Official GIGABYTE Forum
Questions about GIGABYTE products => Motherboards with Intel processors => Topic started by: Azure Prower on November 11, 2011, 12:13:21 am
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Hi everybody,
I've been having this problem almost ever since I built my PC back in late 2009. After my PC has been switch off for a while. On occasion, booting up cold into Windows 7 64-bit, some times it will freeze after about 5-30 minutes in and hang until the reset button is pushed or power button is held down. The mouse some times is free to move around, but cannot access any thing, before eventually the mouse also freezes up if it hasn't already initially.
This problem doesn't always occur when I cold boot, but it is usually when it occurs. Some times toggling XMP mode starves off the problem for about a week before it returns.
For the past week I left my PC on the entire time and there have been no problems or freezing. But I know I cannot keep my PC powered on forever.
My current specs:
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: X58A-UD7 rev. 1 (BIOS version: F7)
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 950 @ 3.07GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
Memory: Corsair CMD8GX3M4A1600C8 x 3 (6144MB RAM)
Available OS Memory: 6142MB RAM
Page File: 2011MB used, 10271MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
SLI Display drivers:
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT x 2
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9800 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 3816 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1001 MB
Shared Memory: 2815 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 960 (32 bit) (60Hz)
PSU: Antec 1000 watt
I've tried things from updating the BIOS to playing with the memory chips by changing their slot configuration physically as well as voltage settings/XMP mode (which are now currently back to default). I suspect it had some thing to do with my memory sticks and have ordered a new set of chips to see if this could be the problem. But the threads I've been reading whom have a similar problem (with mother boards such as gigabyte X58A-UD3 and X58A-UD7) said changing the memory sticks didn't solve the problem and I have not seen any solutions yet. Not to mention Memtest has passed on the memory sticks I have currently.
Before I try any thing else, I'd thought I'd check on these boards for any help or advice on what the problem could be. But if changing the memory sticks does work, I'll be sure to let every one know.
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Welcome Azure Prower
As you no doubt have worked out it could be several (Hundred) things .....when you ran memtest, ....was it in slot 1 and 10 passes for each dimm?
This is the recognized standard to emphatically prove there goodies and all will except that!
One fix that has worked for some people is to simply input the memory timings manually and up the memory voltage a squeak (if 1.5v....up to 1.55v)
Let us know if the problem persists and we will have a closer look!
Aussie Allan
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Welcome Azure Prower
As you no doubt have worked out it could be several (Hundred) things .....when you ran memtest, ....was it in slot 1 and 10 passes for each dimm?
This is the recognized standard to emphatically prove there goodies and all will except that!
One fix that has worked for some people is to simply input the memory timings manually and up the memory voltage a squeak (if 1.5v....up to 1.55v)
Let us know if the problem persists and we will have a closer look!
Aussie Allan
Done playing with the RAM. Did all you said when I posted my issue on the Corsair forums. Nothing worked.
Going to be replacing the RAM sticks with an entirely different brand tomorrow. So that will totally rule out the RAM as being the problem if the issues continue.
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DONE!....let me know if that works....if not we'll take it from there!
Aussie Allan
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I've now placed in 3 Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K3/12GX memory sticks at default settings. First cold start has had no problems. But I'd say give it a week or two before I find out if it was a success or not.
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I can't say I am surprised that you were having problems with the original memory modules as they are not recommmended for this motherboard. Corsair RAM is really good stuff but as with everything it has to be matched to the chipset/motherboard. If memory serves me right the set you have bought comes as a 4 piece kit not 3 anyway. Have you just left one out ?
I have the same board as you and use Corsair Dominator RAM the CM3X2G1600C8D which is supported as a matched tripple channel kit and it works wonderfully. You must check your intended purchase for support before buying it.
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Welcome again Azure Prower
Dual, triple and quad channel is a fantastic technology......but to use it effectively or at all......the right modules have to be purchased in the first place.......the days of just whacking in any memory and firing up the beast are gone forever ;)
Prices will come down as they always do but if you want a scary thought....."goggle" Quad channel kits that are available for the soon to be released X79 platform.
Aussie Allan
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Indeed. I was only aware that my motherboard didn't support quad channel shortly after my purchase when these freezing issues started occurring back in 2009. So I had removed one memory stick and put them in the correct slot format for triple channel.
The people at Corsair assured me that it would still work fine, even though the memory sticks wasn't on the recommended list: http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-x58a-ud7.pdf (http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-x58a-ud7.pdf)
So I'm putting the theory to the test with some memory sticks that were on the list. Which are now installed into my PC's setup.
