Problem with bios or windows

[david carey]

I have a ga-x58a ud3r motherboard, memory was stuck on 4gb out of 12gb , so I changed the bios from f4 tof5 then to f6 ( these are all the same size) the f6 bios recognises all installed memory but windows will not start . As these bios are the same size you can migrate up or down . The f7l and the f8a are larger and you cannot ( I cannot ) go back to f6 . Two questions 1/ how do sort out the bios problem and/ or sort out the windows problem . Will these problems remain if I install win 10 ?

 

[Regeneration]

Use Gigabyte @BIOS for Windows to flash the newer 2MB ROMs.

 

[david carey]

Use Gigabyte @BIOS for Windows to flash the newer 2MB ROMs.

Did that , now I'm stuck . I also did a win 7 clean install on a different hdd ,still same problem . The server @bios does not work

 

[Regeneration]

Provide more information and photos. Why Windows won't start? Is it BSOD? Lockup? Did you try to change SATA and ACPI modes?

 

[david carey]

Provide more information and photos. Why Windows won't start? Is it BSOD? Lockup? Did you try to change SATA and ACPI modes?

Blue screen ,black screen, reboots . Nothing works - startup repair , safe modes etc . Replying on an antique iphone so a bit slow . I have a IDE/raid/ahci mode set to ide

Hello I have now reflashed the bios to default , did not work before and windows is up and running . Bios shows less memory , I tried the F6 bios that showed all 12 gb but could not boot into windows . Can anyone explain why Gigabytes own Bios do not seem to work ? Now that I have used the backup bios to start do i have default F4 bios on both bios chips and is the backup bios safe ?

 

[david carey]

Hello I have now reflashed the bios to default , did not work before and windows is up and running . Bios shows less memory , I tried the F6 bios that showed all 12 gb but could not boot into windows . Can anyone explain why Gigabytes own Bios do not seem to work ? Now that I have used the backup bios to start do i have default F4 bios on both bios chips and is the backup bios safe ?

 

[Regeneration]

Some important BIOS changes (ACPI/APIC) may prevent from Windows loading.

Flash the latest BIOS with Gigabyte @BIOS from Windows.

Then use a Linux Live CD or bootable Linpack Xtreme and check if all memory is ACCESSIBLE. If it is, reinstall/repair your Windows installation

If you can't access the memory from Linux, reseat the CPU and memory, and check for bent/damaged pins on the CPU and socket.

 

[david carey]

ACPI is set to S3 - only two settings s1 and S3 . Computer will not restart ( when i am in windows ), so many errors / problems i do not know where to start . Had to go back to the F4 , F5 bios , still will not boot with anything newer .

Flash the latest BIOS with Gigabyte @BIOS from Windows.

Latest bios is the F8b which is not listed on GB page . Any fool proof bios flashing tips ?
I have no experience with Linux but will look into it

 

[david carey]

I have shelved the bios update until i sort out the major starting problems . Reboot not working . Safe modes - not working . Why is this problem persisting over TWO disks , never installed together and one a clean install ? This session started - after some hours - with "last known good configuration " . I am desperate

 

[Regeneration]

Sounds like you changed drives numbering order and the OS don't know what's what.

Fix the MBR – Guide for Windows 10, 11, XP, Vista, 7, 8

This guide shows you how to fix the Master boot record (MBR) in any of the Windows versions: Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows XP, Vista, 7, or Windows 8. What is the MBR The MBR (stands for “M…

neosmart.net

Use the commands there from installation media. If its Windows 10, use bcdboot.

 

[flmatter]

Have you tried booting with one stick of ram?

 

[david carey]

Sounds like you changed drives numbering order and the OS don't know what's what.

Fix the MBR – Guide for Windows 10, 11, XP, Vista, 7, 8

This guide shows you how to fix the Master boot record (MBR) in any of the Windows versions: Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows XP, Vista, 7, or Windows 8. What is the MBR The MBR (stands for “M…

neosmart.net

Use the commands there from installation media. If its Windows 10, use bcdboot.

Have not run the commands on this installation yet but they were clear on the last two .


I clean installed windows 7 (ultimate) on a separate HDD ( yes another one ) no other drives connected , and there are many problems already ! . The memory is up and down 12gb (8gb usable ) , 12gb /4gb , 8gb /4gb . Bsods , hangs at starting windows again , crashdumps . Safe mode hangs at classpnp same as before . BSOD -memory management . Last known good config - not working . This is a clean install , how is this happening . What I cannot figure out is what connects the previous behaviour with the current behaviour .

Have you tried booting with one stick of ram?

I only have 2 gb sticks , computer is working ok at the moment .

