Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

[Knightron]

I have just bought a GA EP45 GQ6 motherboard and am experiancing some really ,really big problems with it.!.Let me start by saying I`m not an expert by any standards but have a little knowledge of componants...

I have a :-
Tagan 1100 watt power supply.
Q6600 go stepper @2.4 ghz..
8 gigabytes of DDR2 XMS2-8500C5D DOMINATOR @1066..@4 X 2 GIG Sticks
2 X 500 GIG HDD SAMSUNGS..
3 X 8800GTX`S only one in this board now..
2 X Super writemaster CDDVDROM drives.
soprano thermaltake case, no aftermarket coolers as I don`t overclock.


I fitted this great board yesterday and have had nothing but BSODS and Black screens ever since!
I have only used 1x2GIG ram stick cos I thought I might have to set the ram timings manually 5-5-5-15.ect..ect..tried that failed miserably..lol

I did a fresh install of vista 64 ultimate and tried again...after literally 15 attempts it let me install the OS without Blue screening on me..
Everytime windoze updates download the relevant updates for the OS the system restarts and just goes in to the following cycle....

Black screen...Boot failiure..(no sh*t sherlock..)..boot time scan..I assume by this it means a check disk or something OS wise!.please insert your windoze disc and restart your computer when required click next and click repair..so on..so on. follow instructions to the letter...CDDVD rom drive spins up 5 mins later decides to blues screen again....restarts itself..back to the Boot failiure screen Please insert....ect.ect..I`m at my wits end with it now and I really don`t know what to do or where to turn ..I`m hoping that someone here has the answers cos Its costing me a bloody fortune keep buying new parts..!
PLEASE HELP..!

[MarkJohnson]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

OK, first thing is getting things going with 1 stick only. Probably only 1 video cards as well. Once things are stable then you can add the rest.

Memory though will be a problem as there are two sets. Memory are rated in pairs and with a second pair added you will lose speed and timings and you'll have to modify the motherboards volts for the north bridge and vtt (fsb volts)

once you get stable, you can worry about the other options later. Just try to work on 1 thing at a time to help keep track on what's happening. If you start changing too many things at once then it's harder to tell where the problem is.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

[Knightron]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

OK, first thing is getting things going with 1 stick only. Probably only 1 video cards as well. Once things are stable then you can add the rest.

Memory though will be a problem as there are two sets. Memory are rated in pairs and with a second pair added you will lose speed and timings and you'll have to modify the motherboards volts for the north bridge and vtt (fsb volts)

once you get stable, you can worry about the other options later. Just try to work on 1 thing at a time to help keep track on what's happening. If you start changing too many things at once then it's harder to tell where the problem is.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

Hi Mark Thanks for your time replying mate much apreaciated mate..
I have hi-lighted the parts of your post that I have already taken into consideration and given my self headaches thinking about over the last couple of days..lol

Graphics cards..Memory...Getting stable...
Well as stated above most of the componants in this build are reasonably high end,so All i`m worried about is blowing them up ,frying them or rendering them useless by pratting about with em! If I can make this build half as good as the last one I will be a happy man....I just need help to get this motherboard doing as it is told to do.. or its going to get some P4 up its channels.....

As I say mate thanks for taking the time to reply its much apreaciated..Regards .. Dave...

[MarkJohnson]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

Hi Mark Thanks for your time replying mate much apreaciated mate..
I have hi-lighted the parts of your post that I have already taken into consideration and given my self headaches thinking about over the last couple of days..lol

Graphics cards..

Only the X58 chipsets support SLI modes as nvidia has refused Intel rights to use it in the past. They finally just gave them permission earlier this year.

But, you can use 3 nvidia cards in your susyem if you chose to do so in non-sli mode. A lot of folding teams do this as nvidia cards get higher fold rates than ATI card.

Memory...

First, the wounding is coming from the memory company. They rate their sticks in pairs. A set of two sticks will run faster than an identical set with 4 sticks. If you look, some companies are now selling in sets of 4 now to help end the confusion. There is still the possiblity to run your memory at their rated speed and timings but you'll most likely need to increase the memory voltage and fiddle with the memory timings on the motherboard. It won't just plug and play as the plug and play feature of the memory is for only two sets of sticks. They haven't set a plug and play standard for 4 stick kits yet.

Getting stable...

Well as stated above most of the componants in this build are reasonably high end,so All i`m worried about is blowing them up ,frying them or rendering them useless by pratting about with em! If I can make this build half as good as the last one I will be a happy man....I just need help to get this motherboard doing as it is told to do.. or its going to get some P4 up its channels.....

As I say mate thanks for taking the time to reply its much apreaciated..Regards .. Dave...

There a reason they call these new technologies, "Bleeding edge" for a reason. - lol They are new and untested and usually take a few months to fine tune. Unless you're a guru you may want to stick to tried and true components that are sure to work. Usually all the motherboard site will have a memory compatibility list you can look at before buying their boards.

Keep us updated on your progress.

some suggestions to get you started would be to go to the BIOS and load optimized defaults. I usually reboot here and then go back into the bios.

Then set your ram volts to manufacturer volts.

Set cpu volts (vcore) to 1.225v. This is very important as most of the time this auto settings causes a lot of problems as it seems to adjust things too high/low or out of sync. so manually setting it to 1.225v will be great for at least 400FSB.

set your CPU FSB to 400.

Set your ram to 1:1 speed which should read your ram 800MHz.

leave all other settings on auto/default for the time being and test for stability.

