GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

[JohnF]

Hi this is my first build and I am very green at all this - explanations and suggestions in the simplest language possible are appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help.

On a cold start, my computer gets stuck at the BIOS splash screen - I cannot get anywhere (including into the BIOS setup) from there. It just turns off, then on, and repeats endlessly. The only fix is to turn off the PSU switch until I hear 2 clicks from inside the case. Turn it back on, and it boots fine. This problem does not happen with restarts.

What I've tried that did not help:
Resetting the CMOS at the jumpers and by removing the battery;
Testing the memory using the Memtest86+ that is offered in the grub screen (I have dual boot xp x64 and Ubuntu 8.10 x64) - two passes, no errors.
Using 1 stick of memory at a time.
Set the Performance Enhance to Standard.
Set the RAM voltage to 1.9V (didn't help and made things a little unstable)
Flashed the BIOS from F4 to F5 (this also made the system lock up every 30 minutes or so).
Set to Optimized Defaults.
Changed boot order (multiple ways).
Made sure the RAM timings matched.
All case and component temps are nice and cool (30-40 deg C).

What DID work (sort of):
Flashed from F5 to F6 BIOS. This got rid of the annoying boot problem and I was pretty happy until it turned out to cause system lock-ups every 20 minutes. So, the cure was worse than the disease.

What I haven't tried:
Using a different PSU. The only other PSU I have is something like 160W from my old Dell, and I don't think that's enough for this new system.

I've seen other threads with similar problems for this board, something about RAM timings or I don't know what, but they had different RAM. I didn't really understand the thread instructions, and I don't know enough about what I'm doing to adapt them.

(I would have posted my CMOS settings here also, but don't know how to copy/paste them - can I or do I just have to copy by hand?)

My build:
Board: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
CPU: q8200, stock cooler, not OC'd
Video: Sapphire Radeon HD4850 512MB
RAM: Corsair XMS DDR2 800; 2x2GB; 5-5-5-18 timings
PSU: Antec Earthwatts 650W
HDD: 1TB Samsung 7200PRM

[SpeedEuphoria]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

You prob need to raise the MCH core to 1.24-1.28 and try that.

As far as that "cold boot" issue, that just means something is not set right so it wont boot, turning the psu switch off, then back on will let it boot like you found out.

[JohnF]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

You prob need to raise the MCH core to 1.24-1.28 and try that.

Thanks for the suggestion, SpeedEuphoria, but it didn't work.

I changed the MCH Core setting from [Auto] to [1.240]. Saved, restarted, then did a full shut down. After a minute I turned it back on, and there's still the same boot problem.

Since it didn't help, I went back into the M.I.T. to change the MCH Core back to [Auto], and the MIT it flashed a little red sign at me saying something like: there were boot problems because of incorrect settings. The only other time I've seen that is when I changed the voltage to 1.9 from 1.8.

Did I need to also change other MCH or ICH settings, along with the core voltage?

[SpeedEuphoria]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

That red box is telling you that something is not right, same thing as the board doing the endless rebooting.

So since your CPU is at stock settings, that leaves the memory as the culprit. What speed does the memory say its running at?

Try 1 stick at a time and see if you have any issues w/ either stick, then let us know

[JohnF]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

So since your CPU is at stock settings, that leaves the memory as the culprit. What speed does the memory say its running at?

Try 1 stick at a time and see if you have any issues w/ either stick, then let us know

The memory says it is running at 800 MHz.

I'll try the 1-stick-at-a-time again, later today.

Thanks.

[JohnF]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

Alrighty - I had a few spare moments this morning.

Shut down, unplugged, and pulled the first stick of RAM. Plugged in, booted up (since the power was off, it booted cleanly), shut down, turned back on, and encountered the same problem.
Repeated this by putting stick one back in and pulling stick two. Still the same problem.

So I suppose my question at this point is: why would BIOS ver. F6 cure this problem, where F4 and F5 do not? What's the difference? (The description for F6 on the Gigabyte website is "Improve ET6 compatibility." I don't even know what ET6 is.)
Is there any way to know why F6 is not stable on my system / any way to make F6 run stable on my system?

(I also notice that there is a F7a listed in the Latest BIOS sticky thread. I'm hesistant to flash to something I assume is an alpha product, and really hesistant to keep flashing the BIOS. I've probably done it too many times already.)

