Z68X-UD3H-B3 reboots using onboard graphics

[dikal]

I recently upgraded my system. New components are
- Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 (ver. 1.3, BIOS version F9 or F10, optimized defaults
 - i5 2400
 - 2 sticks of Kingston KVR1333D3N9 /4G (2x4GB) 1333MHz DDR3
 - DVD LG GH22NS70 SATA
 I also included:
 - HDD Western Digital 640GB Caviar Black SATAII
 - PSU Thermaltake W0151 QFan 500W
 
The problem is that the system reboots suddenly.
 
During windows clean installation (win7 64 ultimate sp1), the computer reboots during the "completing installation" stage, and I have to reinstall from the start.
 
When the installation succeeds, reboots happen rarely without the VGA driver.
 I tried installing only Intel chipset driver ver. 1030, or all other drivers except VGA; in both cases, after Intel VGA driver installation (latest version 2559 from Intel, 2509 from Gigabyte and 2219 that I found somewhere in the web) the system becomes completely unstable. It reboots in 2' max using windows (even if the system is idle).
No blue screens at all (automatic reboot is disabled), and event logs write about power loss.
 
I already replaced the motherboard with a new one (same model), but the problem persists.
 I checked the RAM modules, one at a time in socket DDR3_1, using memtest86+ 4.20 (12 passes each, no errors).
 I tried:
 - Another RAM module (Kingston KVR1333D3N9K3 2GB), and another PSU (Coolermaster 450W).
 - Using another HDD (Seagate 500GB).
 - Downgrading the memory speed in BIOS setting, to 800MHz.
 - Another Keyboard and mouse.
 - Build the system outside the case.
 NOTHING - NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL.
 
Disabling C3/C6 processor state in BIOS makes system more stable, meaning that it reboots, but not immediately.
 
If an expansion VGA card is installed, I can use the processor graphics with no reboots at all (connecting the monitor cable in the onboard DVI or D-Sub Port, and disabling the expansion VGA via the Windows Device Manager).
 No reboots using the expansion VGA too.
 
Is there anything else that I can try, to use the onboard graphics without an expansion VGA? Maybe a setting in BIOS?
 I don't have another CPU to try.
 What else do you suggest to do?

Thank you very much in advance, and excuse me for the very long (and maybe confusing) post.
 

[Dark Mantis]

Hi,

It would sound like a power supply problem in the first instance. How old is your PSU ? It isn't overly big but if it is new I would think it should run the system alright just about.

Do you have any other hardware attached to it in your system ? Can you post a complete list of the components in your system please.

Have you cleared the CMOS before updating the BIOS prior to installing the OS on the motherboard ?

[dikal]

- My PSU is 3 years old http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1247&ID=1513#Tab1. But it runs perfect whith an expansion VGA installed. Furthermore, I tested whith another PSU (coolermaster 450W), witch is one year old, and used only for test purposes. Isn't strange?

- No, I haven't attach any other hardware. Just what it is listed. I tested the second motherboard outsite the case, without flashing the F10 BIOS. That's why I haven't clear the CMOS. The reboots occured with BIOS F9, before flashing to F10.

[Dark Mantis]

So does the same happen when the BIOS has been flashed to F10 ?

If your PSU is three years old it is diminishing in performance then. It is probably only outputting 85-90% of the power it was when new. The manufacturer recommends a PSU of 550W.

The other thing that can cause ther same symptoms as you are experiencing is the memory. I take it you did check before purchasing that this memory is compatible with your motherboard ?

You could try running Memtest86+ for testing it. It takes a while though but runs from a boot disk so not having Windows installed is no problem.

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.
 

[dikal]

Yes, the same problem happens with F9 and F10.

The test with Memtest86+ has been already done, as I mentioned in my 1st post:
"I checked the RAM modules, one at a time in socket DDR3_1, using memtest86+ 4.20 (12 passes each, no errors)."

So you thing the problem is the old PSU. I have in mind to check with a new, but I don't want to buy a new one now, just for testing.
Do you think CPU seems to be ok?

Thanks a lot for your answers!!

[Dark Mantis]

I have just been onto Kingston's website and tracked down the motherboard and memory modules and apparently they are compatible so there shouldn't be any problem there.

You could try disabling all the things in the BIOS that are not essential and see if that makes any difference. Also disable all the power saving modes also.

[dikal]

I have just been onto Kingston's website and tracked down the motherboard and memory modules and apparently they are compatible so there shouldn't be any problem there.

Yes, I have seen that, too. You do great job here ! 

You could try disabling all the things in the BIOS that are not essential and see if that makes any difference. Also disable all the power saving modes also.

Ok, but when you buy a mobo, RAM, CPU, compatible to each other, they have to work altogether without disabling features. If they don't, probably one of them is defective.

But ...

If an expansion VGA card is installed, I can use the processor graphics with no reboots at all (connecting the monitor cable in the onboard DVI or D-Sub Port, and disabling the expansion VGA via the Windows Device Manager).

