LGA 2011; in most cases you do not need the backplate and since the height is slightly different (every one I've seen) you need to use LGA 2011 specific standoffs. Often looking like =|== vs ==|==.

 

[ApertureAce]

A - I have yet to try breadboard as I was told that one can short out their board that way as the case grounds the machine.

Not true unless you use something silly like using a metal baking pan for the bed. In the recent past I was an avid hobby system builder and never would I go through all of the trouble of building a custom loop(s) without extensive breadboarding tests and benchmarks. Here's NewEgg's 'How to Build' showing a breadboard - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=d_56kyib-Ls#t=1243s

Quickly looking only the Enermax ETS-T40-TA and Enermax ETS-T40-TB are listed for LGA 2011; in most cases you do not need the backplate and since the height is slightly different (every one I've seen) you need to use LGA 2011 specific standoffs. Often looking like =|== vs ==|==.

Okay, so my problem is mostly solved. I went ahead and bought a cheap little $50 graphics card from Best Buy (Galaxy Geforce GT 610), and now I can actually get into BIOS. My only issue now is, is there a way to update the BIOS, so that it would be compatible with the Geforce GTX 780 that I have?

 

[jaquith]

Okay, so my problem is mostly solved. I went ahead and bought a cheap little $50 graphics card from Best Buy (Galaxy Geforce GT 610), and now I can actually get into BIOS. My only issue now is, is there a way to update the BIOS, so that it would be compatible with the Geforce GTX 780 that I have?

The GTX 700 series should work and if it doesn't then chances are you have a bad GPU assuming your PSU is adequately sized. A problem that does come up is PCIe 3.0 support on the LGA 2011/SB-E which can require an updated BIOS and in some cases the 'force enable' app from nVidia - http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3135

Use GPU-z while you GPU is under load, not idle, and verify PCIe 3.0; GPU-z - http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/SysInfo/GPU-Z/ ; you'll see a Bus Interface "?" and click the "?" to run a quick render.

For the latest BIOS (v 047) click the link and input your MOBO information - http://www.evga.com/support/download/
Only Flash your BIOS using the USB method as illustrated in this link - http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=1142390

 

[ara_430]

If you found a fix please share. I also have the same board but with a GTX 760. When I couldn't post I called technical support and they told me that they also could not get their 780s and 770s to post. They told me it was a compatibility issue with the and that they would release a new bios update soon after Labor Day. Now I'm just waiting with my old 580