Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

[JBtje]

Hello there,

I recently bought a new PC (lets say 2+ weeks ago) and its still not running :|

[COLOR=#000000][B]Motherboard: [/B]Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][B]CPU:[/B] Intel Core i7 i7-860 / 2.8 GHz[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][B]RAM:[/B] [URL="http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr3_pc3_10666_platinum_low_voltage_dual_channel"]OCZ[/URL][/COLOR][URL="http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr3_pc3_10666_platinum_low_voltage_dual_channel"] platinum 1333MHz, pc3-10666, 4GB 1.65V[/URL]
[B]CPU Cooler[/B]: Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B
[B]Graphic[/B]: Club 3D HD5750

After alot of failures in Memtest86+, I found out my CPU wasn't supported by the current bios version (F3). I downloaded the latest version (F5) and flashed the BIOS via Q-flash.
I configured all settings for the ram, and let the CPU work at 3 GHz (21 BLCK's of 143 instead of 133).

I managed to run memtest for about 9 hours, resulting in 12 passes and "1" error.

The current problem I have is that after each time i shutdown my PC for like 15+ min (might be less), I can't startup anymore...
This is caused because the Motherboard has dual BIOS, and the backup BIOS still has version F3 on it!!! while the main one has F5... Once I go to the BIOS, I get this screen saying:
After saving the settings in the BIOS (I dont have to change anything, cuz the data is still there) and restarting, it works all fine....

In 2 other topics here I found how I should "flash" the backup BIOS:
- First flash the main bios with Q-flash.
- Restart and go to the BIOS to "Load Optimized Defaults".
- Restart the PC and Load windows. (the backup BIOS should be flashed with the main BIOS b4 starting windows)

The only problem: it doesn't flash the backup BIOS...
I also tried it without the loading of optimized defaults, but still not working....

What should i do???
JB

p.s. I found out too late I should do all these stepps, so once I repeated it to flash the Backup BIOS, I already had the F5 in the main, and flashed it again with a new copy of F5, could that be the problem ?

[wazza300]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

it might be a voltage problem thats causing it as new bios's should flash the back up bios automaticaly,set your ram voltage to its spec 1.5 or 1.66 it should be and set qpi/vtt manually, try 1.25000 <--[qpi/vtt] and not qpi pll

[JBtje]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

it might be a voltage problem thats causing it as new bios's should flash the back up bios automaticaly,set your ram voltage to its spec 1.5 or 1.66 it should be and set qpi/vtt manually, try 1.25000 <--[qpi/vtt] and not qpi pll

Voltage of the RAM was already 1.66 Volt.
Voltage of the QPI changed to 1.250 Volt. (normally 1.100 Volt)

PC turned off for 10 min

PC started: Now I get the message as soon as my BIOS is loading

“The system has experienced boot failures because of overclocking or changes of coltages. Last setting in this page may not coincide with current H/W states.”

So, normally i first go to the BIOS, than select any subgroup and I get this message in red on my screen, thought NOW i don't even go in the BIOS setup, its just loading, and i get this error.... so QPI voltage seems to have made it worse :S

Any other ideas? (and howto flash the backup bios, thats still F3 :S)

JB

[wazza300]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

it gives you that red warning if an adjustment to the bios isnt correct,set qpi to auto and see what it sets it at, make a note of your overclocking settings and try loading optimized defaults and save n exit then it should flash the back up but i dont think its that thats causing you problems it because your raised bclk without adjusting your ram,cpu,qpi voltages...have you set your ram multi to give you rated speed?

[JBtje]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

it gives you that red warning if an adjustment to the bios isnt correct,set qpi to auto and see what it sets it at, make a note of your overclocking settings and try loading optimized defaults and save n exit then it should flash the back up but i dont think its that thats causing you problems it because your raised bclk without adjusting your ram,cpu,qpi voltages...have you set your ram multi to give you rated speed?

I loaded default settings, restarted the PC, windows 7 booted without problems.
After restarting my PC im now in the BIOS again: backup BIOS still is version F3.

Advaned frequentcy setting
- CPU Clock Ratio: 21x (frequency = 133x21=2.8GHz)
- QPI Clock Ratio: Auto
- Base Clock(BCLK)Control: Disabled
- System Memory Multiplier (SPD): 10.0 (mem frequency: 1333)
- PCI Express Frequency (MHz): Auto
- C.I.A.2: Disabled
- CPU Clock Drive: 800 mV
- PCI Express Clock Drive: 900mV
- CPU Clock Skew: 0ps

Advanced CPU Core Features
- Intel(R) Turbo Boost Tech.: Auto
- CPU Core Enabled: All
- CPU Multi-Threading: Enabled
- CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E): Auto
- C3/C6/C7 State Support: Auto
- CPU Thermal Monitor: Auto
- CPU EIST Function: Auto
- Bi-Directional PROCHOT: Auto

