GA-MA78GM-US2H REV.1

[autotech]

installed a new amd 940 with bios F1 and now i have no post or display put the old amd 9950 in and same thing. Have switched out all parts and i mean all parts i have plenty to spare finally put all the parts on a dfi board and it post and runs fine. So how do i go about getting an rma and do they really fix them or am i wasting my time?

[absic]

Hi,
You don't need to RMA the board and yes they do fix them!

You need to update BIOS for the board to support the AMD 940 CPU the latest BIOS is F9B (a beata version) so I would recommend using F8.

The 9950 CPU is not on the CPU support list for this board so it most probably won't work, even after a BIOS update.

ATB

[autotech]

The 9950 has been in the board and working fine since i got it.  I didnt update bios but that is mute now that it has no display couldnt update bios if i wanted to. Tried f8 and swapped every part finally put  a different mb in it with all other parts so it is useable till i can get board fixed. I also followed the supports troubleshooting steps and they said to rma it. So just waiting for the rma # now.

[absic]

Hi,
thanks for the further information, however I am surprised when you state that the 9950 CPU worked on this board as I have double checked the CPU support list and I can not find it on there. ( http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2995 ) Mind you the list might not be correct and it's nice to know of this.

This list also shows that the Phenom ii X4 940 CPU is only supported after BIOS version F2, so you would still need the updated BIOS to get this CPU to work. By trying to install the 940 CPU before you updated BIOS you may have then, accidentally corrupted BIOS which is why the board no longer recognises the original CPU.

Before you RMA the board it would be worth completely clearing CMOS and trying once again with the original CPU installed to see if it will start. Clearing CMOS will return everything in BIOS to it's original factory settings, so you will need to load optimized defaults in BIOS if it works. If it doesn't then, you haven't lost anything and you can still RMA the board.

If however it does clear the problem then you will need to update the BIOS before you try installing the 940 CPU.

ATB

[autotech]

Thank you for the help i already tried that and only noticed the f2 bios needed after i tried and then i saw the 9950 wasnt on it but it worked for a year in it. For some reason with no video i cant update bios so sent into gigabyte to try their luck at itwhen it comes back will put the 9950 in it but updates bios then leave the 9950 in it. I have enough spare parts to make another around it just need a hard drive and im set. then sell it cheap to someone that needs it to recoup my losses.

I use the 890 udh5 myself with the 1090t and it works great so far.

[absic]

Hi,
thanks for the update and let us know how you get on, especially with the 9950 as, if it does work when the board comes back, that would be useful information to know.

[autotech]

I will be sure to let you know. Its terriable that the 9950 is the oldest amd i have but i upgrade to the latest when it comes out and pass down to kids first then friends. Makes me wish i hadnt sold my am2 plus dual core 3.0 but oh well. Im sure it willl be a couple of weeks at the least, holidays and all so will post back when it comes

[autotech]

I said id let you know and here is the verdict.

Dear Customer,

According to our repair report, all the hardware components on the motherboard were tested fine and the BIOS on the motherboard was reflashed


so its working will be nice to have it back and running already have someone that wants it. I bought the other customer a different board as an upgrade so he wouldnt have to wait. Will put vista 64 and 4 gigs of ram and a quad in it with of course a dvd drive. Made it really cheap and the person really needs a decent computer she is using a 10 year old compaq on hers high speed internet is like dial up...lol.
Will post back when its running just as a courtsey.

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks for keeping us up to date, it's always nice to know the outcome. So it was just a BIOS flashing problem.

[autotech]

Well it boots and runs but only with memory in slots 1 and 3 if i put ram in slots 2 or 4 wont boot at all and tried numerous sticks. All sticks work in slots 1 and 3 though. Any ideas?

Also wont go over 1.3 on processor. might do a flash back one step to see if it will help that problem. Had the same thing on my ud5 and flashing back one solved it but doubt it will help ram issue.

[absic]

Hi autotech,

What CPU and RAM are you using?
You're not the only one having issues with RAM and it seems very similar to this thread: http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,2347.0.html

His is a new GA-890FXA-UD5 board and I have suggested that he RMA it but, you have already gone through that process with your board and the symptoms are almost identical. 

[Dark Mantis]

Actually as absic said there seems to be a tremenous amount of people complaining of the same problem at present.

[autotech]

I was hoping one of you would reply lucky that i got both.  It does seem to be the same problem tech assist said to up voltage to 2.0 from 1.8 which my ram is rated at 1.8 - 2.0 So tonight i will try that. If it doesnt work im selling it for half price to someone i know.   It has a 9950 be with 2 gigs of gskill and 2 gigs laying quietly in my closet till someone needs it.  The person that is buying it just needs it for web surfing and such not gaming so i  think i will be safe.. But i will be honest with her and tell her if it goes all the way out within a year i will pay half towards a new board.

[Dark Mantis]

The boards are under Gigabyte warranty for three years so she would be covered anyway.

[autotech]

I know but not worth sending in again honestly. I would just rather get a different one maybe it will be a good one actually been building 2 years and only had 2 i had purchased go bad and fixed 1 of a dell that had a bad one in it, So the odds are good if i get a different one it will be smooth sailing