5 months without a DT, cant install windows, need help

[kesparks]

got hit with malware through syfy's wonderful linking to unchecked videos.  got rid of the fake virus checker/malware/extortionware.  but afterwords couldnt install any new programs.  decided that was a good time to upgrade to a ssd.  only problem, i cant install windows at all now.  ive tried everything i can think of and have pretty much given up.  w7 64 shouldnt need drivers to load, but when i try to select my ssd it tells me there isnt a valid partition.  ive tried to format it, but i havent seen any indication that its formatted it other than a slightly smaller partition size.  heres what i have:

gigabyte ga-ex58-ud5 rev 1. f13j bios

intel 920 cpu

6 gigs corsair tr3x6g1600c8d in slots 1,3,5

galaxy 470 gpu in pciex16x1 slot

corsair v128 ssd in sata2_1

lg bluray burner in sata2_0

zalman zm850-hp power supply

system was working with all these parts when i was using a pair of 74gig raptors the only hardware changes are that i pulled those to add the ssd.  ive reset and started over with the bios settings at least 25-30 times and im ready to give up.

[F5BJR]

*
Format the SDD before install with your old OS ( Raptor ) or with another computer

Try after to install

If you have always a problem move the  DVD to  another port ( GSata in IDE mode )

Pierre

[Dark Mantis]

Yes I would agree. Put the SSD on the SATA2_0 and move the optical drive to another controller's port. You want to run the SSD in AHCI mode if possible.

[kesparks]

first off, thanks for at least trying to help.  however, none of the above posts did.  i moved the dvd to the gsata controller and kept the ssd on the intel ports, that didnt change anything.  i reset the bios once again, this time only changing the following settings from defaults:

first boot device:  dvd
second boot device: hd
thrid boot device:  disabled
int display first: pcie x16-1
ich sata control mode:  ahci
usb mouse function:  enabled
on board sata/ide cntl mode: ahci

everything else on default settings.  this lets me boot from the windows disk.  since i have a new drive with no install on it, i chose "custom" for my install type and it brings up the drive selection screen.  with the drive formatted in another computer it would not install giving me an error saying it could not find a valid partition.  i then deleted the partition, reallocated all space to a new partition and formatted it.  highlighting the new primary partition and hitting next to install windows results in the same error code.  

rebooting causes a new error that causes an infinite loop of rebooting:  recovering lost dram size.

the only way out of this loop is to shut down and remove the battery from the cmos.

hopefully this extra information can help someone figure out what im doing wrong.  if not monday i'll call gigabyte usa and hope i can get help there.  

edit: oh one other thing, although it all shows up in the MIT report, only 4gigs of ram are being shown at boot.  this hasnt bothered me as a problem because i remember the same thing happening with my old install until the chipset drivers are installed which cant be done until after windows.  but, this time it seems like all the ram settings are off.  auto settings are only 1066 speed and timings are different.

[Dark Mantis]

The "recovering lost DRAM size" is normally shown if the memory is faulty, or the wrong settings have been applied.

The other thing that you have now said about the missing memory is normally caused by either bent pins in the CPU socket or the QPI/Vtt is not correct.

[kesparks]

i'd be shocked if there was an issue with the cpu pins, since it was a working system before this and i didnt remove the cpu.  that tells me there is a possible problem with ram settings though (this certainly could be part of the problem since i had to reset the bios)  i'll reset bios once again and write down the settings bios is reporting from being auto set

[kesparks]

heres what MIT reports about the ram:

qpi freq 4859(36x)
uncorefreq 2159(16x)
mem freq 1079(8x)
turbo ratio 21
non turbo ratio 20
turbo freq 2834
non turbo freq 2699
 
and the timing reports, all channels the same:

tcl 8
trcd 8
trp 8
tras 20
tred 4
twtp 19
trfc 60
tcmd 1

[kesparks]

while waiting for another post on this i read some other threads and found this detailed guide on toms hardware

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/275856-30-gigabyte-guide

ive just tried removing all but one mem stick, i dont even get far enough to go into the bios.

[kesparks]

how cheap is this?  lian li pc 80 cases dont have post speakers, now i have to salvage one out of an older case just to see where post is failing :|

[kesparks]

im finished, i'll call gigabyte tomorrow and see if they can do anything, if not i'll order a new mb from newegg.  in the long run its cheaper to buy something new than to try to fix this one. 

[Dark Mantis]

I just looked at your settings and they looked ok to me.

A lot of cases/motherboards don't include buzzers/speakers now. I would tend to agree with you about it being a corner that shouldn't be cut especially for the sake of a few pence.

[kesparks]

fixed most of my problems:

f13j bios was the problem, downgraded to f12 and have been able to install windows.  however, my ram is showing 6 gigs installed, but only using 4 and its underclocked.  and yes, i did use the right install disk, w7pro64.  any hints on what might be going on still?

[Dark Mantis]

Usually if there is "missing" memory it is either one of two things. It can be  due to bent pins in the CPU socket or wrong settings for the QPI/Vtt. There is no hard and fast rule about the exact amount to set this to but normally between 1.15 and 1.4v. You would have to play around until you find the most stable  figure that works for your board.

Failing that you will need to check your pins carefully.

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.

Before refitting the CPU clean off all residue of the old thermal paste and the same on the heatsink and then apply a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) to the centre of the CPU once it is inserted in the socket.

[kesparks]

i have to  believe the cpu is fine, it was working for nearly a year no problem before i upgraded to the ssd and i didnt take the heatsink off or mess with it.  i'll try adjusting the ram voltages, thats possible. 

[Dark Mantis]

Try doing an extended clear of the CMOS first.

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery overnight before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Opimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self and then press F10 to save and exit.

After that make a list of your memory settings and voltages including the Uncore.