New PC wont install Windows 7 (or boot from an HD with OS installed)

[XVV]

I've just built a new PC with the following components: GA-P55A-UD4 Motherboard/Intel i5 760 2.8G/Corsair Twinx 4Gb DDR3 1333/512Mb Sapphire HD5450 graphics card/500w Nexus NA-8050 PSU/500Gb Samsung HD/CD/DVD drive/Iiyama monitor.

With BIOS set correctly the system powered up and started the install of Windows7 from CD/DVD drive. The install continued OK until reboot time. It started the reboot but just clicked the power off to the monitor and CPU fan and went through another reboot, then another, then another, etc.

After several attempts to re-install the OS I put the HD on a spare system and installed it there OK.

With the HD returned to the Gigabyte system I attempted to boot up. Post screen appeared OK, one beep, screen displayed "Windows" animated logo and message loading windows, then screen went black, screen LED turned orange (from green) and system tries another reboot. Message appears Start Normally or recover faulty start. Whichever option is chosen, after a short while the system turns off the monitor and goes through another boot, splash screen, beep, etc.

It would appear this is a common problem! I have read many such posts. I have tried re-assembly (out of the chassis) with minimum components - same result. Have built many system over the years, this one (and first with Gigabyte MBoard) is first to show a problem.

I have tried with 1 stick and 2 of memory in Slots 1 (& 3) - same result. I have tried an alternative Graphics card and both PCI-E sockets - same result. I have removed replaced CPU - no bent pins, etc. - same result. I have tried installing to SATA drive (on port 0 or 1) and an HD on IDE drive - all with same result.

Has anyone any more ideas please before I RMA the MBoard.

[Dark Mantis]

Well firstly welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

You seem to have covered most of the usual checks with no result.
I would ask what cooler you are using for the CPU?
Also I would like to point out that the Windows installation done on a different machine is doomed to failure anyway because of the different hardware involved.
One other thing you  might try is checking the RAM with Memtest86+ and letting it run about 10 loops on each module individually. If there are any errors then the memory is faulty.

[XVV]

Thanks for the speedy reply.

I'm using the standard cooler (that came in the box with the CPU).

At one stage of attempting recovery various options were offered including a Memory Test - I ran the test a couple of times and it ran through each time and reported no problems.

[Dark Mantis]

Right well in that case it is definitely worth checking that the four cooler locating lugs are fully home. This is something that happens all the time and as the cooler is not firmly attached to the CPU at the first sign of stress it overheats and shuts down.

The inbuilt memory test isn't good enough. You need to use Memtest86+ as I said to the sticks individually. It takes a while but will make sure.

[XVV]

Have checked to confirm CPU fully seated - all OK.

Have downloaded "Memtest86+" and run it for several hours against each stick of memory - all OK.

Have now arranged for courier to collect tomorrow - RMA time. Will advise outcome when board is returned.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I would be inclined to agree with you and think it is the most likely faulty component. Please let us know when it is returned what happens.

[Lsdmeasap]

If the same happens with a new board be sure you are using the latest BIOS, and ensure you are setting your own memory voltage to spec of the memory, QPI/Vtt may also need set manually depending on the memory speed and timings.