Problems with GA-EP45-UD3R mobo

[Chc13Perfume]

Hi Tech Support -

I'm building a computer based around a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R mobo. I have an Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 CPU, a Sapphire Radeon 4850 graphics card, 4 GB of OCZ Reaper RAM, a 500 GB Seagate hard drive, and a 750 watt power supply. I have installed Vista Ultimate 64.

My most recent problem seems to be a hardware issue. The PC will boot fine, and run for a while, but after a couple minutes of running programs like Firefox and Zune player, it will freeze off and on, and the screen will go black.
When rebooting, the motherboard does not recognise that I have a hard drive plugged in, and gives me a disc read error. The first time this happened, I thought Windows was corrupted and when I tried to re-install, it said I had no hard drive connected. After I switch the hard drive to a different SATA channel, the PC boots fine.

I have checked the video card driver and ensured I have the 64-bit version. The Gigabyte drivers are compatible from Windows 2000 to Vista 64. All programs that have a 64-bit version have that one installed.
I ran a RAM test and it came up with no errors. I figured if the CPU was bad, the PC wouldn't boot. I reset the BIOS to its fail-safe defaults.
My guess is that there's something obscure wrong with the motherboard somewhere that's causing this problem.

If any of you have seen an issue like this, need more information, or have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

[profJim]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3R mobo

It sounds like you haven't overclocked your system.
Fail-safe defaults should NOT be used. Load Optimized defaults, then set the DRAM voltage to it's rated setting.

Performance Enhance = TURBO is the default setting. Change this to STANDARD and see if it helps.

Post back with your current bios settings, using the bios template available in other threads. Fill in all your current settings, being sure to enter AUTO for each setting that does not have an explicit setting.

Also include a link to your memory's specs.

Have you confirmed that the Windows Registry is error free?
Are there any recent changes or upgrades to your system?

[Chc13Perfume]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3R mobo

Hey, thanks for the reply :)

I'm new on the site; where would I find the BIOS settings template?
So I loaded optimised defaults and changed the DRAM to Standard from Turbo. Unfortunately after I tried booting, it wouldn't find the HDD again... but after switching channels it booted.
Then, it crashed. I didn't even run a program. It just booted, sat there, and I couldn't open anything. I clicked the Start bar and the spinning blue circle dealie just sat there mocking me. I killed the power.

RAM specs:
<table class="specification" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="name">Capacity:</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('4GB (2 x 2GB)'));</script> 4GB (2 x 2GB)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Speed:
</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)'));</script> DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Cas Latency</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('4'));</script>: 4</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Timing:</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('4-4-4-15'));</script> 4-4-4-15</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="name">Voltage:</td> <td class="desc"><script type="text/javascript">document.write(neg_specification_newli ne('2.1V'));</script> 2.1V
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Haven't checked for registry errors, but I've had this problem since I installed and I installed from a CD.

After it died, I manually changed the timing to match the specs, and it kept coming up with a disc read error. It wouldn't boot, so I couldn't see if that worked.
I'm going to try reinstalling the OS. Maybe the HD is bad. Either that or it's the mobo, in my opinion.

Thanks for the advice. Anything more will be greatly appreciated.

[profJim]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3R mobo

Here is LSDMEASAP's generic bios template. You'll need to fill in your settings. If your bios has AUTO for a setting, fill in AUTO, not the values that are displayed in the left hand section of the setting.

Also include a link to the full specs for your memory.

Loading OPTIMIZED defaults is safer than using FAIL SAFE defaults. Many users had more problems when they load FAIL SAFE settings.

With 2x2GB of memory, MCH Core = 1.20 volts (minimum) is usually required. Some memory brands will ONLY work at 1.05 volts.

After changing the bios settings, did you SAVE SETTINGS and EXIT?

[Chc13Perfume]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3R mobo

Thanks, I'll post that when I get the chance.

Sorry, forgot to add the link: OCZ Technology | Products | Memory | OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Reaper HPC Edition

I did load optimised defaults, and when it booted it died without running any programs.

I left the memory voltage at Auto, and changed the timing to the specs on OCZ's site - and yes, I saved to CMOS - but like I said it failed to find the HDD and didn't boot.

I'm just about to buy a new hard drive and try that.