GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

[ejvogie]

I just bought this board for a new build. All the components I'm using are brand new except for the case and 1 optical drive. Booting with just the PSU (OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W), Memory (8GB Mushkin Blackline PC1600), and CPU (i5-3350P) I get 4 distinct reboot cycles. 1 is a 15 code with constant short beeps for about 15 to 20 seconds. There are a couple others where the codes scroll so fast I can't read them, only lasts a few seconds. The 4th gets all the way to 96 (Assign PCI device resources), 99 (Super IO initialization), maybe even 9A (USB initialization is started), and then I get a "db" error (Flash update is failed). I've tried with 1 and 2 memory sticks installed with the same results.

Things I've yet to try (because I just thought of them, and I'm at work ) are using a different USB 2.0 port for the keyboard and setting my MB on a box.

Any other hints/tricks/glaring omissions anyone sees? Any incompatibilities?

[ejvogie]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

Tried booting without keyboard, no change. Set MB on the side from an old acrylic case, no change. I plugged in a keyboard and tried mashing Delete, Escape, and F10 (not simultaneously) during boot, no change. First boot I get the 15 code (Pre-memory North Bridge initialization is started) for about 17 seconds. 2nd boot I get 15, 4F (Reserved), 2 or 3 quick ones, might b a 61 (NVRAM initialization) in there, then 72 (PCH Devices initialization) and 9A (USB initialization), as soon as it shows 9A it shuts down. 3rd boot it gets this far, then after 9A it goes to 99 (Super IO initialization), 64 (CPU DXE initialization is started), A9 (BIOS Setup is started), A6 (Detect and install all currently connected SCSI devices), hangs there a few seconds and shows a db (Flash update is failed) error. PSU and CPU fans both spin during the entire sequence, only stopping in between reboots.

1st boot it tries running off main BIOS, tries to switch to backup and immediately reboots. 2nd boot it tries to boot from backup the whole time. 3rd boot it starts on backup, when it gets to SCSI detection it switches back to main BIOS, then back to the backup which is when I get the flash update error and it reboots.

My gut tells me to RMA this board, but I have a nagging feeling there might be an incompatibility somewhere. Anyone?

[CDS Foley]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

Might try and reset your CMOS... Have your tried to flash your bios in the past? If so might be a bad flash hence the Flash update is failed thingie...

[stasio]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

Try with another PSU and set Vtt to 1.10V.

[ejvogie]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

Might try and reset your CMOS... Have your tried to flash your bios in the past? If so might be a bad flash hence the Flash update is failed thingie...

Have not tried flashing BIOS, this has happened since I first got the board, have never even been able to enter setup.

Try with another PSU and set Vtt to 1.10V.

I could try that, maybe. But only if it will post without the 8-pin connector. Otherwise I'd have to buy another brand new PSU just to test this.

[profJim]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

What brand/model name is your cpu cooler? Is it securely mounted?
Did you try removing all hardware from your motherboard that is not needed for booting into the bios?
Remove your video card and try booting while using the cpu's integrated graphics.

You need to connect a 4-pin ATX_12V or 8-pin EPS12V connector from your power supply to your motherboard for your system to post and boot.
Can you borrow a power supply from a friend to test with?
It's possible that a faulty power supply or a poor psu cable connection is causing the problem.

[boondocks]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

Continuous short beeps usually indicate a power error. Could be the psu, wiring, or could even be the cpu not making contact with all pins/bent cpu socket pins.
If all else fails I would pull the cpu and inspect the socket very closely for bent pins. If there are none, reinstall the cpu and follow profJim's advice on carefully remounting your cooler evenly.

[ejvogie]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

What brand/model name is your cpu cooler? Is it securely mounted?

Stock cooler that cane with the CPU. I checked and it seemed to be mounted securely.

Did you try removing all hardware from your motherboard that is not needed for booting into the bios?
Remove your video card and try booting while using the cpu's integrated graphics.

