Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

[beltbraces]

I have a reboot problem with a GA-EP45-UD3P system that seems to be slightly different compared to any of the dozens of other reboot loop problems that I have been reading about here during the past day or two (sadly neither Google nor the forum search have proved to be my friends so far).

When I first power up the system (physically connect the power, what I will call a hard power on) it works perfectly: boots, runs reliably, passes any number of cycles of OCCT or memtest86+ or whatever.

I can also reboot the system as often as I please: no problem.

However, if I shut down the system (soft off) and then turn it on again (just using the usual front panel power push-button, what I will call a soft power on) the power comes on, the case fans and disk drive spin up, then the CPU fan spins up, and then, before the usual power on beep, the whole system switches off, waits for a few seconds, and then the cycle repeats indefinitely. The only way to stop it is to physically remove the power. Next hard power on it works fine again.

The whole problem is 100% repeatable.

To simplify matters, I have cut the system down to the following components:

CPU: E2180 with its stock cooler
RAM: Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/4G
PSU: Corsair VX450
Keyboard: standard PS/2
Graphics: Sapphire HD4850 625Mhz 512Mb Dual Slot

I have tried all these same components with a different motherboard (a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3) and that works perfectly.

I have tried different components in the GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard:

CPU: E5200 with its stock cooler
RAM: G.Skill F2-6400CL5D-4GBNT
PSU: SeaSonic PSR430+
Keyboard: USB
Graphics: MSI ATI R4670 512M

but that made no difference: soft power on always results in a reboot loop.

Note, in both cases, I loaded BIOS optimized defaults, and changed nothing.

I have tried using just one memory module, and using each of the four slots, but that made no difference.

I have tried a CMOS reset: no difference.

I have tried too many variations on BIOS settings to list, based on suggestions made in other threads about reboot loop problems.

I am reluctant to send the motherboard back for replacement when it is working perfectly once it is booted.

Is this a simple problem that can be fixed with BIOS settings, or does it sound like a motherboard fault?

If it matters, here are my current settings (thanks to D-an-W for the template format ):

*************************************
*************************************
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P (Rev. 1.0) - F9
*************************************
*************************************
******************************
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
******************************
Robust Graphics Booster ..............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ......................: [10x]
CPU Frequency ........................: 2.00GHz
********** Clock Chip Control ********
>>>>>  Standard Clock Control
  CPU Host Clock Control..............: [Disabled]
  CPU Host Frequency(Mhz).............: 200
  PCI Express Frequency(Mhz)..........: [Auto]
  C.I.A.2.............................: [Disabled]
>>>>> Advanced Clock Control:
  CPU Clock Drive.....................: [800mV]
  PCI Express Clock Drive.............: [900mV]
  CPU Clock Skew......................: [  0ps]
  MCH Clock Skew......................: [  0ps]
******** DRAM Performance Control ********
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch................: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)........: [Auto]
Memory Frequency(Mhz).................: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..........: [Auto]
>>>>> Standard Timing Control
  CAS Latency Time................5...: [Auto]
  tRCD ...........................5...: [Auto]
  tRP.............................5...: [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]
>>>>> Channel A Timing Settings:
  Static tRead Value..............3...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: [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 (ps).......: [Auto]
  DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: [Auto]
  DDR Write Training..................: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel A Driving Settings:
  Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel B Timing Settings:
  Static tRead Value..............3...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: [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 (ps).......: [Auto]
  DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: [Auto]
  DDR Write Training..................: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel B Driving Settings:
  Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: [Auto]
****** Motherboard Voltage Control ******
Voltage Types..........Normal...........Current
-----------------------------------------------
>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore..............1.32500V.......: [Auto]
CPU Termination........1.200V.........: [Auto]
CPU PLL................1.500V.........: [Auto]
CPU Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
>>> MCH/ICH
MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [Auto]
MCH Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O................1.500V.........: [Auto]
ICH Core...............1.100V.........: [Auto]
>>> DRAM
DRAM Voltage...........1.800V.........: [Auto]
DRAM Termination.......0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]
******** Advanced BIOS Features ********
Hard Disk Boot Priority:
First Boot Device.....................: [CDROM]
Second Boot Device....................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device.....................: [Disabled]
Password Check........................: [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability.............: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)...............: [Enabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.....................: [Enabled]
Delay For HDD (Secs)..................: [0]
Full Screen LOGO Show.................: [Disabled]
Init Display First....................: [PEG]
******** Integrated Peripherals ********
USB Keyboard Function.................: [Enabled]
USB Mouse Function....................: [Disabled]
USB Storage Function..................: [Enabled]

