eVga X58 SLI LE Windows 7 boot problems, desperate for help!

Been having problems with this board and I need some help as to why it is doing it.

Problem: Anytime my friend's GTS 250 is in the top PCIe slot, Windows 7 will freeze at boot.

I had no problem installing Vista on the system with the GPU in the top slot. Once I install W7, it will go through the install and reboot just like normal. After the reboot, it will eventually pop up a black screen with a blinking cursor before it gets done at the initial screen of "finishing the install" or what ever is listed last in the initial list. After about 20 mins, is will bsod but reboots too fast to see the error code.

When the GPU is in the second PCIe slot, I have no problems installing W7. Everything goes smoothly without a problem. I've installed W7 with AMD cards in the top slot and no problems. With the GPU in the second slot, I've installed W7 up to SP1 and installed the nVidia drivers. Once I move the card back to the top, I will get one boot to the desktop. W7 sees the card and installs the drivers (I've tried with the default W7 drivers and the latest nVidia drivers). It asks for a reboot and once I do, it doesn't matter what F8 mode I select (have not tried safe mode), it will freeze at the W7 logo after the circles come together.

All the components are good, I've verified that much. I just do not know what to do next to get 7 to work with the GPU in the top slot.

Help please!

 

Hi

Could you let the TPU community know Brand Name and Model of the GTS 250

Edit: at first glance it looks like the GTS 250's I/O Bracket may be being obstructed by the system case

or you could try -

Power down the PC and switch off the PSU / unplug at the wall

Remove vga card

Clean contacts on the vga PCIe blades

Use an air duster to clean the PCIe x16 slot on the motherboard, check for obstructions and that the pins in the slot are not damaged

Reseat the vga card

Edit: try install with one stick of RAM in the primary DIMM_1 slot [Grey slot furthest away from the ATX power socket]

atb (all the best)

Law-II

 

Thanks for the response.

His setup:

eVga X58 SLI LE
i7 920
3x4GB Mushkin @ 1600Mhz
eVga GTS 250 1GB
CM 590
Antec Neopower 650w

Nothing is overclocked.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with bad contact in the physical slot or obstruction as I can install Vista without a problem. The problem only comes up with I try to install W7.