I am running only PSU, CPU, fan, board and 1 stick of memory.

You need to connect a 4-pin ATX_12V or 8-pin EPS12V connector from your power supply to your motherboard for your system to post and boot.
Can you borrow a power supply from a friend to test with?
It's possible that a faulty power supply or a poor psu cable connection is causing the problem.

I may wind up buying a new PSU, I'm not thrilled with the way the 20+4 connector on the OCZ fits into the board.

Continuous short beeps usually indicate a power error. Could be the psu, wiring, or could even be the cpu not making contact with all pins/bent cpu socket pins.
If all else fails I would pull the cpu and inspect the socket very closely for bent pins. If there are none, reinstall the cpu and follow profJim's advice on carefully remounting your cooler evenly.

I'll try reseating the CPU and cooler tonight.

[profJim]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

20 + 4-pin connectors shouldn't be a problem, but any psu connector can have one or more wires that aren't securely connected and this can cause problems. I recommend buying an Antec, Corsair, Seasonic or XFX power supply. There are a few Rosewill models (e.g. Capstone) that are also well made. Check out my recent psu suggestions in http://forums.tweaktown.com/asrock/5...tml#post449400, post #6. I would feel comfortable buying any psu that is recommended by the best review sites that I list in the post. OCZ power supplies and many other name brand power supplies can be hit or miss.

Last Saturday, Newegg had a one day special on a Seasonic 660 watt 80 plus platinum rated psu for $90 after rebate and promo code discount. There are some excellent buys if you don't need to rush out and buy one right away. You can probably find a decent 550 - 650 watt psu for about $60 to $80.

[ejvogie]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

Pulled CPU, the pins (dang those things are tiny) all looked OK. I checked them by looking at the way the light reflected off of them, they all seemed to be reflecting in the same direction. Reseated both CPU and cooler and got the same results.

I'll try another PSU as soon as I get my hands on one.

[boondocks]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

OK. At least that is out of the way. You'd be surprised how easy they are to bend out of position.
Usually you can tell by noticing a brighter shade of copper in the area where the bent pin(s) are, but sometimes it takes a magnifying glass. Another thing I've done is take a hi res pic and then open it up in Windows and zoom it.
I recently managed to somehow bend two pins and had the constant short beeps, but like I said it could be a power problem as well which could be any number of things, really.

Just FYI, here's an old list of Gigabyte beep codes:
1 short: System boots successfully
2 short: CMOS setting error
1 long, 1 short: Memory or motherboard error
1 long, 2 short: Monitor or graphics card error
1 long, 3 short: Keyboard error
1 long, 9 short: BIOS ROM error
Continuous long beeps: Graphics card not inserted properly
Continuous short beeps: Power error

As with everything, the beep codes are only a starting point and may not accurately describe the problem, but at least they are a starting point.

[profJim]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

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review links:
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JonnyGURU - Rosewill Capstone 750W same model but not modular

[ejvogie]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

We'll see if that works. I wanted to buy one locally, but that price was just TOO good.





[Drift] Is the random question always the same? [/Drift]

[profJim]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

Yes, it's a great price.
The ODM/OEM is Superflower and they make very high quality power supplies for others including NZXT, Akasa and Kingwin.
I think that you need to be a Newegg email subscriber to use the promo code, but you can enroll just before you place the order.
Rosewill has some other models based on Superflower psu platforms.
Enjoy!!

[CDS Foley]

Re: GA-Z77X-UD5H v 1.1 boot loop

Continuous short beeps usually indicate a power error. Could be the psu, wiring, or could even be the cpu not making contact with all pins/bent cpu socket pins.
If all else fails I would pull the cpu and inspect the socket very closely for bent pins. If there are none, reinstall the cpu and follow profJim's advice on carefully remounting your cooler evenly.

I disagree with boon... to me it is usually memory with continuous short beeps..But thts just me. I hope this solves your problem but don't be disappointed if it doesn't