GA-EP45T-USB3P Problem

[mgrzTX]

I ordered this Mother Board because it fit with all my previous components, and had USB 3.0 and my last Mother Board died.

My problem right now is this:

I've got these items currently all hooked up:
Power Supply
ASUS Radeon 5870
Interl Core 2 Q9450
Intel X25-M Mainstream (with Windows 7 installed on it)
4 GB (two sticks) G-Skill Eco Ram at factor clock (1333, 7-7-7-21)
Pioneer BD-R
Corsair H50 Cooler
aaaand this mother board.

When I turn the thing on, I can enter BIOS, change whatever, etc.
But when I try to start windows it shows "starting windows" and the windows logo begins to appear, then BAM (batman style) BSOD. But for literally 1/10th of a second. Then it restarts, and continues this seemingly to infinity. I figured the hard drive didn't appreciate the new Mobo, but I tried to boot from a CD, and same thing.

Here's what I've done so far. Tried the 2 sticks of memory in all configurations, and each stick of memory by itself in all 4 slots. I've tried another CD reader. I've tried booting from a CD.

Any help will be appreciated! Thanks Ya'll!

 

[mgrzTX]

Anyone?

 

[mgrzTX]

Advice anyone?

 

[T_T]

Do a "Load Optimized Defaults" and try again.

 

[mgrzTX]

Yup, I had tried that.

 

[bilbat]

First thing to do: instructions on creating a MemTest86+ bootable are at about the middle of Memory Part IV - "Tweaking and tuning"; follow the procedure toward the bottom on tracking down a bad DIMM, which are also, essentially, the same as for DIMM qualification slightly above it...

 

[mgrzTX]

Thanks for the Advice! Although, it would appear that, after the Memtest86+, that the memory is in working condition at least after following everything on the link.

 

[jaquith]

When you loaded "Optimized" what other, if any, BIOS changes did you make (e.g. enabling XMP)??

 

[mgrzTX]

I hadn't made any BIOS changes at first, then I tried loading optimized settings. Then I tried fiddling around with a few things, but to no avail.

 

[jaquith]

Try loading "Fail Safe", make NO changes, save, and restart. The only other change to make is to Disable "CPU Smart Fan" ~ H50 ~ you want your CPU fan @ 100% IF you have the pump wired to the CPU Fan on the MOBO.

Don't try/use XMP unless your MOBO supports your EXACT Part Number DDR ~ otherwise you'll get as you are describing.

 

[mgrzTX]

Tried all of those, but still same problem. Thanks for the help btw...

 

[jaquith]

Next, isn't this fun, load the OS disk and use F8 repair. In Win 7 its a pretty short process.

BTW - If this doesn't work (short of trying to reinstall your OS) you might want to post - http://forums.tweaktown.com/ I wanted them to reconfirm an issue I had. If everything is R/O your left with either a bad MOBO or SSD. I just want you to see you get it running. Plus I re-re-confirmed bad MOBOs at Gigabyte http://gigabyte.com/support-downloads/technical-support.aspx

 

[mgrzTX]

Still to no avail.. 😛

 

[jaquith]

I edited above. My guess is a bad MOBO...

BTW - can you test the GPU on your "current" PC?

 

[mgrzTX]

My SSD still works fine on a different computer, so I don't think it's bad. I'll see what the guys over there have to say. Thanks for the help!

 

[jaquith]

To recap:

DDR = Memtest = OK
SSD = (works) = OK
GPU = (works) = OK
PSU = (unknown)
CPU = (BIOS) = OK

OS = DUH {(with Windows 7 installed on it)} ; unless you INSTALLED on current machine it could be an issue!

 

[mgrzTX]

I'm starting to think your bad Mobo comment is correct. I've tried my 5870 and PSU out with another computer and both seem to be working fine.

