GA-870A-UD3 POSTs but splash screen freezes most of the time

[Cyurunus]

Whenever I try to boot my PC (a new build), it sometimes starts and sometimes doesn't. What I mean by this is that the computer displays the splash screen and then hangs (though the POST seems to be good), while it sometimes can boot fully. Someone advised me to check the memory and power supply, which I did. I changed the power supply and the same issue persisted.

 I've also swapped the video cards, reseated everything, etc. I can also note that none of the devices such as keyboards work when the computer freezes at the splash screen, so I cannot get into the BIOS. Every time that the system boots successfully, it fails on the next boot. I would say that the computer is working 1/10 of the time.

System specs:
Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 rev. 3.1
Corsair GS600 PSU
8GB DDR3 1333 9-9-9-9-24 Corsair XMS3
Radeon 5830
Phenom II X4 955
750GB WD Caviar Black
ASUS DVD Burner
ASUS Xonar DX

I'm just wondering if the motherboard is defective or if something else is wrong. Is it best to RMA or are there other fixes?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

First thing is does you motherboard's BIOS version support your processor ?

Have you got the latest BIOS version loaded ?

[Cyurunus]

I'm not sure how I can check the BIOS version at this point. I think it's FA though, because I have rev 3.1 and that's just the stock version that ships with the motherboard. I'm not sure though.

And yes, the CPU I'm using is supported. I haven't touched the BIOS either, although I've managed to begin the installation of Windows 7 x64.

[Dark Mantis]

The next thing to try is to clear the CMOS.

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 for at least one hour 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 Optimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

[Cyurunus]

Would placing a jumper on the CMOS reset pins work? Or should I just remove the battery anyway?

[Dark Mantis]

PLease do it exactly as  explained. There is no short cut to do it properly.

[Cyurunus]

Well, it boots up to a CMOS checksum error screen [as usual when resetting the CMOS]. I select the "default" setting, then it proceeds to reboot where it hangs up again [no ability to select the BIOS, etc. even with the POST being alright]. This has happened before to me, so I think it's probably related to the motherboard/BIOS.

[jolphil]

Hello,
Many times a checksum error can be caused by a weak battery..Not always though..They are very low cost and can be picked up at either a drug store or walmarts..It's worth the try..Then reset it just as DM suggested..
Goodluck
jolphil

Edit: Try to handle the new battery so as to not leave fingerprints on it..You can use a little alcohol and a cotton swab to wipe it clean.

[Dark Mantis]

If it is any help the battery you need as a replacement is a CR2032.

[Cyurunus]

I did pull the battery out for about three hours. Should I replace this battery still?

Also, if it doesn't work even after that, what should I do?

[absic]

Hi there,

this could be a BIOS issue and I have encountered similar symptoms with the new GA-990FXA-UD5 motherboard I am currently testing and reviewing.

If you can actually get into BIOS load Optimised Defaults save and reboot, go back into BIOS and then just set the SATA controllers for your HDD as appropriate. It is a good idea to use a different controller for your DVD drive and set that one to IDE. Also disable the Show Full Screen Logo option as this will allow you to see what is going on during POST.

I haven't got to the bottom of the problems I am encountering yet but, as I mentioned previously, I am thinking that the BIOS is at fault and as your board is one of the new Rev 3.1 AM3+ boards this could be why you are also having problems.

[Cyurunus]

Hi there,

this could be a BIOS issue and I have encountered similar symptoms with the new GA-990FXA-UD5 motherboard I am currently testing and reviewing.

If you can actually get into BIOS load Optimised Defaults save and reboot, go back into BIOS and then just set the SATA controllers for your HDD as appropriate. It is a good idea to use a different controller for your DVD drive and set that one to IDE. Also disable the Show Full Screen Logo option as this will allow you to see what is going on during POST.

I haven't got to the bottom of the problems I am encountering yet but, as I mentioned previously, I am thinking that the BIOS is at fault and as your board is one of the new Rev 3.1 AM3+ boards this could be why you are also having problems.

Ah thanks. I'll try to tinker around and see, because it does manage to work once in a while. Should I try to update the BIOS after I load the optimized settings? Or should I send it back to have it fixed if the problems persist?

[absic]

If you can get into BIOS then I would update it first (the latest version is FD) and can be downloaded from here: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3786&dl=1#bios

I would suggest that you flash BIOS using the FLASHSPI.EXE method rather than trying to use @BIOS. Hopefully the updated BIOS will solve your issues.

[Cyurunus]

The strange thing I've discovered is that when I move around the power cables [reseating them], the  computer sometimes manages to boot alright. But on the next boot, it doesn't work again. And this goes for both the power supplies I've tried.

I've still yet to get in the qflash function to get the BIOS updating working...I'll update ASAP.

[Dark Mantis]

Absic actually suggested using FLASHSPI as opposed to @BIOS or QFlash so I presume he has a reason for advising this.