EX58-UD5 - No POST screen and error 88 on LED readout

[will_m]

Hi there, I've been running this set-up now for almost over a year without any problems but now when I go to start the computer all of the lights come on, the fans whir, HDD's start up but no POST screen or error beeps from the mobo. The EX58-UD5 is showing what looks like 8.8. or possibly B.B. on the LED readout. I presume this is an error code but the manual does not list either code. The odd thing is that sometime when I power the board on it all works perfectly and there doesn't seem to be a pattern to when it does work and when it doesn't.

So far I have tried:

Removing all ram sticks and just trying the one stick, as well as different sticks of ram
Removing the video card (which works fine in a different system)
Reseating all the power connectors to the motherboard

After these steps I removed everything attached to the board except for the two power leads and the video card, the system then booted a few times successfully. I started adding back in my components, booting the machine twice before adding each thing. Once everything was back in the system worked again for about 5-6 boot attempts, I though all was o.k but then on the next attempt it failed again and another 5 times too. Then when I came back to it this morning it wouldn't boot on the first attempt but it would on the second. I just can't find a reason or even a pattern to why it won't boot. Any help would be gratefully appreciated, I've contacted tech support but so far they have not got back to me.

SPECS are as follows

Gigabyte EX58-UD5 (rev 1.0)
Intel i7 920 D0
Be Quiet Dark Power Pro PSU
12GB OCZ RAM
ATI HD 4670 Video Card
Win 7 64-bit Pro   

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
The most likely thing is the power supply has dropped in output over time(a usual occurance) and is now struggling to provide enough pwer for your machine . That is why when stripped back it works fine. You say what make it is but not what model. If you wouild like to post the model I will confirm my suspicions.

[will_m]

It is the dark power pro 650w. However like I say, the system has booted several times with all devices etc attached.

[Dark Mantis]

You didn't say whether it was new or not but it seems to be a decent PSU. The only downside to it as far as I am concerned is that the 12 v rail is split in four and I always prefer a single rail. If possible try to get a different PSU just for testing purposes.

[will_m]

Hi, it was bought from new around 8 months ago and I think carries a five year warranty. I will try a different PSU though just to rule it out, thanks.

[Dark Mantis]

Make sure it is powerfull enough and if possible as I said with a single 12v rail. Even if I am wrong at least it will rule it out.

[will_m]

I'm afraid I can only get my hands on a fairly budget OCZ 400w PSU:

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_400w_modxstream_pro_power_supply

It doesn't seem to have an 8-pin power connector for my mobo though, just a 4-pin.

 I have set up an RMA for the board but as it sometimes boots fine I suspect that when I send it back it will work fine and they will just send it back. I would have thought a PSU issue would have been more consistent than the problems I am having?

[Dark Mantis]

I can understand your dilemma. It could well be a power problem but of course it doesn't rule out a duff(technical term) motherboard. As you say chances are even if there is a propblem with the motherboard it won't show when they test it and it will just be returned NFF. It might be worth PMing runn3R the Gigabyte moderator of the forum and asking him to make sure it gets a thorough testing.

[will_m]

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately the RMA is with the retailer here in the U.K. I've just had about 10 successful boot attempts here with everything attached but then it failed again after leaving it for about 20 mins. Someone did suggest to me before that it may be a dry joint on the board which would only allow the system to boot when it was warm but a cold start may stop it from booting. Any thoughts on this?

[Dark Mantis]

Well it is of course a possibility, but I think it is unlikely. Probably more likely to be a capacitor drying out or something similar.

[will_m]

Ah I see o.k. I think I will try and get it returned then. Your help is much appreciated, I have given you some 'karma', will let you know how it all pans out.

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks, and don't forget to PM runn3R.

[Lsdmeasap]

Here is a list of debug codes
http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/39229-gigabyte-award-x58-bios-led-debug-codes.html

88 is dead CPU, but can also be dead/incompatible PSU or dead motherboard.   So it may be your PSU is failing, or the CPU, or board...?

I know, doesn't help much, but I thought I'd link for you and the other helpers here that way they have a reference of the debug codes.

I don't think it would be "BB" because if it was it would be "bb" and you would be able to tell that is what was showing.

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks Lsdmeasap I haven't noticed them before. Very useful.

[Lsdmeasap]

Anytime!

I knew you would like a list of those, so posted them just for you