Faulty Motherboard/BIOS duo at boot, but can't figure exact cause

[atthebios]

(My setup is:
Motherboard: Gigabyte B75M-D3H - with backup BIOS
Processor: i5-3330).

Some months ago, my computer started rebooting out of nowhere.

This had happened before because of the PSU. I bought a new PSU (as well as a new case), to no avail.

I ran memtest, took my GPU out, and booted from a pen drive without connecting my HDD - still rebooted.

The problem has now stabilized, and looks like this:

1) If the computer does not reboot in the first 5-10 minutes, it will simply not reboot anymore. It just stabilizes. I can remain using it for hours. The programs run normally, without issues.

2) The boot itself is quite random. Sometimes I will try to boot and the BIOS won't stop short beeping. Sometimes, it will give a single continuous beep. And, rarely, it boots. Only to restart later, in most cases.

3) When it actually boots, it:
a) may show the latest bios version that I have installed;
b) may show the bios version that came with the MoBo; (least frequent)
c) may show nothing, and the screen becomes active when Windows kicks in.

4) The reboots may occur while Windows is loading, is loaded, or when I'm already logged in and running applications.

5) Before I had installed the new version, I wanted to plug my speakers once. I had my headphone on the front panel, so I plugged it in the back panel. The system crashed immediately. Also, the sound would come from both ends (headphone and speaker would play sound at the same time despite software configurations). This doesn't happen anymore with the updated BIOS/drivers.

6) It seems that you have to short-circuit the main BIOS in order to boot from the backup BIOS with these Gigabyte dual-BIOS MoBos. But, when I try short-circuiting the main BIOS (and I've tried all recommended short-circuits that I have seen on the web - pins 4/7, 1/6, 5/6), it just doesn't boot. It doesn't do anything, actually. Just keeps rebooting before even beeping. (may be because I am no expert on short-circuiting).

7) Hour and date are always correct when I manage to boot, even without internet connection.

So, what could be the problem?
And a solution for it? 😛
I have had this setup for a bit less than 4 years by now.
Thanks for helping.

 

[cin19]

Take out your GPU, and the RAM, and boot drive, clear the CMOS. The boot the PC. What happens? The PC boots or not.

 

[atthebios]

I've taken out these components and cleared the CMOS (using the jumpers) as you said.
The following happens:

The case lights go on,
It tests the fan to maximum speed,

Then, it won't stop short beeping.
After a certain time beeping (that seemed regular), it turns off and restarts a few moments later.

 

[cin19]

Check those beep code from the motherboard manual, if the beep code related to no RAM, that means the CPU and MB are fine, then add the RAM back to see the PC will boot or not.

 

[atthebios]

The amount of beeps before reboot seems to be around 40. They lack a specific pattern, that is, they don't occur in groups of 3, 4, or 5 etc. The short interval between all of them is the same.

I looked up the beep code for that in two different sites for AMI bios (http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml and http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/amibeep.htm) - but, sadly for me, neither specified a meaning for continuous beeping.

I then proceeded to add the RAM and HDD again.

I rebooted my computer five times without the GPU and in all of them it booted correctly, without rebooting.

I added the GPU and, within 5 minutes of being on, it rebooted. I tried putting it more firmly in the PCE slot, booted it again and it ended up rebooting again. 🙁

Could it perhaps be a bad connection at the PCE port? Would it cause these issues? I have to say that the GPU is slightly big, relative to the MoBo; and its internal end, that is not supported by a screw, seems to be (very slightly) slanted. I just shook vigorously my case for a while, though, and it did not reboot. I must add that I used it for some weeks without GPU and it also started rebooting then.

My only certainty is the fact that it stabilizes if it does not reboot after 5-10 minutes. If it stays stable for that time, then it won't reboot.

In any case, it seems that this Clear Cmos tool you recommended has done something. Modern mid-range motherboards are indeed quite resourceful.

In any case, I've taken the GPU out. I'll post the state of affairs after using it some more days.

Thanks for your help so far!

 

[cin19]

I rebooted my computer five times without the GPU and in all of them it booted correctly, without rebooting.

I added the GPU and, within 5 minutes of being on, it rebooted. I tried putting it more firmly in the PCE slot, booted it again and it ended up rebooting again. 🙁

That means either the GPU or PSU had problem. Test the GPU in other PC, or try other PSU.

