GA-X58-USB3: Freezing issues (in BIOS too)

[calamityj]

I am having a freezing/stability issue. Symptoms as follows:

Machine switched on, can reach POST splash, can enter BIOS. After 10 to 60 seconds, screen becomes unresponsive and reset is required.
If hard drive is plugged in, can reach windows logon before screen becomes unresponsive. (roughly the same time frame)
cpu phase lights will generally all come on at startup.
num lock will stay responsive for a minute or so after screen lockup.

This was the setup before problems occurred: (nothing is/has been overclocked)

i7 920, 6GB (3x2) 1066 PQI ram, zotac gtx 470, corsair tx650, win7 ultimate 64

Currently everything is on cardboard for testing purposes (barebones - cpu, vga, 1 mem stick, keyboard - no drives / extras)
Under barebones setup, following tests have been performed:
Reseating cpu.
Different ram manufacturer (corsair 1600 xms3)
Different cpu (i7 950)
CMOS has been reset (through jumper and through battery removal) + default settings
Switched keyboards
Tested the power supply using a multimeter. All readings nominal except for the -12v which is coming in at -10.86.

For informational purposes, the vga and power supply are around 2 months old. (upgraded together)

Any ideas on what I should try next? I'm running out...

Cheers!

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Uk Forum.

Well the -12V line is very low and I would say that it is suspect but for what reason. Have you tried measuring the voltage without the GPU connected? It is just that the 470 is a power hog and I am not sure that your PSU is man enough for it.

Another thing to consider is if you have any bent pins on the CPU socket.

[calamityj]

Thank you very much for the quick reply.

I agree that -12v line doesn't feel right - I tested the power supply separately so that IS the voltage WITHOUT the vga connected.

I inspected the CPU socket carefully. I didn't see any problems there. (and the system was stable before)

What would cause the line to drop like that over 2 months? Would that difference be able to cause these symptoms?

Grateful to you for your insight on this.

[Dark Mantis]

Well my first thoughts on reading your post were  a power supply problem was the most likely. The PSU you have is a good make and model butm as with everything they have faulty ones and that could be the root of the problem. I would say that if you can get another one preferably a bit more powerful and with a single +12V line to try it would save a lot of time and effort. If it turns out not to be that at least it is one of the main things accounted for.