GA-Z68x-UD3H-B3 Doesn't Shutdown

[JLSPC]

Hello everyone, Thanks in advance for any help / suggestions you may be able to offer!

Issue:

While performing a shutdown in windows the pc turns off completely then automatically restarts.  I don't see any issues during shutdown, everything looks normal, the monitor shuts off the fans stop etc. 4 or 5 seconds later it automatically starts back up.  The only way to shut it off is to press the power button when it turns back on.
While running the PC in windows it has been 100% stable.  The only way i've had any luck getting it to shutdown normally is by running with only 1 ram stick.  All combination's of 1 stick of ram at a time allows the PC to shutdown properly.  I tried the first stick in either slot 1 or slot 2.  The repeated the test with the other stick in either slot 1 or slot 2.

Successful shutdown using the following configuration
1.Only 1 stick of ram in slot 1 1333MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
2. Only 1 stick of ram in slot 2 1333MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
3. Other Stick of Ram with only 1 stick of ram in slot 1 1333MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
4. Other stick of Ram with only 1 stick of ram in slot 2 1333MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
5. Only 1 stick of ram in slot 1 1600MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
6. Other stick of ram only 1 stick of ram in slot 1 1600   MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
   


Configuration / Troubleshooting that doesn't shutdown properly
1. Upgraded Bios to F8, reset CMOS, loaded optimized settings.
2. Disabled Bios setting PME Wake Event and Power on By ring
3. 2 sticks ram slot 1 and slot 2 at 1066MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
4. 2 sticks ram slot 1 and slot 2 at 1333MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
5. 2 Sticks ram slot 1 and slot 2 at 1600MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24

Thank You
JLSPC

--------------
Case: Antec p183 V3
PSU:Antec CP-850 850W
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68x-UD3H-B3 rev 1.0 Bios F8
Processor: Intel i5 2500K
Ram: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM
DVD: ASUS DRW-24B1ST
Windoes 7 64 Bit

[JLSPC]

I recently discussed with GGTS.  They seemed to lean toward it being the ram.  Should I test the ram a certain way, buy different ram?  Was thinking of buying G.SKILL 12800CL9D-8GBRL. To rule out the ram.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

I am not convinced it is the memory but it is possible. I think that before you start chucking more money at it I would give it a thorough once over with Memtest86+ following these instructions:

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.
 

[JLSPC]

Hi Dark Mantis,

Thank you for the detailed instructions.  I followed them exactly step by step.  Each stick was run for a full day in slot 1.  Roughly 17 passes each. No errors were found. Is there a next step you would recommend?

Thank you for your help
JLSPC

[Dark Mantis]

Well that eliminates the memory from the equation. Obviously it is not due to them.

Next I would suggest disabling all the power saving and sleep modes in the BIOS. That is C1E, EIST, C3, C5, S3 etc, etc.

[TigetLi]

Hello JL,

You may be using improper RAM slots for dual channel operation.  Your initial post says:

"Configuration / Troubleshooting that doesn't shutdown properly
1. Upgraded Bios to F8, reset CMOS, loaded optimized settings.
2. Disabled Bios setting PME Wake Event and Power on By ring
3. 2 sticks ram slot 1 and slot 2 at 1066MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
4. 2 sticks ram slot 1 and slot 2 at 1333MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24
5. 2 Sticks ram slot 1 and slot 2 at 1600MHZ 1.5V 9-9-9-24"

Ram Slots 1 and 3 or Ram Slots 2 and 4 are the ones you must use for dual channel RAM operation.

Best regards,

[Dark Mantis]

Well spotted TigetLi. The proper slots can make all the difference.

[JLSPC]

Thank you Dark Mantis and TigerLi,

First I went back and double checked the ram slots i'm using.   I do have the ram in the first slot and the third slot.  However these slots are labeled DDR3_1 and DDR3_2.  I reviewed the manual and this does seem to be correct.  Does this sound correct to you?

Next I disabled the power saving settings in the Bios.  This seems to have resolved the issue, I was able to shutdown 4 or 5 times in a row without the computer automatically restarting.    Do you have any insight into the cause of the issue?  Should I be concerned with leaving these options disabled.

Thank You....I really appreciate your help!

JLSPC

[Dark Mantis]

It would seem to be that you are usoing the correct slots for the meory but why they have to mess about changing the way the slots are numbered I don't know. It just makes it more likely that people will have problems.

No problem with leaving the power saving settings like that. I run mine with them turned off all the time. I pay for a system that has performance and don't want some idiot program deciding that it will suddenly go to sleep on me or cut back on power or something. If I want to put the system to bed I turn it off!

[TigetLi]

Hello JL,

Just want to emphasize  DM's recommendation: DO NOT USE POWER SAVINGS OR SLEEP FEATURES in either BIOS or Windows applications. It will save you much duress and frustrations.

Your own testing proves that your RAM stick when operated at a speed other than 1333 MHZ are very particular about the slot they are in and the power they are getting. The power saving features you had selected likely reduced the power provided to your RAM sufficiently to cause and access or read error to your RAM during the Windows shutdown process where Windows writes a lot of RAM info to your HHD for safekeeping. This would be threated as a hardware failure by windows and caused the normal shutdown process to end and Restart to occur. Your Windows 7 system is default configure to auto reboot upon experiencing a failure. To confirm this follow these steps:

1- Right click on the computer icon on your desktop and select properties
2- in new window that open look at the bottom left hand column for "Advanced System Settings" and LT click on it
3- Look down for "Startup and Recovery" and click on "Settings" button
4- Look in the middle of the new window for "System Failures" you will see that "Write an event to system log" and Automatically restart" options have ticked in front of them to activated them. De-activating "Automatically restart" would cause you to get the old dreaded BSOD for all future Windows failure.

How to access and read the system log files since you do not want to disable the Auto Restart Feature in windows. This is for your information only since you already know that that a combination of your RAM timing and positioning and selecting power saving features in BIOS caused the unwanted restarts.  This procedure could prove useful to you if you experience future Windows failures. Follow these steps:

1- Simultaneously press the "Windows" key and the letter "R" to open Run command window
2- In the open input line type in "eventvwr" and click OK
3- Open the folder tree under "Custom Views" and highlight "Administrative Events"
4- Look at the "Date & Time column" and focus on the time period where the unwanted event(s) occurred and then select them one at a time.
5- Use the info depicted in the lower window to gain insights - view both general and Details tabs.
6- Use the info gained at step 5 to to troubleshoot your system or select a specific error log in another more specific folders/logs available to you in log viewer

Have fun and keep the Power Saving Options in your BIOS ot Windows applications to the "Oscar, Foxtrot, Foxtrot" position

[JLSPC]

Thank You Dark Mantis and TigetLI!

It's been a few days and the issue has been resolved by disabling the power savings features.  Thanks for reassuring me it is ok to leave the power savings off permanently.   Thanks Again!

JLSPC

[Dark Mantis]

Glad to hear that. These power saving settings are a royal PITA to be honest. They cause so many problems in various guises. Anyway at least yours are soprted out now.