System shuts down when "connecting drivers"

[Odd135]

The first few times I have tried to boot a new computer I put together, the computer boots to a screen showing the motherboard's logo with three options in the corner to be selected using the f keys on my keyboard. The system does not respond to my selecting these options using my keyboard. The Intel motherboard's POST code display shows a few different numbers while this is happening, ending with "E6" before the system shuts itself down (or rather restarts itself, because it turns itself on and shuts down in the same pattern in an endless loop). When I looked this code up on intel's website, it means that The system is "connecting drivers." Because this code is displayed for a much longer time than any other code, and because it is the last one to be displayed, I think that this may be the reason my computer is shutting itself down. What does it mean when my computer is "connecting drivers," and is it the cause of my problems?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... 1) Is your keyboard USB? if so... try the different USB connectors at the back of the MB. USB3 requires a Windows driver for it, and thus may not be useable or work.
2) Also try another "Known Working" Keyboard for a test.

 

[Odd135]

No, it's Still not responding to any keyboard input using either of my wired keyboards with any of the usb's (these keyboards work, I was just using them a while ago, and neither of them require drivers to work).

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... 3) I would try at this point to remove your CMOS Battery and jumper/clear your CMOS as per your manual/PDF for your MB. the Bios's defaults should allow any one of those keyboards to work.

 

[Odd135]

When I removed the battery, waited about a minute, and put it in again, the system booted in the same fashion as before, not recognizing any input from the keyboard and showing the motherboard logo. The only difference was that it reported that the CMOS had been reset before it shut itself down.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Does your keyboard "Light Up" and show any Power going to it?
4) Make sure to didn't miss connect the front panel connector or any other one that might be shorting out the power to your USB connections. As a "Simple test" disconnect all your MB USB/accessory connections to your Case ETC...

 

[Odd135]

Yes, with both keyboards.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Did you disconnect like i suggested above 4) ? Please follow and affirm your actions please... B )
5) Do you have a CPU and BIO version problem here? Can you check or add this information here for your MB and CPU?

 

[Odd135]

It's nothing wrong with the usb connections, I found that when the motherboard displayed the notifications after I changed some part of the system (for example, when I removed some of the RAM sticks), I could use my keyboard then, but at no other time. If the system specifications would help:

Motherboard: Intel DZ68BC
power supply: EVGA 500W 80 PLUS
CPU: Intel xenon E3-1220v2
Graphics card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660
Memory: 2x 4GB corsair ballistics sport
Storage: (currently disconnected to avoid corruption) WD 1TB HDD
In addition to the case, miscellaneous case fans, the CPU fan properly installed with thermal compound, and (while currently disconnected), a disk drive.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Bio's ver 0035 is required for your CPU... and the latest is 0042. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=&ProductID=3381&ProdId=3381 Is there a sticker on the BOX or MB that indicates your MB version?
What is your Current status?
Did the removal/placement of the Ram give you a BIO's display?

6) Is your Monitor plugged into a DVI port of your Video card?

 

[Odd135]

Between then and now I've also tried it with an i-3 processor to check that it wasn't the graphics card (twice, once with the graphics card, another time without), with the same results. I can't even get to the BIOS update screen to change it, "F7- BIOS update" is one of the options on the logo screen that keeps coming up just before the computer restarts itself; one of the options that I can't select.
For question 6, I currently have it plugged into my motherboard, and it has been displaying the logo screen before restarting. Just a minute ago, I managed to get it into the BIOS settings with back to BIOS mode on, no graphics card, with a single stick of new RAM (I removed the other two), with the i-3 processor, and with the keyboard not plugged in (and, except for the PSU, no other components). Can I update the BIOS from here?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Are you experienced at MB BIO's updating and methods?

 

[Odd135]

I know how to boot a system from a USB stick. I'm assuming it's a similar concept?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Good, a bootable USB DOS method is common... they show three methods/files here... https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=23524
1) Suggests use if BIO's is corrupt... and a bootable CD is required.
2) Suggests typical use for a bootable USB... and using DOS commands with the IFlash App.
3) Suggests typical use with a Windows OS.

It's possible your current BIO's is corrupt...
A) Create a bootable USB stick and see if your MB will Boot to it first... And we will know which option to use.

 

[Odd135]

I installed the most recent BIOS using the recovery update and it seems to be working; when I reconnected my hard drive, it booted up the operating system normally. Thanks! (It's a bit strange that I managed to do it using USB though, when I reread the instructions it said to use a CD)