GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

[Severene42]

I just bought this board. Upon boot up it comes on for a few seconds then shuts down. Then it comes back on for a bit and then shuts down. It continues to loop in this fashion. I have no video and there is no speaker to this new case to give me a POST code. I tried another video card to make sure that wasnt it. My first thought is that it is the CPU or memory - more likely the memory. CPU is Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600. I have 2 sticks of 2 gig DDR2-800 corsair memory in it which it should be able to support. Can someone help me figure out what is going on here? Thanks.

[mxcrowe]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

It's nice to hear the POST codes...might want to invest in a little speaker to attach to the header.
You should definitely try to boot with one stick of RAM to see if you can get to BIOS.
You should post your full specs, PSU, etc. so people can help you better.

[Severene42]

[mxcrowe]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

Your first goal is to get to BIOS. Use one stick of memory. It may cycle a few times on boot. Make sure you are hitting the delete key repeated so that when BIOS does start, you can get into the modification screens. If you still have problems, disconnect everything except the PSU, mobo, CPU, and one stick of memory, just to see if it will POST.

[Rezerected]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

If your computer goes into an infinite reboot loop, try turning off the power switch on the back of your PSU. For awhile I was stumped and started wondering if I had a bad PSU, a bad videocard, or a bad mobo and based on other people's similar results I'm pretty sure it is the motherboard acting up.

My problems with this mobo always seems to stem from something having to do with energy savings, either Sleep/Standby/Hibernate mode or the DES Advance program that Gigabyte incorporates.

I know that on my system, when I turned on DES Advance with the previous 8/26/2008 beta bios (F10e I think?) it just completely froze up and consequent reboots took it into the infinite reboot loop.

Somehow turning off the PSU switch in the back lets the system boot back up with its default BIOS settings.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

Yes, please try the above mentioned PSU trick. And then start the system with one stick of ram in slot one and see if you can load the BIOS.

Also be sure to check ALL PSU connections and be sure your GFX card is plugged in as well if it needs to be. Make sure ATX 12 4Pin or8 pin is plugged in tight.

And I would also if you still have issues take it out of the case and try it on a cardboard box incase you have a short somewhere. Do this with only CPU, one stock of ram and GFX card. NO hard drive.

If still no luck, while out of the box remove the CPU and be SURE all pins are straight and touching the Properly. If they are reseat the CPU and try all suggestions again making SURE the Heatsink you are using is FULLY screwed/clamped down

Also, if you can, please test that ram on another system DOA happens with any company and you may have 2 sticks of dead ram. Best to know this now if so to save yourself a larger headache in the end.

Have you tried clearing the CMOS at all?

[mxcrowe]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

And once you do get back in, get rid of DES. It is nothing but a source of problems.

[Severene42]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

OK, I took a stick out and it now boots up. Somebody at work told me that I needed to change the voltage to make channel 2 work correctly. They also mentioned changing the latency/speed of the memory etc to make it more stable. Im not sure Im ready to goof with that unless I have some sort of instructions on how to do that or a better understanding of what those changes do. The first thing I am going to do when I get home is try the other stick of ram by itself instead. I was so excited that it booted up I didnt even think to try the stick I took out by itself.

If the second stick is good what should I change and what do you think I should change it to?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

If both sticks are good you will need to make some changes in the BIOS with one stick in slot one and then shut down and put in the other stick and then start the system again

And yes 2x2GB needs some voltage changes as well as some manual memory timings set.

Please when you get home/time post back your full settings you see in the MIT Section with one stick in and I will get you some suggested settings to get started with.

This is Just a template I use to ask people their settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............:
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................:
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................:


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< Leave
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< Leave
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< Leave


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............:
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............:
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: <<
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............:
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

[Severene42]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

I just cant seem to catch a break here! I had to RMA an ASUS board back to Egg and they were out of stock so I bought this board locally. This is the second install for this CPU and fan. Its overheating at like 68-70C so I got scared and turned it off. I was thinking 40C tops? Anyways I guess you have to renew the thermal grease and cant just re-use whats on it. And of course every place nearbye is out of it or doesnt stock it. Ironically I keep 20 tubes on my desk at work - but Im not taking the train into work for 4 more days. I will get back to you with the CMOS settings as soon as I fix this heat issue...