First get CPU-z to provide info on your overclock.
CPUID

Real temp to monitor your CPU temperature.
Real Temp - CPU temperature monitoring

OCCT to stress your CPU. watch the heat when this runs!
Download - OCCT Website english

Mem Test to test your memory. Run this after/before OCCT. Do not run both at same time.
MemTest for Windows Download Page

do not try going past 400 without an aftermarket heatsink for your CPU. The stock one doesn't cool very well.

Let us know your results and any errors. please be descriptive as possible.

Good luck
-=Mark=-

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

Please link to your ram, and fill this out with what you are using now.. And would like to run and I will advise >>>>

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

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: 
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 


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

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


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


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

[b]Standard Timing Control[/b]
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 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

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 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

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
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

[b]DRAM[/b]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Knightron]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

Please link to your ram, and fill this out with what you are using now.. And would like to run and I will advise >>>>

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

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9x266
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.4GHZ(266X9)
 
 
[B][U]Clock Chip Control [/U][/B]
[B][U]Standard Clock Control[/U][/B]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 266Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100[/B]
 
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]
 
 
[B][U]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/U][/B]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800NV<<< 
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900NV<<< 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 0 ps 
 
 
[B][U]DRAM Performance Control[/U][/B]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.00a
Memory Frequency (Mhz) .1066.............:533 
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
 
[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................4
tRCD .........................................4
tRP'...........................................4
tRAS..........................................12
 
[B][U]Advanced Timing Control[/U][/B]
tRRD...........................................4
tWTR..........................................4
tWR............................................8
tRFC...........................................68
tRTP...........................................4
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:0
 
[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................could not find this in my bios..!
 
[B]Channel A[/B]
Static tRead Value........set to 10...:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 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
 
[B]Channel B[/B]
Static tRead Value.......set to 10...:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH
 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
 
[B][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/B]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:1.28750 v auto
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much
 
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 
 
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly 
 
[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << auto
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave
 
[B]DRAM[/B]
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: auto
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
 
[B][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/B]
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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC
 
[B][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/B]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

Thanks mate hope you can help with this...

Here is a link code to a screen shot of cpuid and memset I got earlier....

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk13/knightron_2008/screenshot.jpg

And here is a link to my ram I have 2 matched sets of this =8 gigabytes..
Linky..clicky

Thanks again for your time mate very much needed and apreaciated..

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

Sounds first like you need to update your BIOS or Load optimized defaults if you have not already since your last flash if you updated, or if you have never loaded it. You will need to load optimized and set your ram voltage ONLY and save/apply/reboot BACK to the BIOS. You MUST reboot back to the BIOS to set your SATA/Disk settings again if you forget and have RAID your array will be corrupted. And of course then you can set all your other settings again as well.

I say all that because you say no "Driving Strength Profiles in your BIOS" and it is there as you can see here (F12 BIOS, Likely F11 as well, but I did not check. I can if you like) >>>



Your BIOS download page is here >>>
GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-EP45-DQ6 (rev. 1.0)

And PLEASE Do read this fully before you flash or if you have already read anyway for next time and for relevant Load Optimized information >>>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

You never said what speed you want to run, so I will go with what you posted above and just add in optimal ranges and fix your ram speed for you

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: auto or Fast
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9x266
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.4GHZ(266X9)


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

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


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800NV<<<
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900NV<<<
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0 ps
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 150-250 ps


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 4.00A
Memory Frequency (Mhz) .1066.............:1066
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................5
tRCD .........................................5
tRP'...........................................5
tRAS..........................................15/18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................3-4
tWTR..........................................4-6
tWR............................................6-10
tRFC...........................................58-75
tRTP...........................................4-7
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................could not find this in my bios..! See above note, 800/1066/1200

Channel A
Static tRead Value........set to 10...:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH (You can use 7-9 for sure)

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.......set to 10...:6/7-10 333/B MCH - 8/9-12 400/D MCH (You can use 7-9 for sure)

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….……….........................:1.28750 v auto
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: << Please set to stock, Auto overvolts this way to much

CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly

CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above) Auto Will set this correctly

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 1.24-1.35 (1.26-1.34 likely good for 8GB)
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< 1.55-1.6
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< 1.1x-1.2

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1 (Set 2.1 first and then try lower later)
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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Knightron]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

Well chief it looks like you have solved a problem that on my own would have been insurmountable..Please accept my heart felt thanks and apreaciation for the clear and concise advice you have offered...Thank you very much for your help with this..you sir are an officer and a gentle man!

All the best ... Regards,. Dave..aka... Knightron!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

So? All is working good for you now then? If so, great!

Just kinda wondered as I am not sure if you was being funny/upset by that comment or if you really meant it and were all good.

Just unsure since you did not say if you were up and running smoothly or not now

Hey, you found driving strengths settings too right? Just wondered because if you did not I could tell you the hotkey you could try as well if you are still not seeing it

[Knightron]

Re: Hi everyone My first post so please be gentle!

So? All is working good for you now then? If so, great!

Just kinda wondered as I am not sure if you was being funny/upset by that comment or if you really meant it and were all good.

Just unsure since you did not say if you were up and running smoothly or not now

Hey, you found driving strengths settings too right? Just wondered because if you did not I could tell you the hotkey you could try as well if you are still not seeing it

No mate everthing is now hunky dory...Not being funny or upset mate I `m glad that your advice was put in that way I could not get it wrong..lol..


I did have an issue with one of my 500 gig hard drives..then both of em went bye bye..so had to buy new master drive seagate barracuda...well it was as good an excuse as any..
I`m sorry I have`nt posted since my last one it`s because I have had to reformat for the above reasons..great advice mate and thankyou all again for your time and effort it is very much apreaciated..

Tweak town forums you rock!..


ps have now got 8 gig of corsair dominator working @1066 mhz....I`m a very happy chappie...:P