Can't enter BIOS Settings on GA-MA790xt-UD4P

[Elmo Grub]

Hello,

Hoping that someone on here can help.

I updated my motherboard BIOS recently from Award F2 (first time in the many years I've had the machine) after putting in some new hardware. Since then I have not been able to access the BIOS settings. Windows boots fine. I can access QFlash and the BOOT sequence menu but not settings or XPress Recovery. I need to get into the BIOS for a few reasons.
I press DEL repeatedly at the splash screen all I get is a black screen with a flashing cursor top left in a situation almost identical to this very old post here:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=1769861
"Some of the replies indicate that some folks don't understand the problem. So to rehash: If I don't press delete during the splash screen, then the computer boots into Windows normally. If I do press delete, it ***TRIES*** to enter the BIOS, but hangs at a blank screen with a blinking cursor instead. I have:

1. Checked the memory with Memtest-no errors
2. Checked general system stability with 8 hours of Prime-no errors
3. Cleared the CMOS multiple times
4. Reflashed the BIOS multiple times
5. Checked the CMOS battery voltage-within spec
6. Removed all PCI, SATA, and IDE devices-no differences
7. Used only one stick of RAM, in different slots
8. Set the 'Safe Boot' jumper-no difference"

I tried about all of these things prior to finding the above post. I have replaced the CMOS battery with a new one. Tried 4 different BIOS inc F4, F7, F8, F9b from the Gigabyte website. Nothing seems to be working. Any one have any idea what the problem might be and how to fix it.

Again... Windows boots fine. I can access other things from the splash screen. Pressing DEL takes me to a black screen with a flashing cursor top left and hangs. I have cleared the CMOS, replaced the battery, reflashed the bios many times with four different versions, tried it with all peripherals and components disconnected other than the bare essentials. I cannot get into the settings. Gigabyte support has been sketchy and not told me anything I don't know or haven't tried which is why I'm here asking, and would be amazingly grateful to anyone that can help.

Cheers.

 

[Burpo]

Are you using a USB keyboard?

 

[mjdupuis]

When you cleared CMOS did you unplug the power supply from the wall and let it sit without battery and powercable for a bit?

edit: also, is there a Win app you can install to reboot directly into BIOS?

 

[LTC8K6]

Would running Xpress Recovery from a CD work?

 

[Elmo Grub]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I have been using a USB keyboard and this occurred to me as a possible issue. I had trouble finding a PS2 locally but got one off of Amazon and will try that this evening. I thought to myself though that because I can access QFlash and POST screen from the splash screen using a USB keyboard, and that I can get to the black screen with flashing cursor, that it is recognising the USB so dicounted as a likely source of the problem. Time will tell when I try the PS2 tonight.

I did switch off and unplug when resetting the CMOS. I've used the jumpers to do it as well as removing the battery for 30 mins and replacing the battery entirely.

edit: also, is there a Win app you can install to reboot directly into BIOS?
If there is can someone tell me where to find it? I've not seen one and will search t'internet for one.

I've recovered the BIOS using DualBIOS but it seems just to load the mosrt recent version I flashed it with. I could try using XPress recovery from the a CD.

Cheers. Any more suggestions? Does it sound like a fundamental hardware issue? I don't see how the motherboard could be damaged in such a way that everything is possible but entering the BIOS settings - it would seem a bit strange for that to be the case but I've no idea if it's at least possible.

 

[chemwiz]

Is the keyboard plugged into a USB 2? I've had problems when it was plugged into a USB 3 port.

 

[Elmo Grub]

No luck with the PS2 keyboard. Definitely a USB 2 socket I'm putting the USB keyboard into. The green lights on the PS2 are on from starting the machine to trying to enter the BIOS settings but after that they are not on, and not on when I restart until I enter windows again. Very strange. I'll have to get someone to look at it for physical damage I guess. Maybe there's something wrong with the CMOS chip itself. Then again inking now it might just be easier and cheaper to buy a new board and cpu.

 

[Burpo]

Have you tried holding a key down and powering it up? Should throw a keyboard error & may let you into bios afterwards.

 

[Elmo Grub]

Thanks for the suggestion Burpo. Tried it, unfortunately didn't work. Really can't figure the problem. Getting into windows is fine, plan to upgrade later in the year so will just lump it till then - probably cost me more to get fixed at a shop than replace it. Don't understand how everything else works (windows, QFlash, boot menu, post screen) except for getting into BIOS settings. Seems a very specific problem.

 

[Elmo Grub]

Solved. The problem was the new RAM modules I had bought. For some reason they seemingly work fine, registering in windows with no detectable faults, but they wouldn't allow me into BIOS. I put the old ones back in and now it's fine. I still find this odd. The new modules were hyper fury x series 1866, 2x8GB modules. From what I read before buying them it seemed they automatically downgrade to 1666 and work. The hyper x series was listed as compatible and Gigabyte support knew which ones I was using and didn't raise it as a potential issue. Live and learn.