GA-P67A-UD3 reboots on BIOS reflash or OS install

[Odiebo]

GA-P67A-UD3 Rev 1.0
BIOS revision F4
Intel i5 2500K
2 x CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Nvida 8800 GT also Nvidia 7300

I have yet to get a BIOS updated or OS installed on this build, if I try to load in a OS, windows or Ubuntu, the computer reboots immediately, not even attempting to read OS cd. When I try to upgrade the BIOS through Q-flash it reads the USB stick ok, I select revision F5 and about half way through the reading of the new file the computer reboots. If I boot off the USB stick the flash program loads up and freezes at "reading BIOS file..."

I have already RMA'd one MB, which was slightly better in that after 3 days I got an OS to install, previous attempts were simular to my current problem of rebooting on OS install.

I have;
  changed power supply with 2 other PS modules - no change.
  used 1 RAM module - no change
  used a different brand of RAM, G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 , using 1 and 2 modules - no change
  swapped video cards from Geforce 8800GT to 7300 GS, tried both pci-e slots
  Cleared CMOS a dozen times and tried both optimized and fail safe settings,
  tried to boot without video - no beep then again it never beeps on start up ( no speaker hooked up as its on the bench and not in the case)
  moved the SATA to different ports
 
Nothing at this point seems to make any difference. No matter what OS I try to install the computer reboots. Even the memtest on a Ubuntu live CD won't load.

Unless someone has any suggestions on what to try next I think I'm stuck where I'm at till the new boards come out in April.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

I think you need to take a different tack on this, but before we start perhaps you could tell us what make and model of PSU you are using ?

[Odiebo]

Yes I've considered the PSU, seems to be the consensus with this kind of behavior.
I've used 3. An Antec Basiq 550W, Rosewill Stallion Series RD 450W and specifically picked up a Thermaltake 600W TR2 to address this problem. Identical results with all 3. Thats when I RMA'd the first board.

[Dark Mantis]

In that case try the following:

The next thing is to remove the motherboard form the case and test it on the workbench.

Make sure that you observe anti-static precautions.

Lay some cardboard or use the motherboard box that is non-conductive on the worktop and remove the motherboard/CPU/heatsink/fan/buzzer/one stick of memory and PSU from the case and put it on the cardboard.

Add the keyboard and now I know you haven't got any graphics but try and boot.

The system should try and then fail emitting a series of beeps. Please post what sounds it makes.

[Odiebo]

Ok, Board is on bench. Video card removed I get 1 long, 2 short beeps. Award BIOS so thats video card error or not seated.

Insert the video card and I get 1 short beep, BIOS test past. 

Found that Gigabyte has released BIOS revision F6 out, non beta, and again booting through USB I have a frozen system with the following displayed;

        GIGABYTE SPI Flash BIOS Update Utility v2.10
        Loading BIOS ...

Reset and get into BIOS, hit F8 to enter Q Flash. I can access the USB flash drive, select file to update to, the program appears to read the source file and then promptly reboots.

I'm getting closer to accepting that I'll be waiting for the replacement boards to come out in April. I have a working system that will allow me to do what I need to do till then. Its just not that same though 

[Dark Mantis]

QFlash won't work yet until after the BIOS has been updated. Your only options are FlashSPI or @BIOS and as you cant get into Windows that only leaves FlashSPI.

[silentsage]

I had the same problem.  Try removing the CMOS battery for about 5 minutes, then try again.

I believe there is a circuit design bug in the CMOS reset jumper.  On my board, if you put a jumper across it, the motherboard powers up. 

[Dark Mantis]

It would at least be worth trying what silentsage suggested and clear the CMOS.

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least ten minutes before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Opimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self and then press F10 to save and exit.

[Odiebo]

Sorry for leaving this hanging all week, but after trying to clear CMOS by clearing the battery I still had the same issue. So I took NewEgg up on their offer to give a full refund for the board and I'm sending it back. It's only a couple months till replacements come out and Z68 chipsets should be out around that time as well.

In my search for a solution I did come across this post on another forum about Gigabyte boards, http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/275856-30-gigabyte-guide  There is some usefull info in there.

[soarwitheagles]

Sorry for leaving this hanging all week, but after trying to clear CMOS by clearing the battery I still had the same issue. So I took NewEgg up on their offer to give a full refund for the board and I'm sending it back. It's only a couple months till replacements come out and Z68 chipsets should be out around that time as well.

In my search for a solution I did come across this post on another forum about Gigabyte boards, http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/275856-30-gigabyte-guide  There is some usefull info in there.

Odiebo,

Thank you for listing that url from Tom's Hardware.  I read it and learned so much!

I appreciate you and the help you have given.

So sorry the GA-P67A-UD3 did not work out for you.  Good luck to  you as the new board becomes available!  I too have the same GA-P67A-UD3 and I too look forward to when the new replacements will be offered.

Have a great day!

Soar

[Dark Mantis]

I am certainly looking forward to the 2011 socket boards and the Z68 chips. It will be interesting to see if the expectations live up to the promises.