[KayossZero]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

Dunno if this helps but I've had a similar issue where if I shut down and flip the switch in the back and/or pull the power plug, I find that when I turn the system back on it boots and then shuts down immediately only unlike you the next time it auto turns back on it works 100% instead of going into an endless reboot cycle.

I haven't tried it lately after putting the F9 bios on my Mobo (UD3P) or playing with my overclocked settings some more (running at 4GHZ) so I'll have to see if it's any better now.

[Psycho101]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

First thing I would try is setting USB Storage Function to [DISABLED]. Some have had issues with this setting before, such as re-boot loops and not being able to overclock at all, and this has resolved it. USB storage will still work within Windows/Linux, but you will not be able to use Qflash from USB, or save BIOS profiles to USB without re-enabling it.

If that doesn't solve the problem, start by setting some RAM timings manually, as shown. I'm unsure if tRead=3 will work, I'd try 6 for that for the time being and see if the re-booting stops. You can (and should) tighten this up again by trying 5, 4 then 3 again (3 may work, the FSB is only 200).

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
******************************
Robust Graphics Booster ..............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ......................: [10x]
CPU Frequency ........................: 2.00GHz
********** Clock Chip Control ********
>>>>>  Standard Clock Control
  CPU Host Clock Control..............: [Disabled]
  CPU Host Frequency(Mhz).............: 200
  PCI Express Frequency(Mhz)..........: [Auto]
  C.I.A.2.............................: [Disabled]
>>>>> Advanced Clock Control:
  CPU Clock Drive.....................: [800mV]
  PCI Express Clock Drive.............: [900mV]
  CPU Clock Skew......................: [  0ps]
  MCH Clock Skew......................: [  0ps]
******** DRAM Performance Control ********
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch................: [[COLOR="red"]200[/COLOR]]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)........: [[COLOR="red"]4.00A[/COLOR]]
Memory Frequency(Mhz).................: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..........: [Auto]
>>>>> Standard Timing Control
  CAS Latency Time................5...: [[COLOR="Red"]5[/COLOR]]
  tRCD ...........................5...: [[COLOR="red"]5[/COLOR]]
  tRP.............................5...: [[COLOR="red"]5[/COLOR]]
  tRAS...........................18...: [[COLOR="red"]18[/COLOR]]
>>>>> Advanced Timing Control:
  tRRD............................3...: [[COLOR="red"]3[/COLOR]]
  tWTR............................3...: [[COLOR="red"]3[/COLOR]]
  tWR.............................6...: [[COLOR="red"]6[/COLOR]]
  tRFC...........................52...: [52]
  tRTP............................3...: [3[COLOR="red"][/COLOR]]
  Command Rate (CMD) .............0...: [AUTO] [COLOR="red"]This will be 2 regardless, auto is fine.[/COLOR]
>>>>> Channel A Timing Settings:
  Static tRead Value..............3...: [[COLOR="red"]6[/COLOR]]
  tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: [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 (ps).......: [Auto]
  DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: [Auto]
  DDR Write Training..................: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel A Driving Settings:
  Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel B Timing Settings:
  Static tRead Value..............3...: [[COLOR="red"]6[/COLOR]]
  tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: [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 (ps).......: [Auto]
  DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: [Auto]
  DDR Write Training..................: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel B Driving Settings:
  Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: [Auto]
****** Motherboard Voltage Control ******
Voltage Types..........Normal...........Current
-----------------------------------------------
>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore..............1.32500V.......: [Auto]<-- [COLOR="red"]Auto is ok if not overclocking. SpeedStep will only adjust idle voltage if this is Auto, otherwise set it to 1.325v[/COLOR]
CPU Termination........1.200V.........: [[COLOR="red"]1.200v[/COLOR]]
CPU PLL................1.500V.........: [[COLOR="red"]1.500v[/COLOR]]
CPU Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
>>> MCH/ICH
MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [[COLOR="red"]1.200v[/COLOR]]
MCH Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O................1.500V.........: [[COLOR="red"]1.500v[/COLOR]]
ICH Core...............1.100V.........: [[COLOR="red"]1.100v[/COLOR]]
>>> DRAM
DRAM Voltage...........1.800V.........: [[COLOR="red"]1.800v[/COLOR]]
DRAM Termination.......0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]
******** Advanced BIOS Features ********
Hard Disk Boot Priority:
First Boot Device.....................: [CDROM]
Second Boot Device....................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device.....................: [Disabled]
Password Check........................: [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability.............: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)...............: [Enabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.....................: [Enabled]
Delay For HDD (Secs)..................: [0]
Full Screen LOGO Show.................: [Disabled]
Init Display First....................: [PEG]
******** Integrated Peripherals ********
USB Keyboard Function.................: [Enabled]
USB Mouse Function....................: [Disabled]
USB Storage Function..................: [[COLOR="Red"]DISABLED[/COLOR]]

