GA-M720-US3 Freezing at POST (CMOS reset help for single start)

[0G0R3K]

Hi, everyone. As this is my first post on this forum I am not sure if I do things right but I hope it all is ok.
Also a big hello to every user here

Problem I am facing is as follows, when I try to start the PC everything starts and an image comes on the screen with Gigabyte logo at the post Screen and then it freezes. It repeats for several times untill I turn everything off and then reset CMOS by putting a jumper on these two pins responsible for CMOS reset. After taking the jumper off and turning the PC on it starts as it should, but then I've got to press F1 to accept defaults loaded for the BIOS settings. Even after configuring BIOS settings and a reset the problem comes back and the whole situation.

I've tried updating and downgrading BIOS since F2 up to F7N. Problem comes on and on since few months. It's getting boring when you cannot set the memory for it's maximum speed (1066mhz) and CPU has to run on its original speed of 2.8Ghz.
I've also tried the system battery and checked its voltage which shows (3,06V) which is normal I guess.


Specification of my PC:
CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 920 2,8GHz
RAM: 2x 1GB Crucial Ballistix CL5 PC2-8500 1066MHz
GPU: Sapphire HD 4870 512mb
HDD: WD Raptor 200GB SATA
PSU: OCZ ModXStream-Pro 500W

I. hope I listed everything.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

Well everything looks to be ok from your specs. There is nothing that jumps out at me as being a bad match. Your memory could be bigger na dthe PSU could be a little meatier but not so bad as to cause problems I wouldn't say. You haven't said what OS you are running though.

First thing to try would be to test your memory.

Memtest86+        http://www.memtest.org/

Insert one stick of memory in slot 1 and run Memtest on it for at least 10 loops and if there are no errors then swap it over with the next one and continue untill you have checked all  modules.

If you have any errors the module is faulty.

If you have any faulty modules you will have to return the whole kit as they are matched.

Post back when you have done that with the results.
  

[Tiger]

Crucial Ballistix memory usually requires 2.1 or 2.2 volts. I imagine it would be a problem if you have had it set at 1.8 volts.

[0G0R3K]

I'll check the voltage first as memory runs at auto voltage so I assume this is 1.8V

I use Windows 7 Professional x64

After I check the voltage I'll try the memtest as you said. Thanks for responses. So far it's good

My modules are fitted into slots DDR_3 & DDR_4. I've now taken the module that was in slot DDR_4 and system booted without problems. I've also noticed that it may now run faster than it used to with two modules. I will run the Memtest and check both modules but I suspect that the one taken out may be faulty.

[0G0R3K]

Well, so I have tested the memory, or at least one module which comes as perfectly working.
However the other one isn't working at all. I mean when it's on its own PC starts and POST screen is followed by an underscore flashing at the tgop left of the screen. It does it for several minutes and then I just turned everything off.

So now I am running only one module and will need to contact crucial for a replacement of my Crucial Ballistix modules. If there's gonna be a possibility I'll tell them to post one 2gb module. THey are cheaper and I'll be able to put another three when I upgrade.

Memtest was helpful and I would never think of RAM being the problem. Specially Crucial as I use their modules for quite a while.

[Dark Mantis]

Try inserting the memory modules into DDR 1 and DDR 2 slots instead and run them as unganged.

[0G0R3K]

I've tried this. My modules always run as unganged. Problem is that when I insert just the module I suspect if faulty PC won't boot. Tis underscore flashes and nothing happens. I now put three different modules
Crucial Ballistix 1GB 1066Mhz
Kingston 1GB 533Mhz
Samsung 1GB 533Mhz

They all run with a speed of 533Mhz and everything works fine. I'll have to contact Crucial for a replacement on Monday.