Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

[mcsemel]

Here's my configuration:

Intel E8600 3.33Ghz (NOT overlocked)
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
Kingston 2x2GB DDR2-6400 RAM (800 Mhz)
Sapphire ATI HD4850 1GB DDR3
2 Western Digital 500 GB SATA HDDs (RAID 1)
ZeroTherm BTF80 CPU Cooler
Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste (installed according to Arctic Silver's directions for a Core 2 Duo chip)
Rosewill 750W Xtreme PS
Samsung 226CW LCD via DVI
PowMax ATX Case
Windows XP Professional SP3

I installed all of the PC components into my ATX case and set up the RAID 1 configuration with no problem. Managed to get Windows XP installed and got all of the drivers installed for both the MB and video card with no problems. Content, I called it a night.

The next morning, I booted the system with no apparent issues. Then I connected an external USB wireless-G adapter and installed the drivers for it and rebooted. After reboot, while attempting to set the static IP for the device in Windows, the system shut off unexpectedly. Not a graceful shutdown, a 'pulled the power cord' kind of shutdown. I restarted the PC and the system shut off again as it got to the Windows logo screen. I disconnected the USB adapter and managed to get into Windows. Once I reconnected the USB device and tried to set the IP address (again) it shut down (again).

Assuming that perhaps there was a problem with the heatsink/proc/thermal paste, I took the heatsink off, cleaned the proc and heatsink of paste and reinstalled it (very thin 'string' of paste running along the heatshield according to Arctic Silver instructions). Restarted the system...same issue. I checked for any possible spots where the case could be shorting the MB and didn't see anything. All standoffs are installed properly.

Moved the computer to a different outlet and managed to get into Windows. Applied service pack 3 (was at 2) and all hot fixes. Started to install Firefox and the system shut off again. Went into Windows Safe Mode with no problems. Rebooted into Windows after that ok. (For a few minutes at least. Long enough to install ET6 and get a temperature reading.)

The processor is reading at about 35 degrees C at idle, up to 48 under load. I went out and got two additional system fans in case it was still overheating. That didn't help. The system still continues to shut off. It WILL boot into Windows Safe Mode pretty reliably without powering off.

Ran memtest on the memory...passed with flying colors. Pulled out one stick...still shuts down. Seated the video card into the other PCI-E slot...ditto. Got rid of the RAID settings...same problem. Rechecked the cpu/heatsink and reinstalled paste AGAIN...still shuts off randomly. Disconnected HDDs...no improvement. Left case cover off...still shuts off randomly.

Finally, I decided to bypass Windows altogether and booted off an Ubuntu Linux Live CD with the HDDs disconnected. Now the system shuts off immediately as soon as Ubuntu says it's loading the file system from the CD. Every time. At least THAT is being predictable.

As a last resort, I set the BIOS to 'fail-safe settings'...same problem. 'Optimal settings' still causes a shut down. I have not reset the CMOS but truly am not confident that would help anyway.

HELP!!! I'm at a loss to say what's causing the problem. It's acting like it's a overheating issue but I've checked and rechecked the CPU/heatsink/paste 3 times with no improvement. I don't understand why it will boot comfortably into Windows Safe Mode (no drivers loaded, no major load on the CPU?) and nothing else.

Is it the CPU or the motherboard? I bought all the components (except the memory) from newegg.com. Advice would be helpful.

Thanks.

...Mel

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

Load optimized again and lease this time go into Integrated Peripherals page and disable Legacy USB Storage Detect and see if that helps. This stops USB Devices from being scanned at bootup, and can also help with many issues in general.

Aside from that you do have USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 Enabled in the BIOS correct?

If this does not help it sounds like that device may just not be compatible

[mcsemel]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

The USB issue is really secondary to the problem. That wireless adapter was the first thing I plugged in right before all these shutdown issues started and could possibly be a red herring to the story. I'm continuing to have shutdown problems even when nothing is plugged into the USB ports.

