Computer freezes at boot, plus CMOS problems

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qpingu

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Hi, I've been having more and more problems with my X58 Pro. I installed Windows 7 64-bit and the computer would freeze within 5 minutes. Everything would freeze and power to my USB devices would cease. After a few times, this amount of time got shorter and shorter, and now it freezes at the Windows logo.

I had Windows 7 32-bit installed, but I got more RAM today and decided to upgrade to 64-bit. I also replaced with North/southbridge heatsink with a new one I purchased at the same time. I monitored temperatures, and the IOH stayed around 60C (about the same as normal, unfortunately). The southbridge could be overheating, but it's cool to the touch.

I think the problem is with the motherboard because I've been having issues with booting lately. I haven't been about to reach the POST screen about three times and have had to do a combination of clearing the CMOS and restarting the computer until it works.

I updated my BIOS a few days ago hoping to fix my issues and I don't think it's helped.


Thanks for helping!
 
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So, I felt my southbridge heatsink and it was very hot to the touch (very weird, because it wasn't every other time). I took this as a sign that the cheap heatsink I bought wasn't doing so well (although the northbridge was doing somewhat better). I spent the last few hours taking everything apart. I put back on the stock IOH heatsink and rotated my CPU fan so it helps cool the IOH. Bios said that the IOH was 50C, which is the best I've managed to get. Everything is going fine...

Freeze about 5 seconds into booting Windows. Hit the restart button and this time I get 6 seconds in. One more try and I almost managed to get the browser open, but no dice. My optical mouse still had power (unlike the last times), but everything was completely frozen. I figure it might just be Windows 7 64-bit, so I pop in a Vista 32-bit installation disk. I managed to get 22% through expanding files before my computer froze again.

Ideas would be greatly appreciated, but I'm going to RMA this board as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to the $35 fee because my board is defective, but hey, MSI can treat customers however they want.
 
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Welcome to the forum qpingu. Before you RMA the board, give the forum users a chance to advise on how to get your system up & running. Your board may not be defective at all. Without a complete 'full' listing of all your system components, it is near impossible to troubleshoot. Throwing more RAM in may be adding fuel to the fire. Bios update version 7.1?
 
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I added more RAM, but it's the exact same model as the old ones, so I kind of doubt it's the problem (and the mobo sees all 6GB).

System:
MSI X58 Pro
Intel i7 920
G.SKILL 6GB 10666
nVidia 8600GT (only because I sold my 4850 the other day and the 275 GTX is on the way)
Corsair 620W
Two Patriot 32GB SSDs (raid 0)


I believe the bios is 7.1. I definitely updated to the ".1" version, and I can only assume that it was "7.1". All bios settings are default (aside from enabling raid). I've replaced the chipset heatsink with one off of Newegg and back again (waste of $18, because the fan was worse than the passive cooling). I can't figure out what could be doing this, but I'm somewhat certain the motherboard is responsible. I don't get a BSOD (CPU/mem issues), nor does the display just turn off (video card), but instead a complete system freeze. The display is still on, but the power to my USB devices is gone and the computer just refuses to do anything. Windows event log just shows the improper shutdown, and nothing about what may have caused it.

The problem seems to be getting worse every time I run my computer. I've already completely disassembled everything, but I'm not adverse to any suggestions if you think it'll help.


Oh, and while I just started using the graphics card, I don't think it's responsible because I was running fine the day earlier.
 
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Let's see if we can get the system stable in a barebones configuration. Clean install of your Vista 32 with only 1 HDD installed, just 1 mem. stick in slot A0 (Black), Auto Disable DRAM/PCI Freq. 'Enabled' (since only 1 mem. slot will be populated), & Spread Spectrum 'Disabled' in bios Cell Menu, clear CMOS with the power cord removed. Reconfigure bios settings. Listed these out of sequence, but ensure all the latest drivers are installed as well. Believe latest Nvidia is 182.50.
 
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I took your advice and put back together my computer again with only the bare minimums. Turn the computer on and I don't get post this time. No power to the USB devices or signal to the monitor. I try again with three RAM sticks in and same result. The fans work and my DVD drive spins up, and it sounds like a little processing is going on behind the screen. However, the computer restarts itself after about 10 seconds and continues in a loop like this. The fact that the drive spins up and the computer restarts makes me want to believe that it's actually posted and tried to boot, but realized that no OS was on the hard drive and gave that "OS missing" message (although I think it reboots on key press, not automatically). While I can come up with reasons why the graphics aren't being displaying, nothing explains why my USB devices weren't being fed power. I've double checked my installation and can't see anything wrong with the setup.

RMAing, unless you've got another suggestion. I really appreciate your responses, HU16E, but the motherboard is pissing me off. Doesn't help either that my graphics card is sitting in a UPS warehouse about two miles away over the weekend...
 
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Sounding like the board isn't accepting PSU power correctly. Are the 24 & 8 pin firmly seating? Since your Corsair 620 is a triple rail +3.3V 24A, +5V 30A, +12V 3X18A, it may not be distributing enough power per rail to the board & devices. Do you have another power supply available that you can use (single rail)? With a new GTX 275 on the way, the system needs around a minimum of 40A's. A better PSU choice would probably be the Corsair 650TX single rail +12V 52A.
 
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When you mentioned that the system freezes at boot, does it freeze before the Windows logo appear or after?
 
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If you are using XP, try to press F8 before the Windows Logo to get a list of boot options. Select boot to Safe Mode and see if the freeze happens.
 
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NovJoe said:
If you are using XP, try to press F8 before the Windows Logo to get a list of boot options. Select boot to Safe Mode and see if the freeze happens.
Click to expand...

I can't even post any longer.
 
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