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Azure Prower
As you said .....it should work.....Corsair is a top notch manufacturer and supplier.....there quality control right from purchasing the very best chips through to assembly and quality control ensures compatibility across a wide range of third party platforms.
Go with what the corsair support said but please keep us in the loop if you don't mind..... it really help us here when we get the gos with peoples problems and how Manufactures treat them re after sales service.
Aussie Allan
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I spent weeks going with corsair support and they eventually just said RMA it as there was nothing else they could suggest.
How ever, I tested the new memory sticks. Same results occurred today. A little less than a week from when I installed them. The freezing returns.
So now I know for sure, the problem is not with the RAM. The question is now what else it could be.
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Of the long list of gigabyte support software and the USB3 (driver package).....are you using any or all of these ?
Aussie Allan
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Of the long list of gigabyte support software and the USB3 (driver package).....are you using any or all of these ?
Aussie Allan
Short of installing new marvell drivers (heard it is not recommended). I have installed all the latest drivers from: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3251#driver (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3251#driver)
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Azure Prower
Not drivers I was referring to but the support software (probably should have said Utility's) like Smart6, Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2 ext .... all of these can play havoc with stability on the X58 platform...... another trick is to disable all C state BIOS....anything that can be associated with energy saving can play havoc.....The last one as stated earlier is the USB3 and drivers.....If disabled also can have an impact on stability.....If disabled in BIOS it will just revert to USB2
Once true stability has been established......you can introduce the ones you feel you need or want one at a time checking stability along the way....
Hope this helps from one X58 owner to another
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Azure Prower
Not drivers I was referring to but the support software (probably should have said Utility's) like Smart6, Dynamic Energy Saver™ 2 ext .... all of these can play havoc with stability on the X58 platform...... another trick is to disable all C state BIOS....anything that can be associated with energy saving can play havoc.....The last one as stated earlier is the USB3 and drivers.....If disabled also can have an impact on stability.....If disabled in BIOS it will just revert to USB2
Once true stability has been established......you can introduce the ones you feel you need or want one at a time checking stability along the way....
Hope this helps from one X58 owner to another
I have not seen any of those utilities before. So I would assume no.
Not sure what you mean by C state BIOS.
USB3 controller I could possibly disable it in BIOS, how ever I don't think it is the problem.
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It's all in the manual but here's a pickie....
Disable C3/6/7 ...to do with ...( it's in the manual :Dl)
and EIST and Enhanced halt as well
leave thermal monitor on....in fact read up on this entire page.....it's actually pretty important to a stable X58
"USB3 controller I could possibly disable it in BIOS, how ever I don't think it is the problem." .... you may be surprised....this has been a well documented fix for many......again all I'm doing is giving you a list of all the ones I know.....once you get it stable you can turn on piece by piece to find the gremlin..........as you know ....all PCs are different
Aussie Allan
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Alright. When I get around to loading into the BIOS. I'll try out these fixes.
Thanks for the picture by the way. I don't usually like making changes in the BIOS unless I know what they do.
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there all in the Manual and well documented on the net........Riding a bike ;)
Aussie Allan
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Oh yes. I got the manual right in front of me in hard copy form. Just there's so many options that are not relevant to my issue until you point it out where they are. :)
Just not fond of feeling my way through the BIOS. I always try to leave it alone and usually leave it on default settings if I can help it. Last thing I would want to do is create more issues for myself by messing around with the options that I may or may not understand what they do from the brief description in the manual.
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Totally understand......if you pick just one .....and goggle....you'll end up with about 500,000hits :D
What a lot of these C states for instance end up doing is stuffing around with a nice constant , stable voltage to the CPU....near on all overclocker will disable anything that introduces variations in supplied voltage to get stability on the knife edge so to speak.....this as you have found out can have benefits with even memory at stock speeds and voltages........on of the biggest differences I can give to you on a platter.....is disable, go to sleep, hibinate and low power states while-inactive (in, control panel/ power options/Power management profiles) even set the monitor to off I have set at 1 hr!
If you feel you're groping in the dark....pick one....goggle and do some reading.....then disable just that one and see if it has the desired effect
Aussie Allan
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Yes it is fairly safe to disable all power saving and sleep settings in the BIOS and Windows. A lot of people forget that Windows has a lot of the same settings so need to be disabled too.
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It's all in the manual but here's a pickie....
