Z77 chipset strange problem: write/read HDD/SSD errors [Solved]

[robert.badita]

I think there is a problem with Z77 chipsets HDD controller, bios software issue.

I bought a brand new Z77-D3H board to replace an Intel DZ68DB with a very strange problem: it read/wrote badly from/to the ssd or any hard drive introducing random 1 bit errors to each 1GB read.
The thinng is that on this board Z77-D3H it has the same problem. I cannot store on the hard drive backups/archives or any kind of data because it will be read with an error and winrar/zip for example says CRC error or damaged archive.
It is really strange at first I suspected it was the motherboard DZ68DB, but it behaves exactly the same on both boards. I have an i7-2600 cpu and Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz memory.
I've made a small program in .NET4 that creates a file with known data (random looking but deterministic), and when it reads back the same file it signals the differences/errors which look like these:

Error at index 94F117B computed = 9D actual = 99
Error at index 94F18A3 computed = 1A actual = 1E
Error at index 94F1EA3 computed = 8C actual = 88
Error at index D2EF90CB computed = 58 actual = D8
Error at index D2EF917B computed = E7 actual = E3
Error at index D2EF9183 computed = 3C actual = BC
Error at index D2EF92A3 computed = DF actual = DB
Error at index D2EF92E3 computed = 46 actual = 42
Error at index D2EF933B computed = 8C actual = 88
Error at index D2EF954B computed = 4C actual = CC
Error at index D2EF971B computed = 6C actual = EC
Error at index D2EF98A3 computed = 23 actual = 27
Error at index D2EF9D43 computed = EE actual = 6E
Error at index D2EF9EA3 computed = 1D actual = 19
Error at index E370A0A3 computed = 60 actual = 64
Error at index E370ACAB computed = F5 actual = F1
Error at index E370AD73 computed = BC actual = B8
Error at index 1AB8F30CB computed = 2A actual = AA
Error at index 1AB8F316B computed = D3 actual = D7
Error at index 1AB8F3183 computed = 56 actual = D6
Error at index 1AB8F318B computed = AA actual = 2A
Error at index 1AB8F320B computed = 75 actual = F5
Error at index 1AB8F32E3 computed = AE actual = AA
Error at index 1AB8F3CFB computed = 30 actual = 34
Error at index 1AB8F3F3B computed = 34 actual = 30
Error at index 1BC2E20BB computed = D8 actual = DC
Error at index 1BC2E220B computed = B actual = 8B
Error at index 1BC2E2373 computed = 31 actual = 35


I suspect that there's a problem with the Z68 and Z77 chipsets in the sense that they read badly from the hdd (hard disk controller problem) and it can be resolved by software (bios updates). I say this because my older board had absolutely no problem until upgrading the bios to 0040, which cannot be reverted back.
There are high chances that blue screens and freezes are caused by this problem.

EDIT: the RAM is super tested and has absolutely no problem. No overclock. To be able to install windows on Z77-D3H I had to disable cpu C3/C6 states from bios.
The ssd and hard drives work ok on another computer.
Same data integrity errors with Gigabyte bios F8 and F13.


Could you test by creating a rar/zip archive larger than the ram amount and then test it for CRC errors? It should be enough. Please post your answers with Z77-D3H board and I7-2600 CPU.
Thanks!!

[robert.badita]

Fortunately I've fixed the problem, it was a defective RAM stick - Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz CL9. Though it passed many ram tests (Windows, Prime95, Aida, MemTest).
The original configuration had 16 GB RAM (4 x 4GB). After many tests I identified the defective stick. Now with only 8GB it works very smooth - no errors for 200GB archives tested. With the defective stick in it fails for 10GB.
On short:
 - the defective stick passes many memory tests with no problem.
 - if I insert it in the computer, it completely messes the data that the Z77 and/or Z68 HDD controllers operates on, introducing ugly HDD errors.

I'm glad it's not a motherboard chipset error after all.
The Z77-D3H seems pretty good and stable at first glance.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

I am hap[py to hear that it is not the chipset that was causing the problems and that you have managed to find the culprit now. I thought it sounded more like a memory issue but when you said you had thoroughly tested them all I was at a loss. Anyway a nice easy fix now. Thanks for posting it.

[uKER]

This is incredible.
I'm having the exact same problem with a totally different setup, down to the 1-bit error per GB thing.
Here's the link to my report in case you care to look.
Hope your solution helps me too.

[Brad555]

You are right because i am also suffuring from this problem.

[8xx8xx8]

I want to install Win 7 to my OCZ Vertex 3 ssd. I am in AHCI mode, install windows, but when I test the speed with AS SSD Benchmark it shows: pciide - bad. (And of course the speed is slow.) I have also tried to set the 3 value to 0 in regedit fo msahci and IastorV, but I got the same result. (my motherboard is:  GA-Z77M-D3H)
What should I do ?

[absic]

Is the Firmware on the SSD up-to-date? It should be either 2.24 or 2.25, if it isn't then update the firmware. http://www.ocztechnology.com/ssd_tools/SandForce_Based/

Which BIOS version do you have on the motherboard? F14d is latest BIOS and if you are not running this version then it might help updating to this version.

[8xx8xx8]

Is the Firmware on the SSD up-to-date? It should be either 2.24 or 2.25, if it isn't then update the firmware. http://www.ocztechnology.com/ssd_tools/SandForce_Based/

Which BIOS version do you have on the motherboard? F14d is latest BIOS and if you are not running this version then it might help updating to this version.

I have done the ssd firmware update, secure erease, and partitioning countless times (as written on the official ocz forum). I have the latest firmware, and my bios is also f14d.
I've tried everything. Checked the AHCI mode, switched the SATA ports... nothing helps.

[barcode.uk]

I've been having the same (or similar ?) issue to the original poster.

Z77X-D3H board and 3570k i5 + 8gb Corsair vengeance 1600 ram +corsair force 3 gt 180

Brand new build and getting the occasional BSOD and whenever a large file is downloaded 500mb + the file ends up with errors or fails error check.
Very frustrating so going to try whipping a stick out later to see if this helps at all.
For the record are there any compatibility issues with this board and ram?

Same memory works amazingly well on my gigabyte z68x-ud4-b3 board.

[Blackkatt]

How can anybody say this is solved? how about everybody else where RAM is not the problem? This is to "common" to simply be a RAM problem, the logic in that is unrealistic.

I could need some help, I've tried it all. Most resent I flashed the F18f bios on my GA-Z77X-D3H and the problem seems to take longer before shows. Almost always happens when trying to do a backup.

Sounds to be its a BIOS issue?