[beltbraces]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

First thing I would try is setting USB Storage Function to [DISABLED]. Some have had issues with this setting before, such as re-boot loops and not being able to overclock at all, and this has resolved it. USB storage will still work within Windows/Linux, but you will not be able to use Qflash from USB, or save BIOS profiles to USB without re-enabling it.

No change.

If that doesn't solve the problem, start by setting some RAM timings manually, as shown. I'm unsure if tRead=3 will work, I'd try 6 for that for the time being and see if the re-booting stops. You can (and should) tighten this up again by trying 5, 4 then 3 again (3 may work, the FSB is only 200).

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
******************************
Robust Graphics Booster ..............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ......................: [10x]
CPU Frequency ........................: 2.00GHz
********** Clock Chip Control ********
>>>>>  Standard Clock Control
  CPU Host Clock Control..............: [Disabled]
  CPU Host Frequency(Mhz).............: 200
  PCI Express Frequency(Mhz)..........: [Auto]
  C.I.A.2.............................: [Disabled]
>>>>> Advanced Clock Control:
  CPU Clock Drive.....................: [800mV]
  PCI Express Clock Drive.............: [900mV]
  CPU Clock Skew......................: [  0ps]
  MCH Clock Skew......................: [  0ps]
******** DRAM Performance Control ********
Performance Enhance...................: [Standard]
(G)MCH Frequency Latch................: [[COLOR=red]200[/COLOR]]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)........: [[COLOR=red]4.00A[/COLOR]]

This had to be 4.00C (I am sure you meant that, but just in case...)

Memory Frequency(Mhz).................: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD)..........: [Auto]

Obviously needed to be Manual so I could set the timings below.

