Boot failure after changing ec firmware to hybrid phenom II x2 560

[daviemarsh50]

Hi
Sorry if this has been asked before but I have been unable to find an answer.

Hardware as follows:-
750w psu
phenom II x2 560 black edition arctic freezer 7 pro rev 2
MA78LMT-US2H mobo, xilence NB heatsink + fan
radeon HD5670 graphics
1tb samsung hdd - win 7 pro 64bit
160gb sansung hdd - win xp pro 32bit

I can change to hybrid unlock all cores and boot ok with win xp. all 4 cores show and test stable I can even overclock and have a stable system.
When I swap hdd to win 7 it boots ok set to normal with stock 2 cores and will run stable overclocked to 4000ghz 1.4v but when I change to hybrid to unlock other 2 cores it doesn't get past post, I have tried hybrid and only the 2 original cores enabled, any 2 from 4 or all 4, various voltage settings and even underclocking but if hybrid is enabled it will not boot.
Hope someone can help.
Thanks

[absic]

Hi there,

well, I have to say this is a bit confusing and I am at a loss to explain why the Core Unlock works with XP but NOT with Windows 7. This has confused me even more as I have always thought that the Core Unlock feature was BIOS based and had nothing to do with the OS, still you live and learn.

The only thing I can think of is did you install the OS before you unlocked the cores? If yes, could you try reinstalling Windows 7 with the cores unlocked to see if that makes a difference?

[daviemarsh50]

Thanks for your reply I did install win 7 before I unlocked but I also installed win xp before unlocking and that works fine. don't know if it's something to do with 64bit and 32bit operating systems. I'll try re-installing win7 with cores unlocked and post results

[absic]

If the Core Unlock doesn't work with the 64 bit version of Windows 7 could you retry with the 32 bit version?

Sorry to be a pain but I don't play with core unlocking too much as I have an X6 CPU and am curious as to if it is 32 v 64 bit specific issue and just trying to narrow down the problem.

[daviemarsh50]

Well tried re-installing win 7 and it won't boot from cd rom with hybrid enabled. I tried on the hdd with win 7 on and the one with xp on, same result - loads files ok then 'starting windows' on screen then blank and back to post. On the xp drive if I leave it to go through post after this xp starts with all 4 cores but win 7 drive just repeats post. It works great as a 2 core, stable overclock to 4100ghz with low temps (28 idle + 44/46 load) and voltage at 1.4v, it just bugs me that I can't figure out why it won't run 4 cores on 64bit.

I will try with 32bit win 7 I'll post results later.

[daviemarsh50]

Now tried to install 32bit win 7 loaded files ok but then froze on 'starting windows' and wouldn't go any futher. I'm happy with it as a 2 core but hate not knowing why it does this!!

[absic]

Hi there,

I will ask some questions and see if I can find an answer for you but it might take a few days before I get a reply.

[Dark Mantis]

If you have a fresh drive try disconnecting your primary drive , connecting the new drive and then see if that makes any difference. Try the unlocking precedure with no OS at all installed and then with the different versions of Windows. As absic said it doesn't seem to make any logical sense. I can't understand what the OS has to do with the BIOS in this setup.

[daviemarsh50]

Hi
I can't understand it either this is a new build I set everything up with only 1 hdd then tried to unlock, no boot, so out of curiousity I swapped to my old hdd with win xp on and it was ok. I'll try what you have sugested and start with a clean hdd and let you know

[daviemarsh50]

Tried loading os on clean drive but no luck "windows failed to start" then BSOD showing bios errors. I've done a bit more research and it appears AMD stopped giving mobo manufacturers the 'codes' to unlock cores so they modified their boards to give the unlock facility hence the 'hybrid' ec firmware and it's this that causes the conflict. Apparently 32bit systems have more success than 64bit and it's all pot luck really depends on individual cpu, mobo manufacturer and model.

[absic]

Well, that would make sense.

I have asked Gigabyte and AMD but am still waiting for their replies to this. It will be interesting to see if they say the same thing.

[Dark Mantis]

I will be interested too. It does sound quite plausible and is fairly much how manufacturers conduct themselves!

[daviemarsh50]

Yes I'll be interested in thier replies.

[absic]

Hi again,

I have just been advised of the following from Gigabyte:

HQ tested the same configuration under Win 7 64 bit without any problem,
details are:
Model: GA-MA78LMT-US2H
Bios: F10 (the latest one)
EC Firmware: Hybrid
Calibration: Per Core (4 Cores Unlocked)
CPU Ratio: x20.5, 4000MHz
Core Voltage: 1.425V

Win 7 installation was OK, booting and running programmes also.

Why user's system can't handle Win 7 while it does Win XP?
Windows 7 does a lot of detection, driver preparation, etc that may cost heavier loading than XP before entering OS, so CPU temperature may get much higher and cause this problem.

So it could be that your CPU is overheating during the BOOT process, when trying to run unlocked with Windows 7 and it would be worthwhile checking this aspect of your system.

[daviemarsh50]

Hi Absic
Thanks for getting back to me but to be honest I don't think it's a temp issue, according to cpuid hw monitor even when running overclocked to 3.7ghz (2 core) and testing with prime 95 cpu temp is only in the 40's. tmpino 1 is the hottest at 60. Apart from that I tried a clean hdd and niether xp or 7 would install with cores unlocked but I can still run xp as 4 core and not win 7.
Just have to put it down as one of those things I suppose
Thanks for your help anyway