Disable C3/6/7 ...to do with ...( it's in the manual :Dl)
and EIST and Enhanced halt as well
leave thermal monitor on....in fact read up on this entire page.....it's actually pretty important to a stable X58
"USB3 controller I could possibly disable it in BIOS, how ever I don't think it is the problem." .... you may be surprised....this has been a well documented fix for many......again all I'm doing is giving you a list of all the ones I know.....once you get it stable you can turn on piece by piece to find the gremlin..........as you know ....all PCs are different
Aussie Allan
Alright. Kept my PC powered on since the last freeze that I posted.
Going back to Allan's post. I went into the BIOS and disabled what he said.
C3/6/7 was of course disable by default. Enhanced I disabled and EIST I disabled. Though a little concerned about disabling EIST as it dynamically reduces the CPUs voltage to reduce average power consumption and heat. I wouldn't want my CPU to over heat or any thing even though I have warnings and Thermal monitor enabled.
Also disabled the USB 3 in BIOS for good measure.
Going to power off my PC tonight and see how it goes in the morning.
Give me about a week to see if that did any thing to help. If the freezes come back before then, I'll come back and post sooner about it.
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Okay. It's been a week. Not a single freeze yet!
I think that may have been solution. :)
Two years to figure this out and all it could of been was a simple option toggled off in the BIOS. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.
Edit: Nevermind. Guess what? After I made this post, I went on youtube, opened up a video. It froze 10 seconds into it. The same freeze that I've been getting as always.
I think my PC just likes to taunt me some times. :(
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All the little tweaks seem to have had an effect.....that good news .... next one is to provide just a nudge to the voltage of the memory and the CPU.
Pick the memory first I would and bump the memory up one notch or two if it's running pretty standard and do an extended test again.......If it persists........do the same for the CPU .
Aussie Allan
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All the little tweaks seem to have had an effect.....that good news .... next one is to provide just a nudge to the voltage of the memory and the CPU.
Pick the memory first I would and bump the memory up one notch or two if it's running pretty standard and do an extended test again.......If it persists........do the same for the CPU .
Aussie Allan
Changing the options in the BIOS has had the same effect as it did toggling XMP mode. ie. It stops freezing for a week and comes back.
When playing around with my ram voltages as directed by Corsair, I changed the voltages for the CPU to 1.3v and the DRAM to 1.66v.
Freezes still occurred. So that didn't help.
My voltages are back to default now by the way.
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If I'm reading what you posted correctly .... My voltages are back to default now by the way. .... you'll have the best chance of a stable platform using all the tweaks in unison .
Looking for the single magic bullet to fix the problem I don't think is the best way forward...you proved "C" state worked to some extent.....add to it!
Where dealing with the PC god .... there's no hard rules ;)
Aussie Allan
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Alright.
I've bumped my QPI from 1.2v default to 1.3v.
I've bumped my DRAM from 1.5v to 1.6v.
Still fully expecting a freeze to happen. Where to go from here in case it does?
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Wait till the fat lady sings me thinks!
Aussie Allan
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Froze again today.
Though my UPS saved me from a brown out minutes before hand is the only thing I can think of that is noteworthy before the freeze.
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Symptoms have returned. Booted up my computer and logged into Windows 7. Froze on my desktop. Upping the voltage, may have helped. Though I don't know how much higher I can go before I would be harming my system by heat if I try to up it more.
My PC has also been doing some weird things, the day before it suddenly started to have graphical lag with the sound cutting out until I restarted my computer. I have no clue what caused it either.
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Another freeze, only 6 days apart this time around. Running the same settings that I have reported last.
Feeling like there is no solution to this problem.
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right , something else to try ... would be nice to fix this in 2011 ..... rip all the Marvell drivers out ..... all the ports will still work just under windows legacy .... bar the CPU it has to be a driver issue....... and happy new year
Aussie Allan
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Alright. Possibly found the problem.
Being a hot January, my computer was running a little hot. So I decided to remove one of my graphics cards to reduce power consumption and heat production. Only running on one graphics card instead of SLI.
Haven't had a cold boot freeze since early January. Even reverted all the changes you told me to make in the BIOS, voltages, CPU settings changes, etc.
Still running perfectly after a week.
Also a late happy new year to you as well. :)
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I have now seen this SLI / cold boot freeze problem 3 times in as many weeks ..... could be a Nvidia driver/SLI driver issue ?
Thanks for keeping us all-informed ..... would you mind keeping us in the loop if there's any changes ?
Aussie Allan
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I'm now 100% sure taking out the second graphics card did the trick.
Haven't had a freeze ever since. It's been almost 2 months with out it occurring now.