GA-X58A-UD3R(rev 2.0) not booting

[kaerodge]

So I've put together my new pc. I've been able to boot it up and install windows but on some occasions, it fails to get past the motherboard splash screen. The fans will keep running, the NB phase LEDs and DDR phase LEDs are lit, but the image is frozen and the pc will not respond to any keys.

If I power it down, unplug the psu, plug it back in again and turn it on, it boots up fine.

What could this be related to? and how can I fix it?

Any help is much appreciated.

system specs are as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i7 960 @ 3.2 GHz
Graphics card: Sapphire Vapor-x Radeon HD 5770
OS: Win 7 64-bit
RAM: Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600MHz 2x4GB
PSU: Corsair  TX850W

[Dark Mantis]

Well it is difficult to say what the problem is yet but hopefully we will get there in the end.

I would suggest clearing the CMOS and then try again.

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 one hour 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 like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

[kaerodge]

Thanks for the quick response.

So I followed your directions exactly, loaded the optimised BIOS defaults and, after messing around on windows for a bit, shut down my pc.

When I booted back up again the same thing happened. This time though instead of powering down and unplugging the power cable I hit the reset button and it booted up.

Where should I go from here?

Cheers and thanks for your help.

[Dark Mantis]

The next thing I would want to check is the memory. Please follow these instructions exactly.

I would suggest that you download and run the latest version of  Memtest86+ to check your RAM first.

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

Insert one stick of memory in slot 1 and run Memtest on it for at least 10 complete loops/cycles 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.

[kaerodge]

Ok, so just finished testing both modules with memtest and neither showed any errors.

any clues as to what else I can/should test?

[Dark Mantis]

Have you got the latest BIOS version installed ?

[kaerodge]

I have BIOS version FF installed.

[Dark Mantis]

Is FF the latest version ?

[kaerodge]

FF is the latest version. There is a beta available but I haven't downloaded that.

[Dark Mantis]

It might be worth reflashing back to a previous BIOS version and see if that helps. If not I think you have to be looking at either the motherboard or the power supply unit. Both are quality units but that doesn't mean they can't fail.

[kaerodge]

Thanks for all the help. It's very much appreciated. I've decided to return the motherboard and get a replacement. I'll let you know if the new one makes any difference (fingers crossed!).

Cheers 

[Dark Mantis]

Yes thanks it is always nice to know how things turn out in the end.

[kaerodge]

Hey Dark Mantis,

I received the new motherboard at the weekend and (touching wood and crossing fingers here) so far so good. No booting problems whatsoever.

Without your help, I'm pretty sure I would still be scratching my head in confusion trying to figure out the problem 

Cheers 

[Dark Mantis]

You are very welcome and I hope it all continues to go well. Good luck.