[SpeedEuphoria]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

The Bios prob wont fix your issue. If you do want to try 1 DO Not flash till your computer is stable which it currently is Not!!! Otherwise you can get something corrupted which will only add to your issues


Then stick w/ F6 after we get this working as it boots slightly faster than the older ones.


OK so on to the issue, So you have the memory timings on auto? and they show 5-5-5-18 correct?? What PL are you running?(its Static tRead). Also BTW what slots do you have the memory in? as you said pulled the 1st stick so I'm not sure where you have the mem at, for 1 stick it should be in the slot closest to the CPU, for 2 sticks it should be in both slots of the same color

So go into bios, click load optimized defaults, then change the Dram V to 1.9 and MCH to 1.28v then reboot.

If it does not reboot with the memory timings on auto, then do what you do to get it to boot, then adjust the 2 things above and set the memory timings to 6-6-6-20 and try it. Also make sure the PL is on 9.

If it still doesnt boot correctly then you need to run Memtest on each stick individually(in the slot closest to the CPU) overnight so like 8hrs for each stick. Personally I like to run just a certain test for a couple hours then run another test for a couple more. To do this you hit "c,1,3,5,enter,0" then after 10 passes you can try test 7 which is "c,1,3,7,enter,0" and let that run 10 passes.

[JohnF]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

Thank you for all your help, I really appreciate it.

The sticks of RAM, when both are in, are in slots 1 and 3. I have also tried slots 2 and 4, to no different effect. About a week ago tried just one stick at a time, swapping only in slot 1. Today I left them in their respective slots (1 and 3), while taking out the other.

I will try your suggestions, and let you know what the PL is.

Thanks again.

[SpeedEuphoria]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

Yeah if you only use 1 stick it must go into the 1st slot. So retry your previous test and put each stick individually in the 1st slot.

After you see how that works, if 1 stick works fin in the 1st slot, then leave it there and put the other in the 3rd slot.

I have that issue w/ mine currently, as in if I switch the sticks positions it will not boot, so I leave a certain stick in slot 1.

[JohnF]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

(The Static tRead was set to 7; the default, I assume.)

So, I loaded Optimized Defaults, set the DRAM voltage to 1.9V, and the MCH to 1.28V. This didn't fix the problem. (It did give me that red warning notice the next time I went into the BIOS, though.)

Then I did the same things as I just said, again, and set timings to 6-6-6-20, with the Static tRead set to 9. This didn't fix the problem either, but the next time I entered the BIOS, there was no red warning note.

So I then tried (reset to Optimized Defaults) each stick, by itself, in slot 1. Didn't help. Just in case I also switched the sticks around between slots 1 and 3 and tried with both. No luck.

I guess I'm down to Memtest - I'll do one stick tonight and the other tomorrow night. I'll post if anything comes up.

Thanks again for all the help.

[SpeedEuphoria]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

That's very strange

Yeah try the memtest overnight on each stick by itself.

1 other thing you can try is lower the MCH reference to like /.70v as my board wont boot at higher FSB when OC'ing unless I lower this.

BTW it would be very helpfull if you could post your full bios settings and all the ones you tried:

Just Quote this post and edit your details in

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.33GHz (333*7)


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

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


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 333
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

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

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................  [Auto]
tWTR..........................................  [Auto]
tWR............................................  [Auto]
tRFC...........................................  [Auto]
tRTP...........................................  [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: [Auto] Should be 2 for "2T"

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

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: [Auto] Try to go for 9 for now, then 8 or 7 if we get this figured out
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:  [Auto]
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:  [Auto] same as other channel
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:  [Auto]
 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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: Auto or "Normal" which is stock
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: Auto
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: Auto
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto [Auto]
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: For now leave on 1.24v
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........: [Auto] My board seems picky about this, so if you try lower, like .70v see if that helps
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: [Auto]
ICH I/O……………….....1.500V............: Auto
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: Auto

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: Try to leave on what your mem says for now, so 1.9v
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: [Auto]
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: [Auto]
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: [Auto]

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

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect .............. [Enabled]

[JohnF]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

Thanks - that cheat sheet for the BIOS details was super helpful.
I missed some of the edits, I'm going to pop back into BIOS to find them and then edit this list, if necessary. [EDIT: nope, everything below is as accurate as I could figure.]

Here's the list (notice either I couldn't find or don't have some options on my motherboard):

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: [7 X]
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.I don't have this option.
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.33GHz (333*7)


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: [Auto]
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [TURBO] Have tried STANDARD, too.
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: [Disabled] I don't have this option.
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: [Auto]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: [800]
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Auto] Have tried [Manual] with timings below.