... anyone can think that
A. CPU's graphics core works fine when an expansion VGA is installed, but we don't use it.
B. RAM has passed memtest86+ testing and it works fine in the above case.
C. Motherboard is already replaced by a new one, and both of them have the same behavior.
D. PSU can supply power to a system with an expansion VGA, so there should be no power problem if that VGA is removed.

Can you find a reason for that ? I am confused.

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hi dikal,  

My english is not very well. So normaly I speak French.

What is your exactly situation now?

Have you make a modification in BIOS? If yes... describe it... thanks.

Have you a Error message, BSOD ? If yes, give us a Error code or number 0x000000xx

Reformulate your message please.

Gloup_Gloup.

[dikal]

Hi dikal,  

My english is not very well. So normaly I speak French.

What is your exactly situation now?

Have you make a modification in BIOS? If yes... describe it... thanks.

Have you a Error message, BSOD ? If yes, give us a Error code or number 0x000000xx

Reformulate your message please.

Gloup_Gloup.

Hi Gloup_Gloup! Sorry if my post was so confusing....

In conclusion:
When I use only the onboard VGA (no expansion VGA installed), the system reboots, without BSOD, error messages etc.
No modification in BIOS settings.
The situation now is that I have installed an expansion VGA, and the reboots are gone.
But I try to find out what is the cause of the problem.
Your help is very important to me. 

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hi dikal,  

What is your Revision about Motherboard?  EDIT01: I view in Original Post 1.3 ...okay now.
Just for help you about a Revision of motherboard, see
how do I distinguish between the different revisions of the same model?
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/faq-page.aspx?fid=864

What is your actual Bios version?

EDIT02:

I see in your motherboard manual, page 10:
http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_ga-z68x-ud3h-b3_v1.3_e.pdf

Onboard Graphics
Integrated Graphics Processor:
- 1 x D-Sub port
- 1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200
* The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter.

- 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200
- 1 x DisplayPort, supporting a maximum resolution of 2560x1600p

If you want , read more infos page 20-21 about Monitor connections.

In page 41 your have this parameter:
Internal Graphics Clock
Allows you to set the onboard graphics clock. The adjustable range is from 400 MHz to 3000 MHz. (Default: Auto)

Do not touch this parameter. Wait a recommendation, more later.

In the section Bios - Advanced BIOS Features
In page 48-49, you have this parameter:
Init Display First                                    Onboard                       Sets the onboard graphics as the first display.
Onboard VGA                                        [Enable If No Ext PEG] PEG=PciExpress Graphics Card.

Otherwise if you want use Onboard Graphics AND PciExpres Card, read it, page 49
Always Enable
Always activates the onboard graphics, whether or not a PCI Express graphics card is installed.
If you wish to set up a dual view configuration, set this item to Always Enable.


Again in page 49, you have a parameter for On-Chip Frame Buffer Size
Frame buffer size is the total amount of system memory allocated solely for the onboard graphics controller. MS-DOS, for example, will use only this memory for display. Options are: 32MB+2MB for GTT ~ 480MB+2MB for GTT. (Default: 64MB+2MB for GTT)

Please verify what are the parameters now.

I continue the search about your situation... EDIT06 of Topic - 22h12pm: I ended my search.

Gloup_Gloup

[dikal]

Hi dikal,  
What is your actual Bios version?

BIOS version F10,
thanks Gloup_Gloup

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hi dikal,  

Ok thanks for infos.

Now I search infos about your situation... okay.
So check this Topic AND my EDIT add infos...  EDIT03: Check always my changes and add infos in this Topic.

EDIT04:
What is your monitor resolution? What do you want about this? Less or more?

Do you want to use the graphic chipset (onboard graphics vga) AND one PCI Express video card, or not?
The graphics chipset only OR only the third graphics card?

EDIT05:
In manual, page 48-49:
Finaly, set a parameter for Full Screen LOGO Show at Disabled

Full Screen LOGO Show
Allows you to determine whether to display the GIGABYTE Logo at system startup. Disabled displays normal POST message. (Default: Enabled)

AND

Set a parameter for Quick Boot  at [Disabled]

The best for seeing the message in POST and Error or BSOD message... set to Disabled for LOGO and Quick Boot.

Gloup_Gloup

[dikal]

Hey Gloup_Gloup
You did great job! I checked all the information very carefully. Just keep in mind that all BIOS settings have the default values, and I can use the motherboard's DVI port.

[Gloup_Gloup]

Hey Gloup_Gloup
You did great job! I checked all the information very carefully. Just keep in mind that all BIOS settings have the default values, and I can use the motherboard's DVI port.

Hi dikal,

Thanks for appreciation. Good.

If Bios is setting to Default values... you said what?
What choice have you made? Which one of the two?
In past time or few time?

Load Fail-Safe Defaults
OR
Load Optimized Defaults

Gloup_Gloup

[dikal]

Gloup_Gloup,
I use the Optimized Defaults. I don't know if there is really a difference between them.
My monitor resolution is 1920x1080 and is ok for me.
I want to use only the onboard graphics. I can do that, but here is the problem.
I have disabled screen LOGO, automatic restarts and all that kind of thing.
Thanks once more.