GA-EP35C-DS3R can't change any BIOS setting

[zyxxix]

This is a weird problem. The board is newly installed with Intel E6850 and 2 x 1 Gb Crucial RAM, and is running XP Prof good and stable. BUT I can't change any BIOS setting at all, or it just won't boot!
e.g. I turn on CPU temperature monitoring, and after POST I get a blank screen. Reset and maybe I get no video, or the same. I have to Clear the CMOS, then at next boot it says:

CMOS checksum error, defaults loaded.
POST error occurs

Then re-load Last Known Good, and it works again. Any ideas? Current BIOS version is F2. The only BIOS changes I've successfully done are the date/time(!) and "Halt on all but Keyboard", which I changed to "Halt on No Errors"

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP35C-DS3R can't change any BIOS setting

Please update your BIOS, see the pinned guide about BIOS flashing. DO NOT USE @BIOS
GIGABYTE - Support - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-EP35C-DS3R (rev. 2.1)

And be sure you load optimized defaults after the Flash, save and apply and reboot BACK into the BIOS and make any needed disk changes (VERY Important if you are using RAID). Otherwise if you try to load windows you will loose you array

Then please go into MIT section and set DDR2 voltage to 2.1V

Crucial is known very well to not work in P35 boards, but some get them to work just fine. So lets see what we can do.

First of all, All brands can ship out DOA sticks. Have you tested each by itself at stock timings/speeds with latest memtest86+? If not, please do >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

If you do not wish to flash, please at least then load optimized defaults and do the above steps. Then if your ram passes memtest86+

Please post me your MIT settings, and a CPU and Ram speed you would like to run and I will give you some suggested settings >>>>>

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

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [450]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ ?
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ ?
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______?
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ ?
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ ?
Rank Write to READ Delay________ ?
Write to Precharge Delay_________ ?
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ ?
Read to Precharge Delay__________ ?
Static tRead Value_______________ 1-31
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 1-31

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

[zyxxix]

Re: GA-EP35C-DS3R can't change any BIOS setting

I did suspect the memory at the start and tried just one stick at a time with the same results. Ran Memtest86+ latest version twice through with no errors.

Flashed to F3, loaded optimzied defaults and then reboot caused it to continually power down and reboot - so had to reset the CMOS again too. Then it booted OK.

Already it seems a bit more stable - have changed a couple of BIOS items (e.g. enabled SMART, which caused a problem before).
Moving from F2 to F3, I noticed it changed the clock multiplier tofrom x8 to x9.

I set Performance Enhance = Standard too manually.

I have not changed the memory voltage from 1.8V do you still recommend??

I just want this to run stable - no overclocking. My CPU is 3GHz (9 x 333) and memory is DDR800.

MIT settings:

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [100]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [Auto]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Auto]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 6
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 6
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______6
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18
ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 4
Write to Precharge Delay_________6
Refresh to ACT Delay______________52
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 3
Static tRead Value_______________ 8
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 29

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]


Thanks again for your time.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP35C-DS3R can't change any BIOS setting

So, you got F3 in and running then after all that? Sounds better at least for now right?

Ya, it should be 9 multi, I dont see why it was not before unless you changed it trying to get things going. Or never loaded optimized defaults. Or did you used to have a different CPU in the board? Ahh, well it should be 9 anyhow

Ya, I would be selling that crucial if it was me. They USED to be the best, not by a longshot anymore

Ya, you should set the volts to 2.0 or 2.1. You ram spec is likely 2.2 on the sticker correct? That is the max warrantied, not the amount that must be used. But 1.8 is likely to low to remain stable unless you want to keep those loose/slow timings. The stock ones are 444-12 right? That will need you to manually set 2.0-2.1, and even 555-15 timings may also.


So, which do you want to run? You should run them at 444-12, so I will post those timings/ranges for you to work on. If you would like 555-15 timings let me know.

This is stock, no overclocking in mind. Should you ever decide to start, disable EIST and C1E

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [100]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [Auto]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Auto]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 4/5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 4/5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______4/5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 12/15

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3-4
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 4-6
Write to Precharge Delay_________3-6
Refresh to ACT Delay______________38-42 (2x1 ram still right?, I assume so, 52 is way high)

Read to Precharge Delay__________ 3-5
Static tRead Value_______________ 7-8
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ 29 <<< Do not set, so fix this. Always leave on Auto or Zero or 1-31

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal] << Set to 2.0 or 2.1
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal] << Add +0.1 for stability
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]

[zyxxix]

Re: GA-EP35C-DS3R can't change any BIOS setting

Thanks for all the support.
This has been the fastest, most detailed, comprehensive and accurate support I've had from any forum I can remember. Definitely one to use again and one recommend to others!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP35C-DS3R can't change any BIOS setting

Thanks man! I try to help as much as I can, quick as I can when I am around!

I know how much it sucks to wait for a reply you needed a long time ago, not 3 days from when you ask

So it is 2x1GB then right? If so, you should be able to enter the 444-12 above and then slowly work on getting the subtimings lower. Be sure to set the DDR2 voltage first though

Let me know if you need anymore help, I am always around and try to asnwer quick as possible.

Thanks again for your kind words, and good luck with everything if you do not need further help