GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 reboots several times when turned on

[speedy_kevin]

When I turn on my PC I hear the motherboard and fans starting.
But then it restarts several times before the POST peep comes.
Sometimes it restarts only once, sometimes even 5 or 6 times.
Then finally it boots up past the POST.
I've flashed the latest F11i beta bios.

My Specs:
Motherboard: GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
Processor: I5 2500k
RAM: 12GB Kingstom Value Ram
Video:  AMD Radeon HD 6850
Power Supply: Antec NEO HE 500w
HDD: 1x OCZ SSD Sata (ACHI Mode)
HDD: 2x 7200RPM Sata
PCI: Creative SB Audigy 2

Besides AHCI enabled and disbaled C1/C3 there are no bios changes.

What could be the problem?

[Aussie Allan]

  Welcome Speedy_Keven

  When you updated to F11i ...did you start with "Optimized Defaults" save and reboot back into the BIOS window for the final config ?

  Aussie Allan

[Rolo42]

The Antec 500w PSU isn't on the 6850's QVL; the 550w is.

Are you running three sticks of RAM?  What speed/timings?

[speedy_kevin]

I used the 'load optimized defaults' option on the previous bios version. Not yet on f11i.
I used it now, will try a cold boot tomorrow morning and report back here.

Yes I'm running 3 sticks of RAM DDR3-1333, CL9 9-9-36.

If the PSU does not supply enough power, can that cause the restart problems?
When it finally boots it works without any problems. Even gaming (Shogun 2: Total War) gives no problem.

[Aussie Allan]

   YES! .....See how it behaves in the morning ...

   PSU ?   ... Although a tad on the low side .... if it runs "Shogun 2: Total War"  probably not in the equation .... but a thought might be ( if it's still playing up) ....would be to try staggering the spin-up of the 2 Plattered HDs on boot .... what controller do you have them hanging off and the SSD for that matter.

  Aussie Allan

[speedy_kevin]

It restarted like 8 times this morning before I got a POST beep.
The SSD (with my OS w7-64) is running on the first SATA connector, the 2 normal hdd's are on the second and third connectors.
Should I try it with the normal hdd's unplugged?

[Aussie Allan]

  Yes! again ..... it might isolate the problem quicker ..... if not ....we know the drives and their position is not the problem

  Aussie Allan

[Rolo42]

   PSU ?   ... Although a tad on the low side .... if it runs "Shogun 2: Total War"  probably not in the equation ....

I was going to say the same thing; if the PSU weren't cutting the mustard, you'd have spontaneous reboots here.

The Z68 is Dual-channel, not triple; I don't know if having one stick will force the other pair to single-channel or not.  I would take out the extra stick to ensure it isn't contributing to the current wonkyness.

[Dark Mantis]

I agree with what the other members have already said to you here but would like to add that you should make sure that you have updated the Intel ME (Management Engine) as this is often the cause of multiple boots.

[speedy_kevin]

I turned my pc off, took off power for like a hour.
Took out the third ram module and the 2 normal hdd's.
Fired it up and it only restarted once before the POST.

Turned it off again, took out the power. Put everything back in place.
Fired it up again and it worked fine.

Seems like the longer it is off power, the more restarts it needs before a POST. That makes no sense

@Dark Mantis: Can you provide me with a link where to find this update?
I tried google but couldnt find it.

[Rolo42]

Those electrons gettin' fat and lazy the longer they sit, doing nothing!

Re-seating a component may have been the fix.

Does it consistently boot properly now?

[Lsdmeasap]

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

Intel ME Firmware is included inside the BIOS (This is what matters ME Firmware, not drivers, but always up to date drivers is the way to go).  You can always get the latest drivers at Intel's site, or on your motherboards webpage (Sometimes a little dated)

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3853#dl

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=20078&ProdId=3146&lang=eng

[speedy_kevin]

Thanks for the link Lsdmeasap.
I updated my drivers and gonna backup the bios!

This morning after like 10 hours without power, I took out the third ram module and it booted at once!
Im gonna put it back at the next power-off and see what happens then

[Lsdmeasap]

Anytime!  Third ram module?   Are you using 3 modules instead of 4? 

If so, that may not be helping with any issues you are experiencing, it's probably best to run 2 or 4 on these boards

[speedy_kevin]

Anytime!  Third ram module?   Are you using 3 modules instead of 4? 

If so, that may not be helping with any issues you are experiencing, it's probably best to run 2 or 4 on these boards

Yes I'm using 3x 4GB RAM modules.
I put the third module back in, it started after 1 reboot yesterday. And this morning it worked at once.
I'm gonna see if I can find a single RAM module identical to the three already in my pc.