Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3 Problems

[gehang]

Hi all,

I have a annoying problem which I'm hoping someone be able to help with. Its weird.

1- I had a working machine but I fried my bios updating it (everythin was fine) so I RMA'd it.

2- I got a new board (Asus P5Q-E). After installing the new board the computer just gave a blank screen (I don't know about warning beeps as I didnt have a internal speaker). I tried with one bank of ram, i switched cpu, nothing. I RMA'd that and the supplier refunded it as faulty after testing it (or so they say they tested it)

3 - Next I got a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3 and also an internal speaker in case it didn't work. This time the machine did turn on but I still have problems:

One thing to note here is I knocked the VGA card and bent the PCI-E slot. I managed to bend it back ok but I don't know if it's ok because I have these problems:

4 - Sometimes the machine gives a beep code for VGA error, if I restart a couple of times then it works ok. I had 64bit windows installed but I had another problem - after sometimes 5mins or sometimes 30mins or more the computer just froze..! I swapped te VGA card and it froze using the new card too.

5 - I reinstalled windows 7 but now 32-bit version and now the computer stays on pretty much the whole time. Every now and then it freezes (very infrequently) but still freezing every now and then none the less. When I installed the Dynamic Enery Saver app then the freezes became more frequent so I clean installed win 7 again and they've mostly gone away.

6 - The system seemed ok for a while but sometimes when I turn the power on I still get the VGA error and I have to turn the PC back on a number of times. I do notice that if the system starts ok then even after a freeze I can reset and the system will still boot, however theere is a vga error then using the rest switc doesn't do anything.

I have tried a diff vga card, i've tried with 1 stick of ram, I used a DVM on the PSU and all the voltage are fine on all connectors (i even tested after a freeze).

Basically I don't know if whether my psu is messed or whether the pci-e slot is bust. The thing is the system still boots and the card doesn't move at all to prompt a freeze. Sometimes the PC will be ok fine, and if I shutdown and restart then there will be a vga error.

Any ideas anyone? I will most likely RMA the board but this takes a while and if this sounds more like the psu or vga card then I'd rather change that.

Thanks,
Gehan

System:
Core2Duo E6300
4GB Ram
GeForce 9600GT
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3
Windows 7 32-bit
juli@ audio card (still freezes if taken out)
wireless n card (still freezes if taken out)

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Sounds like you've been having some bad luck there lately. Sorry to hear that.

Do you have a PCI vga card that you can try to trouble shoot it? If not, the mobo would be the first place I'd look and while I was at it, I'd check the PSU warranty and RMA it if it's still covered. I hate to recommend OCCT as a test bed, but they give you a graphical reading of your 12v, 3v, and 5v during a stability test which can kinda give you an idea of what your PSU is doing. They are not 100% but it's still something to check. I know it's beyond the point but for future reference... And only use OCCT for a testing like this otherwise for system stability use something else like LinX IBT Memtest86 Ver-(x.xx) or Prime95

 

[faxon]

sounds like you just dislodged your PCI-E slot a bit and it needs to be re-soldered. which UD3 board is it btw? there are like 6 of them (not counting different revisions, which would make 10), just ending in UD3** denominators.

 

[elconejito]

I'd guess it's the board first, then the PSU, then lastly the vid card.

 

[gehang]

It is the standard EP45-UD3, i.e. not the UD3R or UD3P or UDLR etc. I ran memtest86 via the ubuntu startup menu and that was good. I would rma the psu but unforunately the EATX 4pin power lead was too short when I bought it so I had to cut it and insert add wire and re-solder to make it reach the slot! So voided warranty I guess. (I have an Antec P160 case where the PSU is at the bottom)

The annoying thing is that the system was working fine until I started replacing motherboards. The GPU/PSU were working as they should and had been for about 2 years! It would be a bit odd if it was anything but the MB but I'm just wondering why sometimes the computer boots and stays on for hours and sometimes it doesn't boot and just gives the vga beep code. For instance the PC was on for about 12 hours just now with no problems. I guess though the PCI-E slot was bend and re-adjusted and I am having problems with VGA beep codes so it most probably is the MB! I'll run a few stress tests to check if it is the PSU otherwise I guess just RMA the motherboard and see!

Cheers for the advice guys.

 

[elconejito]

Originally posted by: gehang
It is the standard EP45-UD3, i.e. not the UD3R or UD3P or UDLR etc. I ran memtest86 via the ubuntu startup menu and that was good. I would rma the psu but unforunately the EATX 4pin power lead was too short when I bought it so I had to cut it and insert add wire and re-solder to make it reach the slot! So voided warranty I guess. (I have an Antec P160 case where the PSU is at the bottom)

The annoying thing is that the system was working fine until I started replacing motherboards. The GPU/PSU were working as they should and had been for about 2 years! It would be a bit odd if it was anything but the MB but I'm just wondering why sometimes the computer boots and stays on for hours and sometimes it doesn't boot and just gives the vga beep code. For instance the PC was on for about 12 hours just now with no problems. I guess though the PCI-E slot was bend and re-adjusted and I am having problems with VGA beep codes so it most probably is the MB! I'll run a few stress tests to check if it is the PSU otherwise I guess just RMA the motherboard and see!

Cheers for the advice guys.

I'd say that looks like the problem

I'm not any sort of electrical expert, but is there a way to check the solder? Maybe it holds up fine under most conditions, but under load it isn't sufficient?

 

[gehang]

I see what you mean but I made that change about 2 years ago and it's been fine since. I checked the voltages on the connector and they come through fine even when it froze. I guess it still could potentially be a problem. I'll rma the board then if the problems persist I know its probably the psu!