**SOLVED: 1090T incompatible with GA-890FXA-UD5 Rev 2.1 until BIOS F5 installed*

[taft12]

I ran into a similar problem as user Darby
GA-890FXA-UD5: No post (power error)
and cp8086
GA-890FXA-UD5 (rev 2.0) & X6 1090T: no POST, 10 short beeps

and my troubleshooting led me to conclude that FOR MY SPECIFIC HARDWARE COMBINATION GA-890FXA-UD5 would not POST with a Phenom II X6 1090T installed until I updated the BIOS to the very latest version F5 which is only about 1.5 months old.

This was very odd because I have assembled this combination of motherboard/CPU before (with BIOS F4 and possibly even older) and not encountered this problem. Initially I got the 10 short beeps, but after changing the RAM configuration, I got no beep codes at all (even with no RAM installed) so I saw both symptoms described in the 2 previous forum topics.

Fortunately I have a Phenom II X4 965 in another machine which I decided to try after reading about the problems with the 1090T+890FXA-UD5 here. It POSTed with no problem. I then updated the BIOS to F5 and put the 1090T back. Now it POSTs and I'm installing the OS as we speak.

Now, of note is that this is the first 890FXA-UD5 I have seen that is rev 2.1. The last 890FXA-UD5 that came through my workplace just 1 month ago was rev 2.0 so this hardware revision is VERY new. The description of BIOS F5 only says something about a RAID ROM so I was sceptical the BIOS update would resolve the problem but sure enough it did.

This is going to be a problem for many users since a lot aren't going to have the luxury I did of another AM3 CPU to use to update the BIOS to the latest, but for me, it is required to make AMD's flagship CPU work with Gigabyte's flagship AM3 motherboard.

[absic]

Hi there,

I've just recently taken delivery of this motherboard (rev. 2.1) and it shipped with BIOS F4. I also have the Phenom ii X6 1090T and I had no problems getting it to BOOT with the F4 BIOS.

I did update the BIOS to F5 before I installed the OS so I don't know if that would have made a difference but getting into BIOS was not a problem before the update.

[Smitty]

I just joined the forum and am looking forward to taking delivery of my GA-890FXA-UD5 motherboard from Newegg tomorrow.  I intend on reusing my AMD 1090T from an ASUS motherboard, but I'm concerned about the non-start issue with the BIOS.  If I end up having the same issues that taft12 and Darby encountered, how do I update my BIOS to the latest version without having access to another AM3 processor to temporarily swap out?  I know that not everyone has been having this problem, but I'm just trying to anticipate potential issues before I encounter them.  Of course, I don't know which revision my motherboard was shipped with. 

I also plan on reusing my Corsair XMS3 4GB DDR3 kit 1600MHz RAM (CMX4GX3M2A1600C9) from the same ASUS board temporarily until I order something a little better--but I should probably wait and post that in a different thread?  I intend on this setup being my first attempt at overclocking, so I chose this board over the ASUS Crosshair boards based primarily on price.  I'll also reuse my hard drives, currently a pair of Corsair 64GB SSDs in RAID 0 for my OS, and a pair of 1TB WD platters for storage in RAID 1. 

[absic]

Hi,

my version of this board is rev 2.1 and it shipped with BIOS F4. I didn't have any problems firing everything up and I am using a 1090T.

Without another CPU to update BIOS, if you do run into any problems you're going to have to find a friendly store who will be able to update the BIOS for you as I have yet to successfully update BIOS without a compatible CPU on-board.

[Smitty]

Thanks absic, it seems these problems with the 1090T are hit and miss--so I'm just trying to be prepared for the worst, while hoping for the best.  My fingers are crossed that I don't run into any of these issues. 

[absic]

Yes, I know what you mean but at least you're approaching it the right way and doing your research first.
It's amazing the amount who only ask AFTER the event! 

[autotech]

That sounds an awful lot like me absic.  lol   BUt really i have version 1 of this board and the 1090t and it has worked from bios f-1 on up. I would think that later revisions shouldnt be a problem.  It almost makes me think to start looking at other hardware or attachments by a process of elimation to see what the real culprit is.

[Smitty]

OK. I got the board yesterday.  Its Rev 2.1.  Don't which BIOS version it shipped with yet, but if its less than F4, can I skip versions and go straight to F5, or do I have to do them one at a time?  Although I've built a half dozen systems over the years, I have NEVER flashed my BIOS before.  Never felt the need--plus a little overly cautious (read--scared), considering the damage that could be caused if done wrong.  I suppose its a lot easier to do nowadays than it used to.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi
Yes no problem skipping versions as long as you don't jump more than about three at a time for safety. You can read up on the FAQ section on the mechanics of it if you are unfamiliar. Make sure that you use the BIOS utility QFlash though not @BIOS.

[Smitty]

Thanks Dark Mantis, I read the FAQ section--good info there.  I will use QFlash instead of @BIOS.  Unfortunately I won't be able to get this thing up and running until next week.  I had planned to get it done today, but my assistant (son) arrived many hours too late.  Plus too much turkey and stuffing is making me sleepy!  I'll check back in with results (hopefully good) next week.  Wish me luck.  Happy Thanksgiving.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes the best of luck with your build (if you can get the staff to turn up on time) and let us know how you get on.