Gigabyte Z87x-UD3h & USB / SATA issues, and now random BSODs

[wand3r3r]

So I thought this board was great based on specs alone plus I had a z77 version.

Early issues getting up and running (I'll leave them there for reference, but are irrelevant to the issues I have now):

Spoiler

Well, when you boot only 2 USB ports work. It has a BIOS from 1-16-2013 (D8), 6 months before Z87 was released.

It doesn't recognize any hard drives, I got my ssd to be recognized by putting it in the last 2 ports which apparently use a different Marvel controller or something.

So I can't update the BIOS, and can't get my HDDs recognized, plus Idk if the 4 extra USB ports work at all since I can't get past the BIOS.

When booting it takes 20 seconds of staring at the American BIOS screen before it has just a split second to hit the BIOS key before it can't continue. It occasionally just freezes too randomly.

I'm thinking I don't dare remove my OS installation from my SSD and try install it on the UD3H since I may be forced to revert back to my previous MB. Kind of a fiasco.

The MB has a ton of features I really like, case fan speed controls, 6 PCI-E ports (my main reason to purchase it), power buttons on the MB if I go open bench, etc. It sucks if the USB ports and SATA ports have issues for some reason.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm 95% certain something is off and am ready to return it. (freezing randomly, taking a loong time sitting at the empty startup screen). The BIOS is older then the hills, but I don't really want to bother installing windows and just hope the flaws will go away with a new BIOS.

I just found that the BIOS should be flashable from a FAT USB drive. Going to try that now.

So I got the BIOS updated (see below, was a bit of a hassle).

Now I get random BSODs in windows. Everything has simply been switched from an Asus MB to this Gigabyte so all of my other components are fine.

 

[Kougar]

Did you disable fast boot? SATA and USB devices are not initialized in that mode...

 

[Ketchup]

You could tell it to run off the backup BIOS and see if that runs any better. Have you tried a clear CMOS yet?

If you can get the board to POST, why not put the newest BIOS on a flash drive and give it a whirl? Since you are considering just taking it back anyway, I'd say it's worth a try.

 

[wand3r3r]

^ Yeah I tried clearing the CMOS, and enabling the other BIOS switch position.
I had tried fastboot stuff but there was a choice to enable all USB stuff so I had that on. EIther way I cleared the cmos often because it was hard to get in the BIOS without a freeze. I can't believe they would ship with a BIOS from 6 months before releasing the chipset, especially in such bad condition.

Ok, so I got the BIOS to flash via a FAT USB drive. It was pretty ridiculous because the Q Flash utility in the BIOS for flashing the BIOS was only showing the SSD (on the marvel controller) and nothing else (none of the other HDDs nor the Flash drive). I just happened to press the arrow down and there was an "empty row" so I chose it and pressed enter and it was the USB drive. How convenient, you have to find empty options and choose them. 😀 What an Easter egg hunt.

Anyways, a BIOS flash later it was like a new MB, boots in a second (BIOS part) and doesn't sit at the American whatever BIOS logo forever. THe BIOS even looks new, the original was the older style (probably just a skin).

Now I installed windows etc. but in the past hours I've gotten 3 BSODs no 6 BSODS now 7 BSODs!!!! with different messages. I'm not very impressed, they are typically rare. It's hard to pin it down too since they are different. Idk if it's the board or the software now. I'm on 14.1 beta drivers so I should almost revert back, I'll have to see.

BSOD's so far:
1. system_service_exception win32k.sys
2. kmode_exception_not_handled
3. The 3rd I didn't catch
4. pool_corruption_in_file_area (tried installing INTEL Rapid Start driver, was able to after it crashed with a BSOD)
5. cache_manager (Tried installing Marvel SATA driver, was able after it crashed with a BSOD)
6. kernel_security_check_failure (plugged in phone, unsure if it was from that)
7. irql_not_less_or_equal

A ton of BSODs after the initial installation issues. This MB is going back.

 

[Ketchup]

Could be memory compatibility, or just a bad board.

 

[wand3r3r]

Could be memory compatibility, or just a bad board.

I wish I knew which it is. I think I'll take my time deciding on the next board I try. I've had the same memory for a couple builds recently 1366/1155/1150 and it's some quad channel memory.

I reverted to my Asus board and even without reinstalling windows it works fine (so far). I just uninstalled the drivers and reinstalled the Asus boards drivers. 😛

I'll probably upgrade anyway so I'll take the shortcut if I don't even need to reinstall windows. 😀

 

[escrow4]

Bad board. I have a Z87X-UD4H in this office box (yes I'm a balla :awe🙂 and its flawless. POST is a touch long, but the board is stuffed with features and controllers so I'll let that slide.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I have the UD4H as well and haven't had any issues. {fingers crossed} I was thinking of building a wife a new PC for her home/work office using the UD4H board with an i5. Heck, my UD4H runs W7 and Mavericks via SSDs.

 

[stuff_me_good]

Simple question, do you have 4 memory sticks in use? I've read that wide variety of gigabyte boards are having issues when all dimm slots in use.

Z87-D3HP When will Gigabyte fix the 4 DIMM memory issue?

I have gigabyte z87x-d3h board and I think I'm one of them. Random BSODs even though 4x geil 2133mhz memory @ 1333mhz. So far not sure if it's the board or the aging memory(5 years old). I'll post my results when I get new set of 2400mhz memory and test them out.

 

[wand3r3r]

Thanks for the posts guys.

I have 4 sticks, but I did try with only 1 and still got BSODs even on the desktop.

I'm torn whether I dare get another UD3H or if I'll try either the G45 Gaming, or GB Z87 OC which has 4 PCI-E 16/4/4/4 slots which might allow 4 GPUs and maybe a 5th on the 1x slot.