GA-EX58-UD4P: Main Bios Checksum Error & Bios POST restarts...

[GeorgeGR]

Hello 

My name is George and i'm new to Gigabyte's Forum [but still a Gigabyte customer from the past 12 years!]. I have two problems with my mobo GA-EX58-UD4P (rev. 1.0) [F3]:

1) The first and the crucial problem is an ERROR message that my BIOS starts to showing me up yesterday: "WARNING: MAIN BIOS CHECKSUM ERROR..........". I have never flashed the BIOS of that mobo. If i'm thinking well, the main BIOS had version F3 (and the secondary too, for sure). Also, i have never ovreclocked my system. All settings are in stock values (optimized defaults) and my memory (RAM) jedec-standard XMP profile is set to #2 [7-7-7-20 timings @ 1333 MHz @ 1.5V]. I'm using my system about 2 years without any problem. And now, suddenly, without making anything to my pc (i don't install anything, i don't update any hardware, i don't connect any new devices), my mobo shows me that message... Why? What's wrong? Why do you think that happened [erroneous/bad/faulty CMOS of my main BIOS for example?] ? What can i do to fix it?

2) The other problem is repeating only once per month, or two. It is about system restarts [or better, BIOS POST restarts]... All i want to say is that sometimes, when i press the power switch, my system gets "ON" for only 1.5 to 3 sec, then shuts down [gets "OFF"], and then restarts again without problem (passing the P.O.S.T. well and boots normally). In that period of 3 sec (maximum), my monitor doesn't showing anything of course... This restart is maybe looping sometimes for 2-3 times... Unexplained behavior.... When the system was new (about 2-3 weeks), nothing happened. But after that period, and again without doing anything or add/install/connect any new hardware, the system starts by alone periodically that behavior. Again, why is that?? Have i a faulty mobo??

To prevent any comments about memory errors, i want to say that when i setup my system [before 2 years] i'd run a memtest86+ for about 16 hours, without any problem. Also, after starting the restart-behavior (problem 2) my system, i run again the memtest without getting any errors again...

Please help!

Thanx!

[Lsdmeasap]

I would go ahead and update the BIOS for sure, the BIOS you are using is so old any number of issues could be caused by the old BIOS and we would never know.

I'd suggest you use this BIOS, and flash using Qflash
http://www.fileden.com/files/2009/12/20/2696817/ex58ud4p.14o.zip

Here is a guide on how to use Qflash
http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/27576-bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide.html

Be sure you disable "Keep DMI Data" before you flash, and then load and apply optimized defaults and then save/apply/reboot when you are done.   Then go back into the BIOS and set your SATA/Disk settings to what you need, and then any other settings like memory, ect.

The restarting can be normal sometimes, but since you are at stock settings it shouldn't do that.   Since it rarely happens, it could be due to the old BIOS, or maybe a memory issue which the new BIOS could also help fix.

Overclocking or not, I suggest you set your own QPI/Vtt voltage, this could by why the BIOS failed and you had to recover from the backup.

[Dark Mantis]

Try replacing the motherboard battery first as it could be dropping in voltage enough to just cause some loss of data retention.

[GeorgeGR]

@ Lsdmeasap:

Thank you very very much Lsdmeasap! That worked!! I update my BIOS to the beta F14o you gave me using Qflash, exactly as you describe.

However, i think its soon to say "everything is fine"! So, i'll test my system's stability for a week and i'll run a memtest86+ again for sure. I'll tell you here if everything is fine or not...

Also, i want to ask you another 3 simple questions:

1) When the original release of BIOS F14 (not beta) come out, should i update to that for best performance?

2) Now i update to F14o beta. How can i know which BIOS chip i just update and which i'm using? I update and run the MAIN BIOS or the SECONDARY? If i update the MAIN, then the SECONDARY needs an update too?

3) Is there any drivers (or solution/instructions) to enable AHCI mode for my sata HDDs and DVD-ROMs? If i set Sata mode to AHCI in BIOS, then the Windows VISTA Business x64 SP-2 (with all updates installed) don't boots, but showing me a BSOD and then restarts... The BIOS recognize all the devices however... Windows, only in IDE mode works fine. As i know, with AHCI mode enabled i'll have much more performance on my Sata devices, is that correct? Or with the IDE mode i'm just fine with the performance?

P.S. I didn't set any QPI/Vtt voltage by alone. The value at that time is 1.150 Volts. I don't know if this is a stock value or not. If not, then maybe the XMP profile change it automatically... Is there any wrong with that value?


@ Dark Mantis:

Thank you too Dark Mantis! Tomorrow i'll buy a new battery for my mobo and install it, just for sure.

[Dark Mantis]

You can check which version your Backup BIOS has installed by pressing F9 when in the BIOS homescreen.

I wouldn't advise synchronising them yet though in case you do have a problem with this BIOS.

[Lsdmeasap]

Nice to see some progress, even if it is just for now!

Yes, later you can make the BACKUP BIOS match the MAIN BIOS, but like Dark Mantis said you might want to wait a bit to be sure it's working good.