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 5 6
tRCD ......................................... 5 6
tRP'........................................... 5 6
tRAS.......................................... 18 20

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3.. [Auto]
tWTR.......................................... 3.. [Auto]
tWR............................................ 6.. [Auto]
tRFC........................................... 42..[Auto]
tRTP........................................... 3.. [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 0. . [Auto] Should be 2 for "2T"

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ Couldn't find.

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: 7. [Auto]
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................: 0 [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] I added this line.0.760 Have tried 1.24; 1.280.760Have tried 1.9V[Enabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................:
x C4/C4E State Support..................: I don't have either option
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect .............. [Enabled][/code][/quote]

[flyfisher]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

Try these settings if SpeedEuphoria's don't work out for you. It is important to have a tRFC memory timing set to 52 or higher when using 2 x 2GB of RAM. It might just be this setting giving you problems. Set tRFC to 52 for starters and try it. The CPU and MCH reference can also cause problems. I found that for my Q9550 and 2 x 2 GB I needed a GTL of about 67% on both, despite claims that 45nm CPUs only need 63%. I would try 1.2v CPU termination and 1.2v MCH, with a reference voltage of 0.760 or 0.800 for each. This corresponds to GTL's of 63% (0.76/1.2 = 0.633) and 67% (0.800/1.2 = 0.666).

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.33GHz (333*7)

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]

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

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 333
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.66B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time..............................  5
tRCD .........................................  5
tRP'..........................................  5
tRAS.......................................... 18
Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... [Auto]
tWTR..........................................  [Auto]
tWR............................................  [Auto]
tRFC...........................................  52
tRTP...........................................  [Auto]
Command Rate (CMD) ............................   2
Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................
Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: [Auto] Try to go for 9 for now, then 8 or 7 if we get this figured out
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:  [Auto]
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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:  [Auto] same as other channel
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:  [Auto]
 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]
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: [Auto]
Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.���... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore�.���.........................: Auto or "Normal" which is stock
CPU Termination�..... 1.200V*.......: 1.2
CPU PLL�������....1.500V*...........: 1.5
CPU Referen.����....0.760V*.......: 0.760 or 0.800 (gives 63% or 67% GTL, respectively)
MCH/ICH
MCH Core�����.....1.100V...........: 1.2
MCH Reference�.��.0.760V...........: 0.760 or 0.800 (gives 63% or 67% GTL, respectively)
MCH/DRAM Ref.�......0.900V...........: [Auto]
ICH I/O������.....1.500V............: 1.5
ICH Core����...��1.100V............:  1.1
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ��....1.800V............: Try to leave on what your mem says for now, so 1.9v
DRAM Termination .�0.900V............: [Auto]
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: [Auto]
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: [Auto]
Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: 
x C4/C4E State Support..................: 
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]
Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect .............. [Enabled]

[SpeedEuphoria]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

Try some of these adjustments also:

DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: Standard for now
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: [Auto]
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: [800] What does it show here? Should be "800 800", the second number is the real memory speed, if not then you need to manually set the "(G)MCH Frequency Latch to 333 and "System memory Multiplier to 2.40B?? so that it shows 800 for this "Memory Frequency"
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: Go manual here

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................ 5 lets keep trying stock settings, so 5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'........................................... 5
tRAS.......................................... 18

I think these secondary timings could be some of your issues so try this these 1st along with the other voltages we talked about previously, hopefully it will solve your issues(fingers crossed):
Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... Try 4-6 so highest numbers 1st, so 6
tWTR.......................................... 4-6
tWR............................................ 6-8
tRFC........................................... 52-72
tRTP........................................... 4-6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: Set to 2


Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................: Set to 9 for now to try

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:9 same as other channel

CPU Referen.…………....0.760V.......: Try lower and higher here also(most I dont think need any other than stock
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: Keep trying 1.20-1.28, prob dont need more that 1.20v for now
MCH Reference….…….0.760V...........: Try lower like .70 and .66, or higher like "FlyFisher" said

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: Keep trying 1.8 or 1.9v for now

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-UD3P boot issue

Sorry I have been gone, seems like great help is already got you covered!

Let us know how you get along and if you need more help. If you do please link us to your ram or let us know the voltage stated on the sticker as 1.8-1.9 may not be enough