GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

[jlarson497]

Just put together my first build and it won't boot. When I hit the power button on the mobo it seems like it's about to start-- fans start up, leds flick on, but then it dies after a couple seconds. Then it tries to boot itself up again and the same thing happens, over and over until I cut power. I get a code 15 on the debug display. I've tried all the RAM configurations, with both sticks in 1&3 and 2&4, and each stick separately in each slot. Same story. I unfortunately don't have any known good RAM that I can use to test. Did I just get defective RAM, or is there something else I'm missing. Any and all help would be much appreciated.

Specs:
Gigabyte z77x-ud3h
Intel i5-3570k
G. Skilll Ares 8GB DDR3-1600 (F3-1600C9D-8GAB)
HIS IceQ 7850
Toughpower XT 575W

Edit: Also, I have 2 sticks (2x4GB) of Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 on the way. Not super relevant, but worth noting I suppose.

[Acebmxer]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Error code 15 is Pre-Memory North-Bridge initialization is started.

I would try clearing the cmos. Make sure to disconnect the power cord from the back of the psu along with disconnect all cables from motherboard and remove the cmos battery.

Another thing to check is remove the cpu and check for any bent pins.

May also want to try and removing the motherboard and setting it up on the box it came in and see if you are having grounding issues with your case.

[jlarson497]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

For a while it did the no boot thing but with no error message. Cleared the cmos. Put the RAM in slots 1&3, tried it again. Still no boot. But this time it flashed d6 for the error. Tried the GPU in a different PCIe slot, same deal. GPU fan spins up when it tries to start. Tried with single mem sticks in different slots with no change. I'll pull the cpu tomorrow and check for bent pins, and also do an external build.

[jlarson497]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Took out the CPU and didn't notice any bent pins. Did an external build and got the same infinite no boot as before with error message 15. The mobo is REV 1.1 , I feel like I read somewhere that I need an updated BIOS to work with an ivy bridge processor -- could this be my problem?

[profJim]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

The Gigabyte website does not show a rev 1.1 for the Z77x-ud3h.
You can't flash using a new bios unless your motherboard can boot into the bios.

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1155 has a list of z77 models.

We can best help you after you create a detailed hardware list in the System Specs portion of your
forum profile http://forums.tweaktown.com/profile.php?do=editprofile at the bottom of the
profile page or in your forum signature http://forums.tweaktown.com/profile....=editsignature.
Be sure to include brand names and model numbers.

This way we can quickly verify what hardware you have without searching the thread.

[jlarson497]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

It says Rev: 1.1 on the board, I guess that's why I said that. In the manual under BIOS it says -- PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.6, ACPI 2.0a. Also, I updated my specs. I know I can't flash my bios if I can't even get it to boot, but if I could maybe get my hands on a different CPU, I could give it a shot. Does it seem like a viable problem/solution? Or would it be a waste of time?

I tried it today with just the CPU and cooler. Got a long series of single beeps. When tried with mem it gave me no beeps and the error 15 again, and also the infinite no boot. Did the paperclip test on my PSU with success.

[profJim]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Booting with a different cpu might help, possibly with a Sandy Bridge.
The cpu compatibility chart shows that bios version F8 is required for your 3570k cpu with the rev 1.0 motherboard.
The latest bios version is F17, the original version is F7.
I don't doubt that you have a rev 1.1 motherboard, but there are quite a few "UD3" motherboard models.
It's unlikely that all four memory modules are defective.
Try booting with only one memory module in the DDR3_1 slot.

Can you borrow a different power supply to test with?
Even a brand new psu might be defective.
Does your psu have an 8-pin EPS12v power cable?
The paper clip test doesn't help as you are clearly getting some voltage to the motherboard.

[jlarson497]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Okay. I was thinking about trying with a sandy bridge, but I don't have one. I don't have any spare parts -- first build and other PC is a laptop. I will try to get my hands on a known good PSU to test and hopefully a different CPU. It might not be til this weekend but I think my brother will help me out on that aspect. I guess I don't know how to check which F version I have, though I would assume I have the original? How can I better tell you which motherboard model I have?

I've tried both mem sticks in each slot separately, no difference. I will have new RAM coming in a day or two, and I'll try that, but I'm becoming less and less convinced that it will solve my problems. The PSU does have an 8pin EPS 12v and it was connected properly.

[profJim]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

The attached picture shows the model number above the first pci-e x16 slot.
Note that the rev number for this board is 1.0

from: http://www.globalpc.co.nz/prodimages/mb08147.jpg

[jlarson497]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Mine is the very same.

http://www.imgur.com/kUctX.jpeg

To large to post but I'm on my phone so hopefully that'll do.

[profJim]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

and the lower left corner shows rev 1.1
After my first post, I also checked the Gigabyte U.K. site and they only listed the rev 1.0 model of your motherboard.
In many cases, the difference between a 1.0 and a 1.1 motherboard is a minor cosmetic change, such as a motherboard heatsink.

[jlarson497]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Ha, I know, I have been scratching my head for a couple days on this. I appreciate all the help so far, got some good ideas of where to go and what to try. I'll update when I acquire the means to proceed and post how it all turns out.

If I shorted my board somehow, would it be completely dead or would it be alright once I corrected the short or would it depend? I was a dum dum and didn't do an external build before I tried it in the case -- though i have since. Maybe it contacted the case in a day it wasn't supposed to? I didn't notice anything like that, but I guess it might've happened. Kind of a shot in the dark.

[profJim]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Some problems magically disappear when a motherboard is tested outside of the computer case.
This sometimes happens during a new build, especially when the motherboard is not tested prior to installing it in the case.
I always build and test a new setup outside of the computer case, followed by installing the operating system along with all updates.
Once I've installed all required updates and programs, I then perform extended stress tests.
Once everything is okie-dokie I then install the motherboard in the case.

A short circuit can be harmless or in a worst case scenario, it can kill the motherboard, power supply and/or attached hardware.
A reboot loop can be caused by hardware incompatibility (e.g. power supply card or memory) or it might be related to a faulty memory module, graphics card or bios settings. I suspect that a new system that won't post or boot when it's first installed in the computer case might be due to a problem with the motherboard stand-offs or the rear I/O panel. Make sure that all of the motherboard stand-offs are properly aligned with your motherboard, and that there aren't any extra stand-offs installed.

At this point you should test using a minimalist setup outside of the computer case; cpu, cpu cooler, one memory module, graphics card, and a keyboard. Your goal is to be able to boot into the bios. Disconnect all unneeded usb devices, ssd, add-in hardware cards, hard drives and optical drives.

Never place the motherboard's anti-static bag underneath the motherboard.
The outside of the bag is electrically conductive.

[adc1986]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Hi,

I have a very similar build

GA-Z77X-UD3H
i7 3770k
HD 7850
8 gb Crucial ddr3 1600
Crucial M4 128 gb ssd
Corsair GS700
coolermaster hyper 212 evo

Built my computer on Saturday October 27, started right up loaded win 7 pro and drivers from provided cds.
On Friday November 2 found that my computer would not turn on, power switch on the mobo was flashing.
Went through all the trouble shooting techniques and then replaced psu. Power Switch stopped flashing,
however now the system wont boot, i continue to get error code 15 then 51 constant beeping then shut down
and attempts to reboot itself. I have tried everything but swapping the cpu, would really appreciate any advice.

[profJim]

Re: GA-z77x-ud3h won't boot on new build

Make sure that all memory modules are fully seated.
Page 115 in your motherboard user manual says codes 50~55 = Memory initialization error occurs.
Try booting with only one memory module.

Multiple short beeps = power error with older motherboards.