>>>>> Standard Timing Control
  CAS Latency Time................5...: [[COLOR=Red]5[/COLOR]]
  tRCD ...........................5...: [[COLOR=red]5[/COLOR]]
  tRP.............................5...: [[COLOR=red]5[/COLOR]]
  tRAS...........................18...: [[COLOR=red]18[/COLOR]]
>>>>> Advanced Timing Control:
  tRRD............................3...: [[COLOR=red]3[/COLOR]]
  tWTR............................3...: [[COLOR=red]3[/COLOR]]
  tWR.............................6...: [[COLOR=red]6[/COLOR]]
  tRFC...........................52...: [52]
  tRTP............................3...: [3]
  Command Rate (CMD) .............0...: [AUTO] [COLOR=red]This will be 2 regardless, auto is fine.[/COLOR]
>>>>> Channel A Timing Settings:
  Static tRead Value..............3...: [[COLOR=red]6[/COLOR]]
  tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: [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 (ps).......: [Auto]
  DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: [Auto]
  DDR Write Training..................: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel A Driving Settings:
  Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel B Timing Settings:
  Static tRead Value..............3...: [[COLOR=red]6[/COLOR]]
  tRD Phase0 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase1 Adjustment...........0...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..........1...: [Auto]
  tRD Phase3 Adjustment...........1...: [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 (ps).......: [Auto]
  DIMM2 Clock Skew Control (ps).......: [Auto]
  DDR Write Training..................: [Auto]
>>>>> Channel B Driving Settings:
  Driving Strength Profile............: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Up level...........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Up Level..........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Up Level...........: [Auto]
  Data Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Cmd Driving Pull-Down level.........: [Auto]
  Ctrl Driving Pull-Down Level........: [Auto]
  Clk Driving Pull-Down Level.........: [Auto]
****** Motherboard Voltage Control ******
Voltage Types..........Normal...........Current
-----------------------------------------------
>>> CPU
Load-Line Calibration.................: [Disabled]
CPU Vcore..............1.32500V.......: [Auto]<-- [COLOR=red]Auto is ok if not overclocking. SpeedStep will only adjust idle voltage if this is Auto, otherwise set it to 1.325v[/COLOR]
CPU Termination........1.200V.........: [[COLOR=red]1.200v[/COLOR]]
CPU PLL................1.500V.........: [[COLOR=red]1.500v[/COLOR]]
CPU Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
>>> MCH/ICH
MCH Core...............1.100V.........: [[COLOR=red]1.200v[/COLOR]]
MCH Reference..........0.760V.........: [Auto]
MCH/DRAM Reference.....0.900V.........: [Auto]
ICH I/O................1.500V.........: [[COLOR=red]1.500v[/COLOR]]
ICH Core...............1.100V.........: [[COLOR=red]1.100v[/COLOR]]
>>> DRAM
DRAM Voltage...........1.800V.........: [[COLOR=red]1.800v[/COLOR]]
DRAM Termination.......0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel A Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]
Channel B Reference....0.900V.........: [Auto]
******** Advanced BIOS Features ********
Hard Disk Boot Priority:
First Boot Device.....................: [CDROM]
Second Boot Device....................: [Hard Disk]
Third Boot Device.....................: [Disabled]
Password Check........................: [Setup]
HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability.............: [Enabled]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect.............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)...............: [Enabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.....................: [Enabled]
Delay For HDD (Secs)..................: [0]
Full Screen LOGO Show.................: [Disabled]
Init Display First....................: [PEG]
******** Integrated Peripherals ********
USB Keyboard Function.................: [Enabled]
USB Mouse Function....................: [Disabled]
USB Storage Function..................: [[COLOR=Red]DISABLED[/COLOR]]

Sadly no change: a soft power on still gets into a reboot loop with these settings.

[profJim]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

Apply all the recommended settings in this post, including the "overclocked" settings.
Please follow the instructions for adding your hardware list to your forum signature and add a link to your ram's specifications.

Some of these settings are covered in Psycho101's post.

Include a screenshot that includes:
Memset using the SPD and ">>" tabs
cpu-z main screen
EasyTune6 --> TUNER tab --> ADVANCE tab --> VOLTAGE tab

[beltbraces]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

Apply all the recommended settings in this post, including the "overclocked" settings.

OK, done that (tried four times, once each with MCH Core at 1.05V, 1.10V, 1.20V and 1.24V). No difference, they all get into the reboot loop.