[mcsemel]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

I loaded Optimized Settings and rebooted. After it shut off and restarted 3 times, it finally got hung on Verifying the DMI Data Pool. Restarting it caused it to shut off on its own at the DMI Data Pool part and now that's as far as it will get. I can get into the BIOS. Here are the settings it is now reporting:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ...........................:10x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.0
CPU Frequency .............................:3.33Ghz (333x10)

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100 [Auto]

C.I.A.2 ...........................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mv
PCI Express Clock Drive................: 900 mv
CPU Clock Skew ..........................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew .........................: 0 ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Turbo]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............:[Auto]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ...............:800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Auto]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................: 6 [Auto]
tRCD ......................................... 6 [Auto]
tRP'........................................... 6 [Auto]
tRAS.......................................... 18 [Auto]

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3 [Auto]
tWTR.......................................... 3 [Auto]
tWR............................................ 6 [Auto]
tRFC........................................... 52 [Auto]
tRTP........................................... 3 [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:0 [Auto]

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ [Auto]

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: 8 [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:1 [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6 [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6 [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5 [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8 [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
DDR write training..............................[Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................: 8 [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:1 [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6 [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6 [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5 [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8 [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
DDR write training..............................[Auto]

Motherboard Voltage Control
Load Line Calibration........................[Disabled]
Voltage Type.………... [Auto]

CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.18750V [Auto]
CPU Termination…..... ......................:1.200V [Auto]
CPU PLL………………….....................:1.500V [Auto]
CPU Reference.…………........................:0.760V [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V
MCH Reference….…….0.760V
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V
ICH Core…………...……1.100V

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

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

Integrated Peripherals
SATA RAID...................................:[Disabled]
SATA Port 0-3 Native Mode.............:[Disabled]
USB Controller...............................:[Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller.......................:[Enabled]
USB Keybord Support..................:[Enabled]
USB Mouse Support.......................:[Disabled]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............:[Enabled]
Code............................................:[Auto]
Onboard SATA/IDE........................:[Enabled]
Onboard SATA/IDE Control Mode.....:IDE

PC Health Status
System Temperature.......................... 40 deg C
CPU Temperature.............................. 38 deg C


The system has 2x2GB of Kingston kvr800d2/2gr (PC6400 800 Mhz) Ram in memory slots 2 and 4.

Any settings look wildly out of place for you? The more we work on this, the shorter the time the system will stay on without powering itself off.

[Idle]

[mcsemel]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

Yes, I've run Memtest 86+ and it passed with flying colors. It's Kingston ValueRam. Cheapy stuff I picked up at Best Buy after I got the wrong RAM at Newegg. It's kvr800d2/2gr (PC6400 800 Mhz). The only thing I could find on the net about this memory is that it has a latency of 6 and runs at 1.8V.

[Idle]

[godto]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

did you check the voltage ??? could it be your PSU ???

[mcsemel]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

It's a brand new PSU. While bad new PSUs are not unheard of, I don't believe that's it, especially given how the system boots into the BIOS just fine. I've read other places that unexpected shutoffs are common if you don't have your BIOS settings correct. I posted my settings earlier and am hoping that someone will see a setting that jumps out at them as blatantly incorrect. I'm going to try to increase the memory voltage to 2.0V as suggested earlier. If that doesn't work and no one sees any obvious problems with the settings that the motherboard automatically set, then I'm going to RMA the board and go with another board altogether. I (sadly) haven't had much luck with Gigabyte boards over the years but took one last shot at their products. I'm really hoping that with this one it's just a setting somewhere and not a bad board.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

Well for one it is good you could not start windows, Since you have RAID Disabled you would have corrupted your array

Here would be 2x2 settings that should for sure boot thru to windows, be sure to correct your SATA Settings for RAID First. If you have issues with these settings, remove all but once stick of ram and try again with Auto timings, performance enhance standard and manually set ram voltage

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Fast]
CPU Clock Ratio ...........................:10x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.0
CPU Frequency .............................:3.33Ghz (333x10)

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100

C.I.A.2 ...........................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mv
PCI Express Clock Drive................: 900 mv
CPU Clock Skew ..........................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew .........................: 50-150 ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............:[2.40B]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ...............:800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................: 6 [Auto]
tRCD ......................................... 6 [Auto]
tRP'........................................... 6 [Auto]
tRAS.......................................... 18 [Auto]

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3 [Auto]
tWTR.......................................... 3 [Auto]
tWR............................................ 6 [Auto]
tRFC........................................... Set 68 for now
tRTP........................................... 3 [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:0 [Auto]

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ set 1066 for now (800-1066)

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: Set 10 for now
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:1 [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6 [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6 [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5 [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8 [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
DDR write training..............................[Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:Set 10 for now
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:1 [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6 [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6 [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5 [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8 [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
DDR write training..............................[Auto]

Motherboard Voltage Control
Load Line Calibration........................[Disabled]
Voltage Type.………... [Auto]

CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.18750V [Auto]
CPU Termination…..... ......................:1.200V [Auto]
CPU PLL………………….....................:1.500V << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Reference.…………........................:0.760V [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core……………....1.2-1.3 (1.24-1.28 likely good enough) Also try Less then stock if you get no where. 2x2GB meeds more voltage here for sure

