Gigabyte z87x UD3H woes

[Xcobra]

Hi guys,

Was gonna post this in the mobo section but I don't think it gets many hits (mods - feel free to move the thread if needed).

I just finished putting together the following components on my new rig:

- GA-z87x UD3H Mobo (ver 1.1)
- Intel i5 4670K CPU
- G. Skill Ripjaws series 4GBx2
- Iceq HD7950 Turbo

(Can post other details if needed)

The problem I have encountered is that the PC just won't post. When the bios is on dual mode, it restarts and powers on for 3 seconds (and continues the loop). Switching to single bios starts but I get no video and does not post (this happens whether the bios is on main or backup). I can leave it on for hours and the fans, etc. are all spinning but video or BSODs appear. The mobo doesn't even report any diagnostic codes either.

Has anyone encountered or read on this issue? I have tried booting it with different RAM sticks (one and both), no CPU, no video card (and use on-board). The issue is still present when I have done those configs.

I checked for bent cpu pins and there were a couple but I don't think this is causing the issue.

I wanted to check with you all before trying to RMA (which will be a pain since I am in Australia now) or whether you have better methods to identify the faulty component.

Some pointers would be much appreciated!

Click 1

Click 2

 

[denis280]

I checked for bent cpu pins and there were a couple but I don't think this is causing the issue.

are you sure?and what is the hdd.and psu on that machine

 

[Xcobra]

are you sure?and what is the hdd.and psu on that machine

Well, wouldn't running it without a CPU give me some sort of code? I tried to straighten them out as best I could and it didn't change a thing. I can post a pic of it if you want.

I am only running my extra drives as I ruined my SSD trying to install the video card (I am only running my WD Caviar Black 1TB drive atm). PSU is a Corsair HX620W modular.

What bugs me is that it won't even post. It keeps running and nothing pops on the screen.

 

[denis280]

I can post a pic of it if you want.

would be great

 

[Xcobra]

would be great

added to original post. sorry for crap quality.

 

[vailr]

A few things to double-check:
1. Try running the system outside of the case, with motherboard set on top of the antistatic bag. This checks for possible accidental grounding between board and metal chassis.
2. Verify that any required auxiliary 4-pin, 6-pin or 8-pin power connectors for either the motherboard or video card are attached where necessary.
3. Sometimes certain PSU's are simply incompatible. Try another brand of PSU if available.
4. Bent CPU pins: use an empty mechanical pencil as a straightening tool.
Good luck.

 

[denis280]

A few things to double-check:
1. Try running the system outside of the case, with motherboard set on top of the antistatic bag. This checks for possible accidental grounding between board and metal chassis.
2. Verify that any required auxiliary 4-pin, 6-pin or 8-pin power connectors for either the motherboard or video card are attached where necessary.
3. Sometimes certain PSU's are simply incompatible. Try another brand of PSU if available.
4. Bent CPU pins: use an empty mechanical pencil as a straightening tool.
Good luck.

The pins looks ok.just wanted to make sure.and as mention by vailr before rma you should do those check up first.except no.4

 

[Xcobra]

A few things to double-check:
1. Try running the system outside of the case, with motherboard set on top of the antistatic bag. This checks for possible accidental grounding between board and metal chassis.
2. Verify that any required auxiliary 4-pin, 6-pin or 8-pin power connectors for either the motherboard or video card are attached where necessary.
3. Sometimes certain PSU's are simply incompatible. Try another brand of PSU if available.
4. Bent CPU pins: use an empty mechanical pencil as a straightening tool.
Good luck.

Thanks for this. I will try setting it up on the anti-static bag and check connections. If that doesn't do it, I will just RMA it.

 

[Skott]

That's a good quality psu. I've used a few of them myself. I doubt it would be a incompatibility problem. Like Vailr is suggesting. You will need to pull it a part and start again one component at a time to see where the problem lies. At this point it could be anything.

 

[mfenn]

Well, wouldn't running it without a CPU give me some sort of code? I tried to straighten them out as best I could and it didn't change a thing. I can post a pic of it if you want.

No, a mobo without a CPU won't do anything. It needs the CPU to run the BIOS routines that light up the debug LED.

I put a red box around the pin that I think is giving you trouble.

 

[Xcobra]

As an update, I took it out of the case and ran it with one memory stick and tried each slot. It appears that only slot 2 works and the rest do not. However, if I use slots 1 and 2, it will still not POST. So it forces me to use only one slot with one memory stick.

If I do that, everything works and was even able to install windows, etc. This convinces me that I should RMA it. Only problem is whether NCIX will honor it given that I am overseas now :hmm:

Thanks all for your responses!

 

[vailr]

@Xcobra: try flashing the motherboard bios to the latest beta version F8h.
http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/28441-gigabyte-latest-beta-bios.html
May enable better memory compatibility, so that an RMA could be avoided.
Note: when using 2 memory sticks, use alternate slots.
Such as: 1 + 3, or 2 + 4, but not adjacent slots.

 

[mfenn]

As an update, I took it out of the case and ran it with one memory stick and tried each slot. It appears that only slot 2 works and the rest do not. However, if I use slots 1 and 2, it will still not POST. So it forces me to use only one slot with one memory stick.

If I do that, everything works and was even able to install windows, etc. This convinces me that I should RMA it. Only problem is whether NCIX will honor it given that I am overseas now :hmm:

Thanks all for your responses!

The CPU is wired directly to the DIMM slots, so its quite possible that the damaged pins are wired to the channel with DIMM slots 3 and 4. Not being able to populate slots 1 and 2 may be a normal DIMM ordering issue. That wouldn't be a problem if you could use the other slots, but alas.

 

[Xcobra]

@Xcobra: try flashing the motherboard bios to the latest beta version F8h.
http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/28441-gigabyte-latest-beta-bios.html
May enable better memory compatibility, so that an RMA could be avoided.
Note: when using 2 memory sticks, use alternate slots.
Such as: 1 + 3, or 2 + 4, but not adjacent slots.

I flashed the F7 just in case it was something going on with them but I can definitely try those. I submitted the RMA with NCIX but can follow up if the beta BIOS work. It is just odd that only one slot works out of four. Too bad I don't have another set of sticks to try.

 

[Xcobra]

No, a mobo without a CPU won't do anything. It needs the CPU to run the BIOS routines that light up the debug LED.

I put a red box around the pin that I think is giving you trouble.

Sorry, I did not see the picture as it was blocked at work. I have taken a second look at that pin and it does seem to be missing. This is really odd. Could that one pin really be the cause? Regardless, I will still RMA it and see if I get lucky with NCIX.

 

[Skott]

One missing pin certainly could snafu the entire build. I would just RMA and get another just to be safe. These things do happens sometimes unfortunately to the best of the manufacturers. Somebody didn't catch it at the factory.

 

[mfenn]

One missing pin certainly could snafu the entire build. I would just RMA and get another just to be safe. These things do happens sometimes unfortunately to the best of the manufacturers. Somebody didn't catch it at the factory.

Agree. OP, sometimes you can get away with a a missing pin if there are many of the same type like power or ground. There's no redundancy in data pins though.

 

[Xcobra]

RMA it is! It's gonna cost me over half its cost to ship it but what can ya do... thanks all.