Please follow the instructions for adding your hardware list to your forum signature

Actually I have done that, but since the system I am posting about here is not my own I figured it would only confuse people if I left in my signature with a different system, so I deliberately turned it off. I did however list the relevant hardware in my post. Here it is again:

CPU: E2180 with its stock cooler
RAM: Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/4G
PSU: Corsair VX450
Keyboard: standard PS/2
Graphics: Sapphire HD4850 625Mhz 512Mb Dual Slot

and add a link to your ram's specifications.

This is the best I can find:

http://www.valueram.com/datasheets/KVR800D2N5K2_4G.pdf

Include a screenshot that includes:
Memset using the SPD and ">>" tabs
cpu-z main screen
EasyTune6 --> TUNER tab --> ADVANCE tab --> VOLTAGE tab

Attached (screen captures done with MCH Core at 1.20V).

By the way, thanks for the link to that thread about a similar problem with a GA-EP43-UD3L. He ended up replacing his motherboard to fix his problem, and it is beginning to look like that may be what I need to do too. I really don't think I should need any special settings in order to boot a supported CPU at stock speeds...

[profJim]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

New mobo failures are rare, but they do happen.

Your forum signature is tied to your profile, not the system that you're using to access the forums. I'm currently using my backup system while I'm stress testing the machine listed in my signature.

I really don't think I should need any special settings in order to boot a supported CPU at stock speeds...

I agree but the fact is that the procedures in that post have fixed many problems with new mobos and "cured" many boot problems with existing mobos that have had hardware or bios updates. Loading FAIL-SAFE settings almost guarantees that your system will have problems.

Seasonic is one of the top tier psu makers on the market. Try testing with a different psu to rule out the psu as the problem.

Check out this post for additional testing options.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

tRD (Static tRead) of 3 is the issue here for sure!! Set that to 7-10 for now

[beltbraces]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

Seasonic is one of the top tier psu makers on the market. Try testing with a different psu to rule out the psu as the problem.

I have now tried four PSUs: a Corsair VX450, a Corsair VX550, a Seasonic PSR430+, and a cheap Coolermaster PSU that came free with a case. All four work powering systems that are identical except for the motherboard. But with the GA-EP45-UD3P all four go into the reboot loop (always only with a soft power on, never any problem booting with a hard power on).

Check out this post for additional testing options.

I am afraid that I had already tried all the suggestions there before I made my first post.

[beltbraces]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

tRD (Static tRead) of 3 is the issue here for sure!! Set that to 7-10 for now

FSB is only 200, so does that mean a Static tRead of 3 is only equivalent to what 6 would be at an FSB of 400?

Anyway, just went away and tried both 7 and 10 (starting from the settings suggested by Psycho101, those suggested by profJim, and also starting from the BIOS optimized defaults). No effect: still the same reboot loop.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

I am not so sure about your thoughts there on the tRD, you could be close but I think at 800Mhz tRD of 3 would fail anyway

Can you test using F8 BIOS so we can rule out F9 as a cause of this issue for you?

[beltbraces]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

I am not so sure about your thoughts there on the tRD, you could be close but I think at 800Mhz tRD of 3 would fail anyway

Although tRD of 3 boots reliably the first time after I connect power, and passes memtest86+, linpack, OCCT etc. It is only the soft boot that loops.

Can you test using F8 BIOS so we can rule out F9 as a cause of this issue for you?

OK, loaded BIOS F8, same problem.

Here was the sequence:

1. Cold power on and enter BIOS.
2. Load optimized defaults (mainly so I get floppy as the first boot device for safety, and also get my USB drive enabled), save and reboot.
3. Goes into reboot loop.
4. Cold power on and enter BIOS.
5. Install BIOS F8 from USB drive and reboot.
6. Goes into reboot loop.
7. Cold power on and enter BIOS.
8. Load optimized defaults, save and reboot.
9. Goes into reboot loop.
10. Cold power on and enter BIOS.
11. Change memory timings to Manual, then tRD to 7, save changes and reboot.
12. Goes into reboot loop.
13. Cold power on and enter BIOS.
14. Soft power off, then soft power on.
15. Goes into reboot loop.

