GA-PH67A-UD3-B3 - New Build Won't Repeat Boot or Install OS. Please Help!

[coglanuk]

Hello GB'ers.

I have been trying to resolve this issue for 24 hours without any success.

I have a brand new system (details below) which is powering on. BIOS loads the first time and changes can be made, however subsequent boots result in the backup BIOS loading or complete halts/restarts.

If I boot to installation media upon a CMOS clear then the Windows 7 64Bit loader gets to the 'Starting Windows' 4 colours section and then BSoD with MACHINE_EXCEPTION_ERROR (0x0000000009).

What I have tried so far:

I have tried alternative RAM

I have tried installing via DVD and USB

I have upgraded the BIOS to latest version (F4)

I have tried alternative Heatsink

I have cleaned and reseated the CPU. (Some excess paste removed delicately)

I have tried an alternative Graphics Card

I have tried an alternative PSU

I have tried both Optimal and Fail Safe Defaults in BIOS

I have tried altenative Hard Drives


Ultimately I have narrowed it down to either a short within mobo installation, faulty mobo or faulty CPU. Not sure which is more likeley but within PC Health Check in BIOS everything is running fine at very reasonable temps.

I intedn on exchanging the mobo Monday but would much rather resolve myself.

Please help!

Mark

Build:
1 GByte GA-PH67A-UD3-B3 Ver B3
1 Intel Core i7 2600K UNLOCKED
1 8GB 2x4GB CMX8GX3M2A1333C9
1 850W CORSAIR CMPSU-850HXUK
1 Antec 902 v3 Case inc usb3
1 1280MB GAINW GTX570 (1671)
1 MS Win 7 Home Prem 64bit OEM
1 Sony AD-5260S-0B 24x DVDñR
2 FraclDesign FD-FAN-120 120mm



 

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Mark and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

The first thing to check is that you have inserted all the power cables properly. There is the 24 pin and the 8 pin to the motherboard. I would suggest removing and reinserting them both.

Make sure that both power cables are connected to the graphics card. If you still get nowhere do this:

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.

[coglanuk]

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

Hi DM,

thanks for the warm welcome.

Both PSU connectors are firmly in place. Reseated several times and tried another PSU to ensure it's not an issue with the new Corsair one.

Regarding the buzzer, forgive my ignorance but the mobo doesn't come with one does it? There is no onboard buzzer for POST beeps? I presume plugging speakers into the audio out (green) jack wouln't provide POST beeps would it?

[Dark Mantis]

No I am afraid that a lot of motherboards no longer come with a buzzer included. Progress eh!  They are very cheap to purchase and everybody should have at least one for faultfinding if nothing else. It can save hours of wasted time. When fitting it (instructions in the manual) make sure that you get it the right way around as it is polarity concious.

[coglanuk]

OK so I tried the cardboard routine and the PSU didn't even spin up. Is that the norm? To be sure I took out my own PSU and tried that and that also failed to spin up resulting in no power to any components.

Was I missing something?

I have also tried:

Full CMOS clear. Unplugged PSU and removed mobo battery for 90 minutes.

Downgraded BIOS from F4 to F3. Shipped with F2.

Turning SATA3 and USB3 off.

Optimized & Fail Safe Options after BIOS downgrade.

The same is still happening. Loping POST with occasional boot. The process is as follows:

Reset CMOS > Power On > 3 seconds then power drops and restarts > On second boot enter BIOS > Change settings (lots tried) > F10 to Save & Exit > Restart results in power drop (no display) > Backup BIOS loads (F1) with static screen (No internal parts detected and no response) > Hard restart and await many POST loops. Wash, Rinse and Repeat.

RMA time?

Surely it's the CPU or Mobo?!

[Dark Mantis]

Yes it would certainly look like either the CPU or the motherboard is at fault. Try removing all the memory so that all that is installed is the CPU/heatsink/fan, PSU and buzzer. Try and boot. Don't forget to turn the power on first.

[coglanuk]

Try and boot. Don't forget to turn the power on first.

If the majority of your time is spent helping people who need telling to turn the power on then I feel sorry for you DM 


I'll try and then get back to you. (Although I have tried it with alternative RAM with same results so even if it does boot with no RAM it still leaves me a tad stuck.

[Dark Mantis]

I know it sounds too stupid for words but you would be surprised at some of the faults we get and so we have to try and make the advice "idiot proof" as far as possible. The only good thing is that some of the more outlandish faults at least give us a giggle.

Just trying to prove if the motherboard  or CPU is at fault.

[coglanuk]

Reseller advised me that I made the wrong decision with the CPU and mobo combination. (He took pleasure in telling me ) Apparently the board doesn't support the overclocking of the i7-2600K.

However he did concede that it's on the supported CPU list and therefore should still boot. During the whole fiasco the Z68's have come out so I'm RMA'ing the GA-PH67A-UD3-B3 and purchasing a GA-Z68X-UD3-B3.

Let's hope that works and that it isn't the CPU 

Thanks again for your speedy replies DM!

[Dark Mantis]

You are welcome and after looking again at the model number I feel guilty that I didn't pick that up. I looked at the P and took no notice of the H. Sorry.