GA-X58A-UD3R rev2.0 won't POST

[MrBurns]

Hi,

I bought a GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R rev2.0 board as part of a bundle including 6Gb Corsair 1600 and Intel i7 950 cpu, which I put together with an XFX HD5850 black edition video card and new 650W psu.

From the start I was getting irregular POST issues. It would never boot from cold, but after repeated power cycles would, eventually POST.

I updated the BIOS to FC, which didn't solve the issue, but I did notice that enabling XMP Profile 1 seemed to help reduce the number of restarts required to get the system to POST.

I had some BSOD issues which happened when I was browsing the web stating that I needed to switch off shadowing in BIOS, which I never managed to find. But then my system simply stopped POSTing  - 5/6 weeks into use.

Quick summary -

- Pressing the power button once powers board. Fans go, LED's light but computer fails to POST
- Continuously pressing the power button eventually got the system to POST for a few weeks after purchase enabling me to access and update the BIOS to the latest version (FC) and install windows 7 64bit, however the POST issues remained, especially when cold booting
- The system went into sleep mode for the first time two days ago has now fails to POST at all (6 weeks since purchase) No beeps, black screen.
- Clearing cmos and removing battery for 20 mins fails to get system to POST
- LED's on motherboard show CPU under heavy load under default CMOS settings
- All components reseated, memory sticks tried individually, all successfully checked using Memcheck+
- Initially suspected video card, but POST issues remained, even when booting using onboard VGA

Am I missing something, or does this look like a problem with the motherboard?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

Firstly BIOS version did you have to start with?

What make/model of PSU is it?

Are you using the standard cooler on the CPU?

Which kit of Corsair memory have you got?

[MrBurns]

Hi, Thanks for the welcome.

When I got the board, it was running the FA BIOS. I looked into updating, and saw that there was an FB, and a much more recent FC. I assumed that all changes would be carried forward, so went to the latest - which seemed to update successfully.

The PSU is a 600W BeQuiet stright BN117 PSU - sorry - I had it in my head that it was a 650W for some reason, but as I'm only running 1 Video card, 1 HDD and 1 DVD drive in the system I figured this would be enough.

I am using the standard cooler, but I was monitoring my temps and noticed it started at around 49 degrees, and went over 60 when busy, so I ordered a Akaska Nero which should have been delivered yesterday, but I guess they couldn't get through the snow & ice (kinda ironic when expecting a cooler!)

Finally, the RAM is Corsair 6GB (3x2Gb) DDR3 1600 - CX/DDR3/TR36G1600C9

[Dark Mantis]

Hi
I don't know why you had a problem finding the FB BIOS but they are all available from FA to FE1 here:

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3449&dl=1#bios

I know that there have been a few issues with the BIOS versions on this board but they don't normally present themselves in quite this manner.
The next step would be to check for bent pins on the CPU socket. If you follow these instructions we should be able to make sure one way or the other.

Very carefully remove the heatsink and fan. Probably a slight twisting motion is best to release the two as the thermal paste can act like a glue.

Once off remove the CPU taking extreme care both physically and electrically(static) and place somewhere safe.

Make sure that the lighting is very good and even.

Now scrutinise the socket for any pins that are out of alignment, even slightly.
If in any doubt whatsoever take a couple of macro (close up) photos of the socket and post them on here for us to check.

Also look at the bottom of the CPU at the lands (little copper circles) and make sure that there is a mark in each somewhere near the centre.
If there are any missing marks or any of the pins are obviously bent then that is your problem.

[MrBurns]

Hi, thanks for the advice.

I've had a look at the CPU and socket. I couldn't see any obvious bent pins in the socket, and the processor seemed ok to the eye, however I took macro photo's and I'm concerned about the lands down the left side of the processor image - the marks seem to be hitting the corner of the areas - but I don't see any bent pins which could be causing this...

I've attached photos of socket & processor - please have a look and let me know what you think?

Thanks again for your help - it's very appreciated.

[MrBurns]

Here's another shot of the socket taken at an angle to make it easier to see the pins...

I still don't see any bent ones.

[Dark Mantis]

That's much better, nice and clear. I could only see two pins that were slightly bent but still within acceptable parameters. The marks on the lands (processor pads) told a different story though didn't it.

On the right hand side of the photo everything looks as it should but on the left hand side the marks are way off centre. I would imagine what has happened is that the chip hasn't been inserted parallel to the socket and put in from one side first and tilted as it went in, thus bending the pins out of alignment. Luckilly it doesn't appear to have doen any lasting damage to the socket so no real harm done. You have obviously had it out before as there  are two sets of pin marks.

When you insert it this time you must make sure that you keep it level with regard to the socket as you are placing it in. Dont forget to clean off the old thermal paste and apply a small bit of new to the CPU top.

[MrBurns]

Ok, the CPU is now back in the socket taking extra care to position the processor level to the socket, and stock cooler back on top.

Powering on results in the same issue - a blank screen with no beeps, and repeated power cycling gets me no further into the POST.

[Dark Mantis]

The next thing is to remove the motherboard from the case and test it on the workbench.

Make sure that you observe anti-static precautions.

Lay some cardboard or use the motherboard box that is non-conductive on the worktop and remove the motherboard/CPU/heatsink/fan/buzzer/one stick of memory and PSU from the case and put it on the cardboard. Add the keyboard and now I know you haven't got any graphics but try and boot. The system should try and then fail emitting a series of beeps. Please post what sounds it makes.

[MrBurns]

Ok, it's been a few days because Christmas got in the way, and before performing your suggestion I tried powering the machine on. From cold, the system tried to POST - it gave the normal single beep, but the screen only displayed vertical lines on a light brown background.

Subsequent presses of the power button had no result - back to no beeps and no display.

So, then I took all the components out as you described and tried booting - the result, after approx. 5 seconds was a single beep followed by two very quick beeps in succession.

Repeated boots gave the same result.

[Dark Mantis]

Excellent! That's exactly what should happen at this juncture. You can install the graphics card next but make sure that the metal end cover sits over the edge of the box as it is a bit longer. Dont forget to connect the power cables to it also. You cna now connect the monitor.

Try and boot again.

[MrBurns]

Ok, tried connecting the graphics card - the result is that the system reverts back to the original issue. No beep, no display.

[Dark Mantis]

In that case it is either that the graphics card is faulty or that the PSU is not supplying enough power.

[MrBurns]

Thanks, that narrows it down.

I began suspecting my graphics card when I was getting artifacting, but didn't associate it with the POST issues, but now I seem to have come full circle.

Presumably if the card is at fault, it will not operate correctly in another system, so I'm off to find a mate with a PC who doesn't mind me testing my card in it... otherwise I'll get the PSU tested.

Will let you know the outcome, thanks again.

[Dark Mantis]

You're welcome. Let us know how the testing goes though as we would be interested in whether it is the graphics card or not.