[beltbraces]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

After reading through the thread suggested by profJim, and seeing how nawibo found different behavior with different CPUs, I thought I would try out as many different CPUs as I could lay hands on. I tested these by merely swapping the CPU, leaving all the other components and connections untouched. I also repeated the tests (put the different CPUs back a second time to make sure they behaved the same way, which they always did).

The results are interesting:

                E2180   E5200   Q9550
GA-EP45-UD3P    loop    loop    OK
GA-EP45-UD3     OK      OK      OK
GA-X48-DS4      OK      OK      OK
Asus P5E        OK      OK      OK

If I had more CPUs available I might be able to work out where the problem with the GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard lies: is it with 200MHz FSB CPUs, or is it with CPUs that have a relatively high VID, or is it with the 65nm process CPUs, or is it some other difference?

Anyway, it looks like I have exhausted the other options, and it is time to send the board back. I just hope my retailer (UMART.COM.AU) doesn't test it with a CPU like my Q9550 and then return it to me saying there is nothing wrong with it!

Thanks to everyone here who has taken the time to make suggestions! I will let you know the outcome (by the time I ship it to UMART, they test it to confirm the problem, they send it back to Gigabyte, Gigabyte sends them a replacement, and they send it back to me, I expect I will be without it for some weeks).

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

Hmm, very interesting testing you have done. Looks to me like you are correct, either your board does not like 200 FSB or 65Nm CPU's

Good luck with the RMA, if they do send it back to you and say it works you can always RMA to Gigabyte and tell them your exact thoughts and findings from this test and I am sure they would test out a similar CPU for you and see if they can find the issue

[beltbraces]

Re: Different(?) GA-EP45-UD3P reboot loop problem

I will let you know the outcome (by the time I ship it to UMART, they test it to confirm the problem, they send it back to Gigabyte, Gigabyte sends them a replacement, and they send it back to me, I expect I will be without it for some weeks).

As promised...

On May 15 I posted the motherboard back to UMART complete with a DVD showing my system in its reboot loop and a covering letter summarizing the discussion in this thread (and indeed making mention of this thread in case anything here was helpful to the repairers).

On May 20 I received an e-mail message from UMART's repair department saying that they had forwarded my motherboard to their "channel partner" (I assume this is GIGABYTE's authorized repair agent) for warranty repair. Since UMART say they only do this after they have confirmed the product is faulty I assume that UMART was able to reproduce my problem.

On June 16 I received my motherboard back again. It came with a covering note from a company named Rectron Electronics (presumably the "channel partner") which describes the reported problem as "keep restart" (one hopes that is a summary and that UMART passed on more of the details that I gave them). In the repair section it merely says "updated bios by GBT". This sounded worrying: I had tried various BIOSes myself, and BIOS updates had made absolutely no difference to the problem.

Anyway, I installed the repaired motherboard into a system, booted it up, and guess what? Exactly the same reboot loop problem as when I sent it in, and still running the same F9 BIOS!

So now I have wasted $17.05 on postage, I have been four weeks without the motherboard, UMART have wasted time verifying the fault and forwarding the motherboard to the repair agent, UMART have wasted money shipping the motherboard back to me, and the end result is that we are back exactly where we started!!

I will contact UMART again to see what they have to say about the situation. In particular I would like to know:

• Were they able to verify my problem before they forwarded my motherboard to their channel partner?
• Did they forward my DVD and covering letter describing the problem to their channel partner?
• Was their channel partner able to verify my problem before they changed anything?
• Did the channel partner verify that the problem no longer occurred after they completed their repair?
• Did UMART verify that the repair had been successful before forwarding the motherboard back to me?
• What do we do next? Assuming I have to send it back to UMART again, do I have to waste another $17.05 on postage just because the repair was not done properly?

I will report back when there is more news...