...Ok, new development. I tried connecting a new (blank) WD Caviar blue that I'm planning on putting in my mother's computer (She's got an HP computer that's 2 years old and a lot of important info on her HDD. In my experience her HP drive won't be lasting much longer, so 2 WD Blues in Raid for her). But I'm using one and trying to install windows, and everything seems to be working fine so far. But the SSD works fine on a different computer. So maybe a formatting issue or something with the SSD?

 

[jaquith]

I'm a little confused with your statement "But I'm using one and trying to install windows, and everything seems to be working fine so far." -- which rig your Mothers?

RE: "So maybe a formatting issue or something with the SSD?" ~ No, the drivers + Boot Manager.

Regarding the PSU, IF (hoping not) your PSU has a shorted RAIL (Multi-Rail PSU) it could have caused damage and reinstalling another PSU won't tell you much. CAUTION: the best way to test a PSU is with a Voltage Meter ~ IF you otherwise "dare" try the PSU in this rig on the "other" rig ~ if it is shorting it CAN/WILL damage the good rig.

 

[mgrzTX]

Sorry, not my mothers. I hooked up a new Hard Drive to my rig that I'm currently having issues with. And it started installing windows, I didn't finish installing it because I had somewhere to be. And I already checked the PSU for shorts and tried it on the "other" rig with no problems. Thanks for the advice though, I never really thought about it just checked it.

So a couple questions I guess. Should I see if I can fully install and run windows with the spare Hard Drive? Just to see if it is some issue with the SSD (drivers+boot manager? Not very knowledgeable on this). I don't think I should be worried about taking up space because when I put it in a RAID array on my "mothers" rig everything will be cleared.

Once again, thanks for the help!

 

[jaquith]

"Installing the OS on spare drive" ~ It will answer everything! So yeah!
"RAID array + musical positions" ~ No, it won't hurt the RAID ; assuming you are whipping-out Data that's already on your Mother's RAID ( 1 spare HDD) -> Reformat before installing OS -> Install your OS ~ TEST then once done ->>> Rebuild the Drive in the BIOS and be VERY CAREFUL which drive overwrites which drive. If there's no DATA on her "future" RAID then don't worry, pairing them in RAID the first-time will wipe the data off both. I recommend formatting once paired.

I'm trying to decide which I'm "voting for" the MOBO or the SSD??

BTW - I like RAID 1 (RAID 1 home/workstation PCs ; RAID 5 in servers) and know its a great idea, and just to be sure (Important Data) back-up on either an eSATA HDD/Home Server/encrypted Cloud. There are many reasons. Our Home/Workstation PCs are all now SSD {OS + Apps} + RAID 1 {Data} + off PC periodically.

 

[mgrzTX]

Windows 7 installed on spare drive and everything works fine! But the SSD still works on the "other" computer. If you have any advice on how to fix this it would be much appreciated, if not I'll just make a new post in the SSD section. Thanks a ton for the help!

I actually run both of the computers with me and my fathers that exact same way, including mine!

Thanks again!

 

[bilbat]

Is the SSD a second gen drive? (i.e., does it have a 'G2' in the part number? If not, may want to check to see if there's a firmware update available... SSDs are particularly sensitive to their firmware - which seems, in many cases, of great importance to their long-tem survival...

 

[mgrzTX]

Errr, it is a 2nd Gen drive. Sorry, the "other" rig has a 1st gen drive, I get 'em all mixed up...

But I'll check on the firmware update anyway. The SSD is an X25-M 2nd Gen drive.

 

[mgrzTX]

Did the firmware update on the SSD, and still the same problem!

 

[jaquith]

I wish I saw this earlier, there are as many CONS as there are PROS updating your firmware, to my knowledge the only SSD truly "requiring" a firmware update are the Crucial C300 SSD SATA3; SATA2 has been around for a while.

Have you RE-Formatted + RE-Installed Windows 7 on the SSD ON the GA-EP45T-USB3P rig??

BTW - Flashing your SSD "can" void your warranty or deny an RMA ~ for other reading.