[Severene42]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

OK here is how my bios is set:
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) Robust
Graphics Booster ...............:Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................:8X
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0 ?
CPU Frequency ...........................:2.66 CIA2.......................................Disable d

Clock Chip Control Standard
Clock Control CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 300 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< Leave 800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< Leave 800mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< Leave 0ps

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD] Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled ?
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: Auto
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800 1000
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
Standard Timing Control CAS Latency
Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3
tWTR..........................................3
tWR............................................6
tRFC...........................................42
tRTP...........................................3
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:0
Channel A Static tRead Value.........................:5
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:0<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:0 Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:0 Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:6 Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:6 Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:5 Auto
ps Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:8 Auto ps
Channel B Static tRead Value.........................: 5
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:0 <<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps ?
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps ?

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Normal
Current CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.3
Auto CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.2 auto<<< Leave CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.55 auto<<< Leave CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: .805 auto<<< Leave CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave ?
MCH/ICH MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........:1.1 auto << MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........;.76 auto <<< Leave MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........:1.55 auto <<< Leave ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave ? ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave ? DRAM DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: Auto DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave ? Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave ? Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave ?

I dont see advanced settings here?
Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Although new from the box I think I may need to upgrade the bios somehow. Not sure how without a floppy drive. Perhaps a flash drive.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

Yeah please always use fresh thermal paste whenever you reseat the heatsink. Less is better, a thin layer and be sure you get the heatsink screwed or clamped down as good as you ca without breaking things

Here is some info on how to flash the BIOS with Qflash >>

Flashing, here is some info on using Qflash. You can use 3 things with Qflash.... USB Stick, Floppy, or FAT32 Partition on your disk >>>

What you should do is manually download the correct BIOS for your board model and board revision from Gigaabyte Site Below. Extract the BIOS file you need, the .F# << # Being BIOS number like .F11. Be sure to choose the correct Rev. It is printed on the board in the bottom corner under the PCI Slots.

Here is your BIOS page >>>
GIGABYTE - Support - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-EP45-DS3L (rev. 1.0)

The BIOS file you download is a EXE which is made just to extract to the Floppy drive or A: drive.

You can get the BIOS .Fxx (xx Being BIOS number and how the actual BIOS file extension will look) File out of this to flash with Qflash or DOS (DOS Flash files are also inside the Exe. by using winrar to extract the files.

Download Winrar Trial here (Scroll down to Winrar 3.71 and download) and then install and right click the BIOS exe file and choose extract here >>>
WinRAR archiver, a powerful tool to process RAR and ZIP files

Then you can either run any CD you have to get DOS loaded and use the files extracted. Or you can put them on a FAT32 USB drive and use Qflash. You may also make a new 1GB FAT32 partition on your disk if you like and keep BIOS files there as well.

To use USB you need Legacy Storage Detect Enabled in the Integrated Peripherals Page of the BIOS. You also need to leave the USB drive plugged in when you reboot to Qflash (Select "END" at bootup, or F8 Within the BIOS to enter Qflash)

Once inside Qflash you will be presented with Disks or Drives depending on what you have available, look thru each until you find your BIOS file and then flash it

Once you have flashed and rebooted back into the BIOS choose Load Optimized defaults and save and apply and reboot Back into the BIOS before you go into windows. You will need to set your hard drive settings again, especially do not try to load Windows if you are using a RAID setup without setting these settings again (Just have to say incase anyone is reading this for any board and is using RAID)

PLEASE DO NOT USE @BIOS!! << ANYONE READING THIS

Advanced Settings as I suggested on a separate BIOS page, not the MIT. Go back to the MAIN BIOS page and you will see the advanced BIOS section.

Below is some suggested starting settings for 2x2 ram and your CPU. Please if you can only get in the BIOS with one stick of ram do so to enter these settings, then shut down and put in the other stick and reboot.