 

[Regeneration]

I don't know why I bother replying since you ignore my comments.

Something is wrong with one of the components (CPU / motherboard / memory / PSU) or you just have bad configuration (QPI/VTT or timings) in the BIOS.

Missing or usable memory on X58 can be defective memory/ DDR slot / PCB channel wiring / improper connection between the CPU and motherboard's socket (e.g. scratched or damaged pin).

With AIDA64's ACPI/DMI browser you can see which DDR slot is causing problems.

Before you reinstall OS over and over again, ensure the system is stable first with bootable Linpack Xtreme.

 

[david carey]

I don't know why I bother replying since you ignore my comments.

Something is wrong with one of the components (CPU / motherboard / memory / PSU) or you just have bad configuration (QPI/VTT or timings) in the BIOS.

Missing or usable memory on X58 can be defective memory/ DDR slot / PCB channel wiring / improper connection between the CPU and motherboard's socket (e.g. scratched or damaged pin).

With AIDA64's ACPI/DMI browser you can see which DDR slot is causing problems.

Before you reinstall OS over and over again, ensure the system is stable first with bootable Linpack Xtreme.

All memory settings in BIOS are auto , 3 CPUs ( no signs of damage on close inspection or socket ) PSU is pretty new and a good one .

Aida64s ACPI/DMI browser does not give me any info on DDR slots ( what should I be looking for ? ) . The last time I reinstalled windows was to eliminate any possibility of a continuing windows issue and I did not like the hard disk .
Windows is booting and running well - not 100% , there are occasional glitches . Memory is Stable at 4 x 2GB out of 6 installed , BIOS is still F4 , Cannot get the F6 to boot into windows .
1/ cannot get all memory working 2/ safe mode stops at classpnp 3/ cannot get Newer bios than F4 to boot into windows . Maybe all connected - but all attributable to a dodgy M/b ?

 

[Regeneration]

What is 3 CPUs?



In AIDA64, you can see which slot/memory module is failing.

 

[david carey]

What is 3 CPUs?

View attachment 160050

In AIDA64, you can see which slot/memory module is failing.

I have 3 CPUs to try (all of which are working) , which kind of rules out the CPU being at fault .

According to AIDA64 DMI , nothing wrong with the memory / slots . I was looking at the ACPI browser , which is kind of difficult to decipher .

And BTW thank you for your replies .

 

[95Viper]

There is a version 1 and 2 of that motherboard. Be sure you are using the correct BIOS for the version you have.
And, checked the socket, on the motherboard, for defects.

 

[Regeneration]

Sounds like incompatibility between motherboard and memory. Read the SPD data with AIDA64 and enter timings manually.

Disable "performance enhance", if its Xeon 5600 CPU, set memory multiplier to 10. It's better to use 3 sticks on X58 rather than 4 or 6.

 

[david carey]

There is a version 1 and 2 of that motherboard. Be sure you are using the correct BIOS for the version you have.
And, checked the socket, on the motherboard, for defects.

The board is a rev 1.0 . yes , I got the correct bios F4 F5 F6 etc . Rev 2.0 have different bios , checked CPUs and socket with magnifying glass

Sounds like incompatibility between motherboard and memory. Read the SPD data with AIDA64 and enter timings manually.

Disable "performance enhance", if its Xeon 5600 CPU, set memory multiplier to 10. It's better to use 3 sticks on X58 rather than 4 or 6.

Motherboard used to work with 12gb ( 6 x 2gb ) . Timings ( I dont overclock so am not an expert on timings ) seem to be as required . I have two X5650 and one W3565 , same problem persists with all . System seems to be happy , memory wise at the current memory configuration 4 x 2 Gb triple channel which it was running at for some time before the computer starting having melt-downs . Which started with virus like behaviour like missing programs and REFUSAL to re-install ( two browsers etc ) , programs I had been using for years -even clean install of Windows did not rectify the problem

 

[Regeneration]

Unstable PSU can cause something like this. If its Corsair VS/RM or some generic one, try another PSU.

Make sure the motherboard and CPU cooler screws aren't too tighten.

Test all memory slots and memory modules one by one. If all check out, then its most likley the motherboard.

 

[david carey]

Unstable PSU can cause something like this. If its Corsair VS/RM or some generic one, try another PSU.

Make sure the motherboard and CPU cooler screws aren't too tighten.

Test all memory slots and memory modules one by one. If all check out, then its most likley the motherboard.

The PSU is a Corsair CX650M , cannot find any faults with it .
I checked the cooler screws ( though I do not have a Torque wrench ) .
I cannot find any problems with the memory slots though it is hard checking three because of the memory config .
As you wrote , it is most likely the motherboard .