Z68XP-UD3 will not boot

[dosage0]

Hey I built the following build:

Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3
Intel i5 core 2500k
PC Power and Cooling MKII 500 watt

running 1x ATI Radeon 6870.

When I turn on the computer the phase lights all light up and all the fans begin to spin.  However, just after starting the CPU fan will stop spinning and there is no post.  Any help?  I'm at a loss

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

There are several reasons why this could happen.

Have you made sure that you have the 8 pin connector inserted into the motherboard along with the 24 pin ?

Is the list you have given us complete ? If not what else are you powering ?

Have you checked for a short from the motherboard to the chassis ?

Have you checked that the cooler on the CPU is attached properly ?

[dosage0]

Hey thanks... I reconnected the MB and there must have been a short somewhere.  Now I am getting an error when trying to install windows... it says page fault in non paged area.  This is after it loads from the CDRom and I am assuming is trying to install to the HD

[Dark Mantis]

Sounds like you might have a problem wioth your memory then now. First check the sticks are in the correct slots for your motherboard. If you are sure that they are then you need to 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.
 
 
 

[dosage0]

My slot 1 is overtaken by my heatsink so I am using slots 2 and 4.  Running mem test gives me boatloads of errors -- in the thousands.  It is G.Skill memory and I was wondering if possibly the bios could be the problem.  Can you direct me to a newbie guide to flashing both the current and back up bios and where does it show which revision you are currently running?

Thanks for the help

[Dark Mantis]

If you go into the BIOS and on the main page press F9 it will bring up an extra screen which will show you the two BIOS versions along with other information.

If you check this link out it should answer all your BIOS update questions:

http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,2441.0.html

I will explain how to synchronise the two BIOSes once you have done the update.

[dosage0]

Ok man thanks for all the help... I narrowed it down to one of the ram sticks being junk.  Thanks again!

[Dark Mantis]

Well that is good news in as much as you have found the problem. However don't forget that you will need to RMA both sticks as they are a matched kit and need to be kept together.

[dosage0]

hey thanks again dark... I RMA'd both sticks, got two new ones, and they run like a champ.  I am experiencing a strange cpu mhz drop with this board and cpu though.  I have my multiplier set at x47 and that gives me a 4714 cpu speed (my BLK is 100.3).  I am running fine on prime95 and my temps are all within reason at about 75 max load.  However, every now and then I will check the speed and it will be reported at 1600 by both cpuz and real temp.  I think its when my computer goes to sleep mode and when I wake it up... bam... 1600 again.  The multiplier for the ram is 16... which is an odd coincidence.  Any clue about what is going on?

Also... I'd like to disable turbo/speed step and just keep it running at one speed.  What options do I need to change?

Thanks,

Rob

[dosage0]

any hints?

[Dark Mantis]

Disable EIST, C1E, Performance Enhance set to Standard and I would suggest disabling the rest of the Power Saving and Sleep modes too.