If you want you can keep using that beta, or update to the final F14 when it's made, all up to you.   I use ONLY beta BIOS myself, never final unless asked to test something, so they are fine to use if you want (I actually think they are the best)

To change windows 7 or Vista to AHCI mode after you install in IDE mode is easy.   Make the following registry changes in windows, then reboot the BIOS and enable AHCI and then load windows, after that you may need to reboot once more from windows but then you will be in AHCI mode.

Enable switching between all IDE/AHCI/RAID modes by changing "Start" Values in these keys to 0 (Win 7 / Vista ONLY)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci\Start
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Pciide\Start  
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\iaStorV\Start

Yes, it's much better to use AHCI mode

1.15 QPI/Vtt is stock voltage, but if you are using or enable XMP that probably wont be what is actually used (Just looks that way in the BIOS).   You would have to look in Easytune at the target voltage for QPI/Vtt to be sure, it's in "Tuner" then "Advanced", then "Voltage I" tab

[GeorgeGR]

That works too Lsdmeasap! Windows VISTA runs now in AHCI mode without any problem!

But i also have Windows XP x32 and x64 in the same drive (multiboot system). I follow some instructions found on Google (http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=444831) but nothing happens. I follow the steps 1 to 4 but in the 4th step, after enabling AHCI in BIOS and boot Win XP x32, i get a BSOD...
Do you know any solution for enable AHCI in an already installed Win XP x32 & x64? I have already downloaded the Intel's Rapid Storage drivers (iata_cd.exe) from there (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=19607&keyword=intel+rapid+storage&lang=eng) but i can't install them (MSI installer gives me an error of unsupported drivers)... It's the correct drivers?

Your help is precious to me, you're the best man! All gone exactly as you describe me, without any problems!

[Dark Mantis]

It might possibly be because the  Intel's Rapid Storage drivers are the newer version of the Matrix drivers. Try downloading them and see if your older version of Windows will accept them instead.

[GeorgeGR]

You mean Intel's Rapid Storage drivers? I have already downloaded v10.1.0.1008 (file: iata_cd.exe) but the MSI installer gives me an "X" error of unsupported drivers (or no such device, or something similar...).

I think that's because i have AHCI disabled when boot to Win XP (i have IDE mode enabled). As the article says in the 4th step, when i put the reg values in the registry and restart, change the IDE mode from BIOS to AHCI, and then boot WinXP, then they will detect a new hard disk e.t.c., i have to press cancel in wizard and then i must install the Intel's Rapid Storage drivers. But i can't! When enable AHCI from BIOS, Win XP gives me a BSOD, don't boots up.... And when i boot WinXP with IDE mode, the MSI gives me this error....

Any thoughts/solutions?

[Lsdmeasap]

That works too Lsdmeasap! Windows VISTA runs now in AHCI mode without any problem!

But i also have Windows XP x32 and x64 in the same drive (multiboot system). I follow some instructions found on Google (http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=444831) but nothing happens. I follow the steps 1 to 4 but in the 4th step, after enabling AHCI in BIOS and boot Win XP x32, i get a BSOD...
Do you know any solution for enable AHCI in an already installed Win XP x32 & x64? I have already downloaded the Intel's Rapid Storage drivers (iata_cd.exe) from there (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=19607&keyword=intel+rapid+storage&lang=eng) but i can't install them (MSI installer gives me an error of unsupported drivers)... It's the correct drivers?

Your help is precious to me, you're the best man! All gone exactly as you describe me, without any problems!

Glad to hear all is well now with your Vista AHCI setup!!

in regards to XP and AHCI after the fact, there is plenty of guides on how to do this, and many apply to the use of ICH8R files and or chipsets, so I'm not sure if they work on ICH10R chipsets or files?

These are the a few guides I normally point people to, maybe you can spot something different compared to the method you already tried?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/186471-enabling-sata-mode-ahci-after-xp-install-applicable-most-laptops-systems.html

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=444831


This is a simple method, no registry stuff needed, and I've seen a few say this works easy
http://forums.techarena.in/windows-xp-support/936428.htm

But, by far, the easiest way to do this is a Repair install of XP.

This will only remove the windows updates, all your files, documents, programs, ect will remain as they are now and you'll just have to reinstall windows updates.

To do a repair install of XP with AHCI drivers you will either need a floppy you can put the driver on, or slipstream the drivers with Nlite
http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
http://www.nliteos.com/guide/
http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/107504-integration-of-intels-sata-ahci-and-raid-drivers/

And here is two guides how to run the XP repair Install, Do note that you DO NOT press R when it asks about repair or install.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/

Once done with the XP repair you will be unable to boot vista because the XP bootloader will be in use, so you will need to put the Vista one back.   You can do this easily with Vista's startup repair option from the install DVD, just run it and choose "repair your computer" when you see the option and then choose startup repair.
http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/EBCD/Recovering+the+Vista+Bootloader+from+the+DVD

[GeorgeGR]

Hi!

One week later and no any problem occurs with my mobo! Everything works fine now with the beta BIOS F14o: No anymore POST restarts or checksum and stability problems. No memtest errors either.

As about Windows XP and AHCI, i have no time to test the other two methods you gave me right now. When i found some, i'll test them and i tell you the answers.

Once again, thank you Gigabyte Forums for your precious help and quick response!

cu

[Dark Mantis]

You're very welcome and glad to hear that everything worked out well for you.