You never said, did you test both stick separately at stock settings with memtest86+? >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

If so and they are both good then go ahead with the settings below for now. These are stock settings for a Q6600 and 2x2GB of 800MHz ram,and are set high/loose so you can for sure boot into windows. Then later I can help you get them better if you like

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) Robust
Graphics Booster ...............:Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................:9x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0 << Leave, this is a .5 Multiplier for 45nm CPU's
CPU Frequency ...........................:2.40
CIA2.......................................Disable d

Clock Chip Control Standard
Clock Control CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 266 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< Leave 800mV
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< Leave 800mV
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave 0ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< Leave 0ps

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled << (SPD For programmed Ram sticks, dont worry leave disabled)

(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [333]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3.00
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3 << Set to 4 For now
tWTR..........................................3 << Set to 6 For now
tWR............................................6 << Set to 6 For now
tRFC...........................................42 << 52-62, Needed for 2x2GB. Set to 62 for now
tRTP...........................................3 << Set to 5 For now
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A Static tRead Value.........................:5 <<< This is likely your main issue. This is way to low. Suggested is 7-12. Set to 10 for now

tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:0<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:0 Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:0 Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:6 Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:6 Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:5 Auto
ps Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:8 Auto ps

Channel B Static tRead Value.........................: 5 <<< This is likely your main issue. This is way to low. Suggested is 7-12. Set to 10 for now

tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:0 <<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps Leave Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps Same as above

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Normal
Current CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.3 Auto
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: 1.2 auto<<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: 1.55 auto<<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: .805 auto<<< Leave
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave

MCH/ICH MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........:1.1 auto << Set to 1.3 for 2x2GB (May need 1.4)

MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........;.76 auto <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........:1.55 auto <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: Set to what your ram has written on the side on the sticker, your ram's specified Voltage Likely 2.1V which is +0.3v. Be sure you look as it may not be 2.1

DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

[Severene42]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

I tried the second stick of mem by itself and it wouldnt even boot. Im assuming its bad and no amount of changes will make it work since the first one works by itself. I ran memtest on the first stick and got a zillion errors. I went back into the bios and changed a few common sense settings and re-ran it and it seems to work fine now with no errors. If I send the 2nd stick back to Egg I will have to send both sticks because they are a pair. I think I might just send back to manufacturer because it has lifetime warranty anyways.

Now I am having problems installing the OS. I tried 2 different CDs of XP and get all sorts of weird install errors. One version gives BOSD when it gets to PCI.SYS file. Another version has problems with the controls.man file being messed up. Im not sure if these CD are damaged or if the new sata-dvd I bought is bogus as well. I am going to try my IDE from my old system and see if that works. I still havent updated the BIOS - I wonder if thats the problem there as well?

BTW: What settings should I use in BIOS for just the 1 stick of mem?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

Sad to hear, yeah it sounds as if you do have one bad stick. And yes, you will have to send both back as a set. Good thing is newegg would likely get you a new set far faster then the manufacturer

Sounds like BOTH of your XP disks are bad. I have had similar errors with plenty of messed up disks. I would suggest you burn one again and this time burn at the ABSOLUTE slowest burn speed setting, and if you have the choice/setting choose DAO (Disk at Once) not TAO (Track at Once)

Alot of people burn at normal speeds, and you just cannot do that with a Operating System disk, it must always be burned at slowest speeds possible or you will always have install errors

For 1 2GB stick this will likely work fine for you, you could use AUTO as well if you like since you wont be using it for long hopefully

CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3
tWTR..........................................4
tWR............................................5
tRFC...........................................42-45
tRTP...........................................4
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A Static tRead Value.........................:7-9

One of these Static Setting will be irrelevant since you only have one stick
Channel B Static tRead Value.........................: 7-9

MCH/ICH MCH Core…………….....1.100V

[Severene42]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3L/S3L no video

I found out that 1 CD was indeed messed up. The other was just too old. I had an original XP disk with no SPs. I had to do a slipstream of SP2 into the XP that I have here to make it boot up because the older XP doesnt know what PCI-E is. It got much further this time before a mem dump BOSD.

I read this after the last dump and tried the settings you gave me but then it wouldnt boot. I reset the CMOS to get back into it. I now have it set at minimal settings and will give it another try before I go to bed.

Thanks for your help thus far. This has really been a pain. Ive never had to jump through so many hoops to get a system up and running before. Ive built dozens of systems over the years - but none in the last 5 years. Things have changed a lot. Im not sure for the better as far as home techs go? Too many options and too much incompatibilty I think.

Well off for ANOTHER try....