Advanced Memory Settings
- System Memory Mulitplier (SPD): 10.0
- Performance Enhance: Turbo
- DRAM Timing Selectable (SPD): Quick
- Channel Interleaving: Auto
- Rank Interleaving: Auto

Channel A Timing Setting
- CAS LAtency Time: 7
- tRCD: 7
- tRP: 7
- tRAS: 24
- tRC: Auto
- tRRD: Auto
- tWTR: Auto
- tWR: Auto
- tWTP: Auto
- tWL: Auto
- tRFC: 94
- tRTP: Auto
- tFAW: Auto
- Command Rate (CMD): 2
- B2B CAS Delay: Auto
- Round Trip Latency: Auto

Channel A Turnaround Settings
- Different DIMMs: Auto
- Different RANKS: Auto
- On The Same Rank: Auto
- Different DIMMs: Auto
- Different RANKS: Auto
- On The Same Rank: Auto

Advanced Voltage Settings
- Load-Line Calibration: Auto
- CPU Vcore: Auto (normal: 1.25000V)
- QPI/Vtt Voltage: Auto (normal: 1.100V)
- PCH Core: Auto (normal: 1.050V)
- CPU PLL: Auto (normal: 1.800V)
- DRAM Voltage: 1.640V (normal: 1.500V)
- DRAM Termination: Auto (normal: 0.750V)
- Ch-A Data VRef.: Auto (normal: 0.750V)
- Ch-B Data VRef.: Auto (normal: 0.750V)
- Ch-A Address VRef.: Auto (normal: 0.750V)
- Ch-B Address VRef.: Auto (normal: 0.750V)

Miscellaneous Settings
- Isochronous Support: Enabled
- Virtualization Technology: Enabled

I could say im a n00b according to setting all these things.. All settings where set by RMA, thought these idiots didn't check with the CPU i had, so they had no problem (at least, they say) and i only had problems till i updated the BIOS... now i still have problems after turning on the PC -> first time fails, turning it off for 5 sec and on again works... but that not realy what i had in mind for my new pc, turning it off and on each time i wanna use it :|


Maybe anything above was set incorrect???

Best regards,
JB

[wazza300]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

if you pm ldsmeasap he will know how to flash the back up bios as i dont know how you do it,all i know is the newer bios's flash both bios chips,was it working ok on f3 bios? you can always flash back to that one,when you loaded defaults and restarted did you restart again and load defualts again? after bios warning? do it again and see if it flashes back up

[Psycho101]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

The backup BIOS is only used if the first one is corrupted. Your system is failing due to incorrect hardware settings. You aren't booting from the backup, the board is booting from the main BIOS and using failsafe defaults.

Your problem has nothing to do with dual BIOS. It is common for the backup BIOS to be an older version. It doesn't matter as long as the backup chip contains a non corrupt, working BIOS. The backup chip is only flashed if there are significant changes or changes to QFlash. As I say, the PC only uses the backup if the main BIOS becomes corrupt, not if the system fails due to HW settings.

[JBtje]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

Aaah ok, thats good to know, that explains why the RAM is running in 1080 MHz but not why it uses 7-7-7-19 (while loading fail safe gives: 7-7-7-16, na... not important...)

So what can i do to make the system work corretly, so there is no HW failure?

Thanks!!

JB

[wazza300]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

your rams rated for 7-7-7-20 timings click expert and set them at that,and set ram multi and ram speed manually,leave everything else on auto for now..where its says command rate 2T in ram settings set it at 1T...remember to save and exit F10 after you make changes

[JBtje]

Re: Ga-p55m-ud2 - Backup BIOS problems

Ok, I filled in those settings:
7-7-7-20 with multiplier at 10 (times 133)
command rate normally is 1, so i kept thatone on auto
also the tRFC I kept on Auto (=60)
voltage at Auto: 1.5 Volt

I boot up, and get the HW settings failure.

so ok. i shut down the pc for 5 sec, startup (no error as usual)
windows starts, and i start CPU-Z directly. The CPU multiplier is at 25x one the startup is done, it goes back to 9x.

So i go to Memory tab:
DRAM freq: 666.2 MHz
FSB:DRAM 2:10
7.0-7-7-20
tRFC: 74
CommandRate: 1T

Seems like its as it should be!
than at the SPD tab its saying:
Module size: 2048 MBytes
Max Bandwidth: PC3-8500 (533 MHz)
Part Number: OCZ3P1333LV2G

beside the bandwith, wich i dont understand, it looks all great!!!!
in 15 min i start it again, hopefully the whole HW failure is gone now :D

JB

Edit: WOW! what can i say??? youre a genius Wazza!!! For the first time in eeh.. 2.5 weeks the PC is starting from begin till windows 7, without HW failurs, without BSOD's and without any problems!
The CPU multi is running at max 26 times while starting up :) is it logical a CPU is OC'ing itself? (cuz i cant remember i did it ^^)