GA-Z68X-UD3R-B3 Hyper-Threading Bug

[Oubadah]

Updated to F7c BETA to try and fix the boot loop/overclock warning issues. It's better, but I still got one boot loop so far. But now there is a bug with HT. I always set it to Disabled, but it keeps reverting to Enabled. It doesn't do it straight away - I can boot to windows and it will still be off. But sooner or later, after a few boots, I look on the performance monitor and there are 8 threads again.

[Lsdmeasap]

Are you 100% tested stable?  If not then you can't really tell if anything is fixed until you know you are stable via stability testing.

If you are getting failed overclock warnings during boot loop issues, then your set BIOS settings even though visible will not be used until you are stable either, so that might be why it sometimes reverts because of a bootup issue causing defaults to be used instead of your set settings.

I could be wrong though, especially so if you are stable,  just tossing out some thoughts!

[Oubadah]

Yeah, I'm absolutely stock/auto and even within sandy bridge official RAM spec now (1333, 9-9-9-24, 1.5).

And even if it was a real OC/stability failure, why would it revert just HT and nothing else?

I've just noticed that there's a F7d, so I've installed that to see how it goes.

[Lsdmeasap]

Ya, that is true, thanks for the stability clarification.

Let us know if the latest BIOS also gives you this bug.   If it does, update your backup BIOS to match your main, and then be sure you start by loading optimized defaults in the BIOS, then save/apply/reboot back to the BIOS and then make any changes you need such as memory voltage, SATA settings, ect.

Here's how to update the backup BIOS
http://gigabytedaily.blogspot.com/2011/02/video-guide-how-to-update-your-backup.html

[Oubadah]

I can confirm that the bug is still very much present in F7d. I flashed the second BIOS and use optimized defaults like you said, but it still reverts. The easiest way to make it happen is use the reset button. Instead of rebooting normally, everything actually powers down for a second (fans etc. stop spinning), and then restarts.

[Dark Mantis]

I would be with Lsdmeasap here in that it certainly sounds like the board is double booting because it thinks there is a problem and then loading the Backup BIOS. Why only the HT would be different I can't explain though. Try doing an extended clear of the CMOS and then setting your BIOS up how you want it fresh.

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.

[Lsdmeasap]

I would also add, please do not use the reset buttons on P67/Z68, this is known to cause issues.

Also, make sure you update your backup BIOS to match the main BIOS, here's how
http://gigabytedaily.blogspot.com/2011/02/video-guide-how-to-update-your-backup.html

[Rolo42]

I would also add, please do not use the reset buttons on P67/Z68, this is known to cause issues.

I noticed that.  My reset button seems to mean, "Power cycle 4-6 times and reset CMOS settings and nag me about it a couple times." but the power button doesn't give me grief.  WTH!?  (my only gripe about the whole system, otherwise its perfect)

[Oubadah]

It's not just reset, it's any kind of shut down that isn't 100% 'normal'. For example, If I press the button to turn it off during the black "Loading Operating System..." screen then the next time I switch it on it it loops. I never use the reset button except just now trying to troubleshoot this board, but "not using reset" isn't an acceptable solution anyway. It reset messes up the board, then why did they even include the header?

Anyway, I did the whole remove battery and leave for an hour thing, and it was still messed up right from the get-go. When I first started it after that, it ran for about 2 seconds before powering it'self down momentarily, then starting again, running for 5 seconds, powering down AGAIN, then finally starting properly. And the HT issue is STILL apparent.

This is getting ridiculous and I'm starting to resent this purchase. These boot loop issues are a carry over from the P67 boards, and they still haven't fixed it? How long is it going to take? Between my bad experiences with P67 and Z68, and now the burning issues in the x79s, I won't be touching another Gigabyte board for a long time. What the hell happened? Gigabytes late 775 boards were second to none, and the p55-UD3 I had was trouble free. Now they can't even run reliably on stock settings.

I'll give it one more BIOS revision, then I'm buying an Intel x68.

[Dark Mantis]

I would also add, please do not use the reset buttons on P67/Z68, this is known to cause issues.

I noticed that.  My reset button seems to mean, "Power cycle 4-6 times and reset CMOS settings and nag me about it a couple times." but the power button doesn't give me grief.  WTH!?  (my only gripe about the whole system, otherwise its perfect)

Hi Rolo,

Make sure that you have the latest version of the BIOS instaled and that both the BIOS chips are synchronised. This was a know issue with certain boards/BIOSes.

[Lsdmeasap]

Please report the issue to tech support, and ask them to pass the info along to the BIOS team, as this last round of updates was supposed to fix this for everyone.
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/technical-support.aspx

You did see the Intel ME firmware update run while flashing right, this was the issue and fix (Well at least for the reboot loops you mention)?   If not, flash again using Qflash and be sure you select disable keep DMI Data.

Forgot to mention, they just released a newer set of beta's across the board, so you may want to go give the very latest a try again.
http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/28441-gigabyte-latest-beta-bios.html

[Rolo42]

Make sure that you have the latest version of the BIOS instaled and that both the BIOS chips are synchronised. This was a know issue with certain boards/BIOSes.

I'm running F5; I don't want to run beta anything on this machine unless really compelled to (beta nVidia drivers for Skyrim is the only exception so far).  As soon as I find the key to press to copy to backup BIOS (saw the post, forgot the key...F12? Shift-F12? on a PS/2 KB...), I'll do that.

[Lsdmeasap]

Beta = best!!   And actually, I never use final BIOSes unless specifically asked to test something with one, they are always the worst in my eyes!  (Yes, I'm for real!)

It's ALT + F12, and if you keep getting the boot menu, try again with the right ALT key instead.  And of course, it has to be timed just right at bootup too, so you may need to reset a few times before you get it.

USB KB work sometimes, just depends on the KB, but if you have PS/2 handy go ahead and use it so you don't have to mess around trying with a possible USB one that isn't going to work

[Dark Mantis]

From a cold start with the power to the machine switched off press the power button and then enter the BIOS by pressing Del. Then when you get to the main screen press F9. This will bring up an extra screen which will display more information about the two BIOS versions. Assuming they are different exit the BIOS and shutdown. Again press the power button and this time press Alt + F12 where you would normally use the Del key to enter the BIOS. You will fiond that then your monitor will turn black and you will see:

Press [Enter] to start copying main BIOS to backup BIOS...

When you press Enter more text will appear saying:

Writing BIOS image.... xxxKb OK

Once completed  more text will show:

BIOS successfully recovered! Power off or reset system!

Do as it says. Both Main and Backup BIOS chips now store the same BIOS version. You can now reboot as normal.


You just beat me to the draw there Lsdmeasap 

[Oubadah]

When you copy the first BIOS image to the second BIOS, does it also copy the current configuration?