Next, what are your GPU or PSU?

 

[atthebios]

My GPU is a GTX 1060 6gb by Zotac.
https://www.zotac.com/download/files/styles/w1024/public/product_gallery/graphics_cards/zt-p10610a-10l_image5.jpg

I bought it last October/2016. My computer worked fine with it at first, reboots began May/2017. I have to say that it is slightly bulky for my MoBo.

I actually replaced my PSU, because my first guess was a faulty PSU. My PSU was a Corsair 750W and it is now an EVGA 650W.

 

[cin19]

1) Does the MB have the newer BIOS? if it does not, try update it.
2) Check the gtx1060 fan works or not, because if the fan does not work, the GPU is overheat, which can cause reboot the PC. When you plug the gtx1060 into the MB, press the power button, check the GPU fan to see it can spin or not, even the PC will not boot, the fan should spin.

 

[atthebios]

I have updated the BIOS, it's now in the latest version. The gtx1060's fan also works normally.

Something very curious happened right now. I was happy that my PC wasn't rebooting and working normally since yesterday, although without the GPU.
I then proceeded to disconnect the keyboard from the front panel and put it in the back panel. I disconnected it, bowed a little, and took support on the case to put it in the back (my case stands on the floor). I put my hand on the case to help me bow in order to place the usb port there, and allowed my hand to hold my weight. The very instant I did it, my computer rebooted. It then started rebooting as before, even without the GPU. 🙁

I thought this was indicated, perhaps, a bad connection somewhere, so I stopped the reboot cycle and placed the PSU/Mobo connections again, in order to make sure they were all ok. The computer then started locking itself in the continuous short beep and wouldn't boot.

I tried taking the RAM (a HyperX 8gb ddr3) and placing it in another RAM slot.
The RAM was in slot 3, I put it in slot 2.

The computer would then turn on the lights and max out fan speed, but would do nothing else.

I took it then from slot 2 to 4, and it started rebooting normally as before. The computer had been working just fine for many hours with the RAM in slot 3.

I must add that I have two such RAM cards, but am currently using only one. I once ram memtest on both for 8 hours, it exhibited no problems.

 

[cin19]

Just don't put too much weight on your PC, if you took the case side panel off.

Now, try clear the CMOS again, you should be able to reboot the PC. Because you can run the PC without the gtx1060. It indicated the problem is from the gtx1060, MB ( pcie slot), or PSU.

1) Do you test the gtx1060 in other PC yet? from that you know thw gtx1060 has problem or not.

2) Update the intel chipset driver first, you can get the driver either from gigabyte or intel site. After that try the gpu in other pcie slot, if you still have the same problem, and I will say the problem have to be from either the GPU or PSU.

Or back to the basic troubleshooting ideas like this: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems

 

[atthebios]

The thing is, since Sunday, when you told me to take things out and clear CMOS, my computer has been without the GPU.
It went fine until Monday night, when I pressed the case and it rebooted. It then started the rebooting/not rebooting with beeps/not rebooting without noise actions it had before, even without the GPU. 🙁

As I told you, I bought a second PSU, because that was my first guess. They were both high-quality (Corsair/EVGA). I also changed my case, so that shorts there are unlikely (the same problem happened with both).

I will update the driver chipset, that's a nice suggestion.

I would also like to thank you for your help so far!

I honestly think that this has to do with the Motherboard. My ram is high-quality (Kingston HyperX), and I have not exposed my intel processor to hard conditions. Don't you know of a Motherboard issue that looks like this? (unstable boot that stabilizes if it doesnt reboot soon, frequent reboot otherwise)

 

[cin19]

Before I can run the PC without gtx1060 for few days. But now you got the PC no boot problem.

Can you try these? 1) remove any RAM, and HDD. 2) clear the CMOS, you should unplug the power core from the wall outlet. 3) boot the pc without HDD ( boot device) and RAM. Now you can 1) the PC does boot, that means the CPU/MB is fine. 2) The PC does not boot. That means either the CPU or MB has problem.

If you don't have the parts ( CPU or MB) to test, you are better to ask local PC shop for help.

 

[atthebios]

It was the Mobo indeed. I went to a shop and had processor/MoBo tested. Some component started to fail and slowly got worse with time. It seems that the board was fully shorted when I finally took it to a shop. It did not react to anything at all. I'll have to buy a new one.
Thanks!