Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3 problem - once turned on it still rebooting

[TKN]

Hello
recently I received an old Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3 as gift from a friend that buy old unsold electronic stocks.
I mounted on a full working Intel Q6700 and a ddr2 Stick (samsung M378T5663QZ3 2gb pc6400)
Also I connected to the mainboard a sata dvd-rw and a 1GB-WD BLUE (new), a odl full working nvidia gt610, a 580W PSU, then I tried to turn on all the system.

Immediately I'm having a problem with bootup with this motherboard.

Once turned on the system all seems to run correctly (the six phase-leds turned on, the fans start running, the dvd-rw turned on, and the same is for the HDD....but just after 4/5 seconds, before displaying the POST screen, the system automatically turned off and then reboot after 1 or 2 seconds pause, so all the components turned on again but after 4/5 seconds the system reboot again.....it's a looping reboot that make me crazy.

I tryed to search the solution on the web but I can't succeed.

I tryed to uninstall and reinstall all the components step by step, to change the ram slot, to uninstall and reinstall the F/P connectors and the FAN connectors, but it seems there's nothing to do...I can't fix the problem..... really I can't understand what's wrong.

I tried to find more information about what the phase led lights mean but I couldn't find some user guide. The first couple of leds are green, the second couple is orange and the third couple of leds is red. I have no clue what that combination means....


As I said my search on the web have been useless and now I hope to find here some Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3 owner much expert than me who will really help me to fix the problem.

[profJim]

Re: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3 problem - once turned on it still rebooting

Welcome to the forum.

Your boot loop problem is possibly due to incompatible or failing hardware. Your motherboard's CMOS battery is probably dead unless a new battery was recently installed.

The first thing that you should do is to clear the CMOS. Sometimes clearing the CMOS requires connecting the two CLR_CMOS pins for for 15 seconds, several minutes and possibly for up to 24 hours. Before you clear the CMOS, disconnect the power supply's power cord from the wall socket.
A faulty or failing power supply can cause all sorts of problems when booting your system.

Your goal right now is to be able to boot into the bios. Disconnect all hardware that isn't needed for getting into the bios. All you need is your cpu, cpu cooler, one memory card, video card, monitor, power supply and keyboard. Using a PS/2 is the best way to go for now. Disconnect all cables that aren't needed right now.

The problem might be caused my motherboard stand-off problems or a problem with your motherboard mounting in the computer case.

Look for phase led in your motherboard user manual for more information.

There are many boot loop threads in the forum and on the web.
Try some of the following web searches:

• pc troubleshooting
• pc boot loop problem
• p35-ds3 boot loop
• p35-ds3 forum thread
• pc p35 boot loop troubleshooting

The following post has useful information:

Re: Gigabyte P35-DS4 - constant reboot loop

Same thing happened to my P35-DS3L last year. I ended up having to RMA it. I would try it with a single stick of ram in the slot closest to the cpu. If that doesn't work try with only the cpu, a single stick of ram, and vid card. If you have any try a different stick of ram, preferably one that is speced at 1.8vdimm and 5-5-5-18 timings. I'm not fond of Crucial Ballistix ram and run across lots of stories of problems with them, especially the 4-4-4-12 variety. If you are using a USB keyboard or mouse try with PS2 versions instead.

If none of those fix it, try the infamous DFI Long Bios Clear.

1. Remove power from the rig by disconnecting the power cord from the wall outlet.
2. Make sure the PC Speaker is plugged in.
3. Remove the Battery.
4. Move the CMOS jumper to CLEAR.
5. Press the Start Button on the case or motherboard to drain the capacitors.
6. You may leave the board in this condition for as long as it takes to clear the CMOS. If a short 30 second clear or a 15 minute clear doesn't work, try an 8 hour clear then a 24 hour clear.
7. Plug in a PS2 Keyboard.
8. Put one stick of RAM in the slot closest to the cpu.
9. Replace the Battery.
10. Move the CMOS jumper to Normal.
11. Press and hold the Insert Key on the Keyboard.
12. Apply power to the rig by plugging the power cord into the wall outlet.
13. Press the Start Button to power the rig up while holding down the insert key.
14. When you hear the BEEP, release the Insert Key and press the Delete Key on the Keyboard.
15. Once you enter the BIOS set the DATE and TIME then Load Optimized Defaults.
16. Save and Exit.
17. Enter the BIOS again and set it up the way you want for your particular rig.

from the pcper forum, found through a google search