Ga-x58a-ud3r won't boot windows 7.

[Dramey]

Ok, this is a weird one. A couple weeks ago, I noticed my computer had hung, so I hit reset. I haven't been able to get it to boot since. I've since swapped out every part except the PS and the MB.

It posts fine and I can get in to bios. It gets to the Starting Windows screen and just when you think the login screen is going to pop up, it resets itself. Now here is where it gets weird. It does the exact same thing when I try to boot up using either the original Win 7 disk or the recovery disk. Even with a single freshly formated hd hooked up. So repairing and or reinstalling aren't options.

Here is where it gets even weirder, I plugged in an old xp boot drive and though it was from a totally different system, it was at least able to boot to the desktop without crashing. So it seems to be a Windows 7 only issue.

My first thought was that it had to be a video issue, but i have swapped around 4 video cards now, 2 nVidia, 2 AtiI have tried pulling out and swapping sticks of ram, and multiple hard drives. It also doesn't seem to be a heat issue.  I am using 64 bit Win 7 if that matters.

Anyone have any ideas what might be causing this? I am at a loss other than it must be the MB.

Darren

[teknology9]

Hi,

Which BIOS version are you using?

BIOS versions for your board are here:

 http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3449#bios

Just verify which one so others can try and help you.

Teknology9

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

I would suggest clearing the CMOS (as the use of the reset button can cause damage) and then flashing to a new BIOS. Make sure that you disable the "Keep DMI Data" on the QFlash homepage.

[Dramey]

I do have an older bios, I'll try upgrading that and let you know, thanks.

[teknology9]

Hi,

Remember to use Qflash and a pen drive, absic and DM have written a post about the procedure here:

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

Teknology9

[Dramey]

I had to buy a new flash drive as I couldn't find mine anywhere.  New problem, I can't qflash the bios as I am getting a filesize error. A quick search tells me I need to upgrade from inside of windows to fix that... Paradox. Is there an older bios I can download somewhere?

[teknology9]

Hi,

Have you formatted the pendrive to FAT32? Could you use the snipping tool or something similar to show which file you tried to flash the BIOS with? The only BIOS's are those which were listed in an earlier post as far as I know.

Use the USB ports on the back panel and not the front.

[Dramey]

I was able to get the oldest bios listed to load.

It looked like it upgraded without a hitch, but now the machine resets right after the post screen. I can still get in to the bios, and I have tried both the optimized and safe defaults, but neither fix it. I can't get back in to qflash either. Is it toast?

[Dark Mantis]

Try doing an extended CMOS clear first following these instructions exactly:

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 Optimised 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.

Now you should be able to reflash your BIOS with the same file but using QFlash with the Keep DMI Data disabled and hopefully after doing so you can Load Optimised BIOS Defaults.

[teknology9]

Hi,

What revision is your MB 1.0 or 2.0?

[gd]

i would ask if any of the parts replaced had blown while in the mobo ? .
if not ! put them working parts back and test with updated bios . replace 1 thing at a time after that ,, it helped me    .
if any of the parts had blown , did it ruined the port it was plugged into at the time .

hope it helps 

[teknology9]

Yes, of course, but you want to use a BIOS meant for another revision would you.

Rev 1.0 BIOS is different to Rev 2.0......have a look yourself.

[Dramey]

It's a rev 2 board, and I did use the right bios.

I forced the back up bios to rewrite the main bios, and now I am back to where I started. It reboots just as Windows starts. I have a new board coming today. If that solves the problem I will RMA this one and sell it or build a backup machine with it.

[teknology9]

Hi Dramey,

Have you seen this post by absic?

http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,5704.0.html

It's a different MB but the same principles apply, by this I mean if you view the part where absic has assembled just the basic components cpu, ram etc and booted up to see the the Gigabyte splash screen and then heating a single beep. Some may think that this is a long winded way but it helps in verifying that all components are working as they should and helps to eliminate any problems before you install the OS.

Have a read of absic's post, take a break and then come back to the issue with fresh clear mind, if all is ok then proceed from there. You could also use memtest just to make sure the memory is fine, again it's just  checking so that you can identify any problems.

A moderator is likely to come along and advise you further but there is no harm in doing what is stated in absic's post even with your new MB. I have 2 pendrives, one with all the drivers for the MB and the other containing the BIOS formatted in FAT 32.

Hope this helps,

Teknology9

[Dark Mantis]

Totally agree there teknology9 all good points. There is nothing wrong in taking it slow and meticulous rather than rushing ahead and having problems. In fact many have to go back to this step to sort out some issue that was overlooked in their haste. It is very easy to miss some small point no matter how long you have been doing it.

Likewise I always keep the necessary files on a pen drive just in case. Only problem is trying to remember which drive it is out of a drawer full!