MCH Reference….…….Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V << Set 1.55-1.6
ICH Core…………...……1.100V << Set 1.14-1.2

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V << as said above I would try 2.0 for now, check to be sure you may need 2.1V. If it is 1.8 rated ram 1.9-2.0 would be fine

*EDIT* found your ram, so above set 1.9-2.0 and see if that helps any >>>
Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

DRAM Termination .…0.900V
Channel A Reference 0.900V
Channel B Reference 0.900V

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

[mcsemel]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

Thanks, LSD. I'll try these settings. Don't worry about the RAID...it was a fresh install of Windows. Yes, I lost the data on the drives when I turned off the RAID settings but all I'm out is the amount of time it takes to sit through another install. No big deal. I'm just trying to get the system stable enough to boot and *stay on*. I'll let you know if these settings work.

[mcsemel]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

Set all the settings you recommended and now the system is getting past the Verifying DMI Pool Data sequence. However, upon attempting to boot from the Ubuntu Live CD, the system still shuts off in the same place (loading file system). I'm not ruling out an incompatibility with the RAID but wouldn't it just give me an error rather than shutting the whole system down?

I'm going to try the single memory stick, auto timing, and 2.0 memory voltage setup next. (I'm at work; my husband's at home with the PC and setting the BIOS settings I tell him over the phone. I'll wait until tonight to do further testing.) If that doesn't work I'm grasping at straws what to do next.

[mcsemel]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

Would it be worth it to get better memory (DDR2-1066, perhaps) or go with 4x1GB rather than trying to fight with the Kingston ValueRAM I've got now? I've read elsewhere that this board doesn't like 2x2GB RAM much and maybe if I invest some in some better RAM I'll have better luck keeping the system from shutting down?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

Well you may just have not got things all right, I need to see the exact settings you are trying before I could be sure.

Better memory may be good, but not 4x1, that is harder to get setup then 2x2

Will it install with only one stick installed with all auto settings, except ram voltage set and performance enhance set to auto?

[mcsemel]

Re: Problems with GA-EP45-UD3P powering off unexpectedly

Haven't had a chance to try just one stick with all auto settings and RAM at 2.0. I'm at work; PC is at home.

Here's the settings we set the BIOS to, per your suggestions:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Fast]
CPU Clock Ratio ...........................:10x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:+0.0
CPU Frequency .............................:3.33Ghz (333x10)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:100

C.I.A.2 ...........................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800 mv
PCI Express Clock Drive................: 900 mv
CPU Clock Skew ..........................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew .........................: 100 ps

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............:[2.40B]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ...............:800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................: 6 [Auto]
tRCD ......................................... 6 [Auto]
tRP'........................................... 6 [Auto]
tRAS.......................................... 18 [Auto]

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3 [Auto]
tWTR.......................................... 3 [Auto]
tWR............................................ 6 [Auto]
tRFC........................................... 68
tRTP........................................... 3 [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:0 [Auto]

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ 1066

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: 10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:1 [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6 [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6 [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5 [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8 [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
DDR write training..............................[Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................: 10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:1 [Auto]
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:0 [Auto]
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:0 [Auto]
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:6 [Auto]
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:6 [Auto]
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:5 [Auto]
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:8 [Auto]
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:[Auto]
DDR write training..............................[Auto]

Motherboard Voltage Control
Load Line Calibration........................[Disabled]
Voltage Type.………... [Auto]

CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.18750V [Auto]
CPU Termination…..... ......................:1.200V [Auto]
CPU PLL………………….....................:1.500V
CPU Reference.…………........................:0.760V [Auto]

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.260V
MCH Reference….…….0.760V [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V [Auto]
ICH I/O……………….....1.570V (you suggested 1.580 but only had the options 1.570 or 1.590)
ICH Core…………...……1.200V (you suggested 1.160V, only had the options of 1.100V or 1.200V)

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....2.000V
DRAM Termination .…0.900V
Channel A Reference 0.900V
Channel B Reference 0.900V

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

Integrated Peripherals
SATA RAID...................................:[Enabled]
SATA Port 0-3 Native Mode.............:[Enabled]
USB Controller...............................:[Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller.......................:[Enabled]
USB Keybord Support..................:[Enabled]
USB Mouse Support.......................:[Enabled] (we have a USB mouse)
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............:[Enabled]
Code............................................:[Auto]
Onboard SATA/IDE........................:[RAID]
Onboard SATA/IDE Control Mode.....:RAID