MSI GTX980 Gaming sometimes not recognized by MSI Z97 Gaming 9 AC

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Moondust

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I have been experiencing a very odd problem with my new hardware.

Hardware
Motherboard: MSI Z97 Gaming 9 AC
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790
CPU-cooler: Scythe Mugen 4
RAM: G.Skill RipjawsZ F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH
Videocard: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB GAMING 4G
PSU: Seasonic X-660 80+ Gold
SSD: Crucial M550 2,5" 1TB
Monitor#1: LG 34UM95-P
Monitor #2: Eizo Foris FG2421
OS: Windows 7 Professional

Issue description
The thing is that with 2 monitors connected the videocard is not recognized on a cold boot, but boots perfectly most of the time after a restart. In some cases a restart doesn't do the trick. I have even seen a couple of times that the monitor shows that windows starts and then the monitor loses the signal from the videocard before I can see the desktop (rare). With just 1 monitor attached the videocard is recognized. Als the IGP works fine, it's just the videocard that doesn't seem to be recognized when 2 monitors are connected (all combinations of DP, HDMI and DVI). When the computer has booted after one or more restarts and the videocard is recognized the computer works flawlessly, no problems whatever I do with it (desktop work, stressing hardware, playing games, etc.). Not a single sign of instability.

It's just the cold boot and sometimes the soft boot or restart that causes the videocard to not being recognized with 2 monitors connected.

What makes it really weird to me is that when the computer goes into sleep mode I can wake it up normally within say 10 minutes. But if I wait for let's say an hour the videocard is not transmitting a signal through the videocard.

When IGP is enabled the computer boots and windows loads normally (I hear the sound of the Windows login), although the monitors stay black when connected to the videocard. Then switching the connectors from the videocard to the motherboard shows me a normal Windows login screen, but the videocard is not visible in the device list. When the IGP is disabled to bootup sequence just hangs until a restart works and the computer boots normally with the videocard getting recognized and working properly.

Click sounds
I noticed the motherboard makes 4 click sounds when booting, like relays flipping. I think it has to to with distributing power to al the components, since it looks like components respond to the click by turning led lights on. But I have to say I've never come across a motherboard before that makes click sounds. Is this normal?

Tried fixes
- Replaced the RAM with 100% working RAM from my other computer (Corsair Vengeance LP CML8GX3M2A1600C9) -> problem persists
- Disabed XMP -> problem persists
- Replaced the PSU with another one (Cooler Master V550 Semi-Modular) -> problem persists
- Reinstalled the videocard physically -> problem persists
- Tried several combinations of connecting the 2 monitors to the videocard (all DP ports, HDMI and DVI) -> problem persists
- Replaced the videocard with a MSI GTX970 Gaming (connected with 1xDP and 1xHDMI) -> problem persists

Conclusions so far
The cause can be found in the videocard or motherboard (probably BIOS issue).

Who can shed some light on this issue?
 
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Svet said:
@francos

what bios version you are running?
Click to expand...

I could answer you tomorrow. The rig is at my office and today is holiday :yes:
Tomorrow I'll try to install my "old" GTX 770 and looking for the result.
 
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francos said:
BIOS version E7926IMS V1.4
Build date 06/27/2014
ME Version 9.1.2.1010
Click to expand...

Flash to the latest version 1.7:
http://www.msi.com/support/mb/Z97-GAMING-9-AC.html#down-bios
Use M-Flash "BIOS+ME" Update
 
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Svet said:
Flash to the latest version 1.7:
http://www.msi.com/support/mb/Z97-GAMING-9-AC.html#down-bios
Use M-Flash "BIOS+ME" Update
Click to expand...

Do it, but don't see the video card again! I tryed also with my second GTX770 but nothing, also empty slot
1.jpg

2.jpg
 
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Svet said:
does the card FAN's spinup?
is it filled well into the PCI-E slot, all the way down
Click to expand...
Yes, the fun spin up. The Video cards have power and the light are on, the fan goes, but the motherboard seems don't see if they are!
 
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So after some more testing i removed both mobos and took it to the supplier. They took a mobo out of the box, plugged everything in and installed the same GTX970 i used. It worked 100% fine after switching on. Same with the other mobo and cards. Even tried different ram and cpu combos but no issues. Even with the wifi module (which i blamed) it still works fine.

My suggestion: Remove your motherboard from the chassis, strip everything out eg; ssd, ram, cpu, heatsink and re-install.

If it still doesn't work, guess RMA is the way to go. Mind = blown
 
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Svet said:
if you use a different video card in your board is it detected?
Click to expand...
No, none was detected! I used a EGVA GTX980 AC and a EGVA GTX770 AC but no one was detected. Both video card works fine on MSI G87 Gaming from my first rig!
At the moment I have put out from the rig this motherboard and I'm waiting for a sostitution from the italian dealer.
Thank for the support  :)
 
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jotan.va said:
...

My suggestion: Remove your motherboard from the chassis, strip everything out eg; ssd, ram, cpu, heatsink and re-install.

If it still doesn't work, guess RMA is the way to go. Mind = blown
Click to expand...

I'll try this now.. the last chance :)
If don't work the way is RMA

ciao
 
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jotan.va said:
BTW - Did anybody try to remove the wifi module from the board and then test?
Click to expand...
This would also be my suggestion when having issues with PCI-e.
Anyone tried it without the module? It might be one of the pins that gets bent or does not make contact with the mainboard.
 
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jotan.va said:
So after some more testing i removed both mobos and took it to the supplier. They took a mobo out of the box, plugged everything in and installed the same GTX970 i used. It worked 100% fine after switching on. Same with the other mobo and cards. Even tried different ram and cpu combos but no issues. Even with the wifi module (which i blamed) it still works fine.

My suggestion: Remove your motherboard from the chassis, strip everything out eg; ssd, ram, cpu, heatsink and re-install.

If it still doesn't work, guess RMA is the way to go. Mind = blown
Click to expand...

Hi people,

After reading and trying different solutions. I have to say this suggestion has worked for me. I have not removed the cpu or the wifi module (although I think it does not work for me since the mobo does not recognized it) but i have removed all cables and clear the CMOS RAm according to page 1-30 of the user Guide.

Hope this help all you in solving this annoying problem we had.

Take care!
 
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ignacio.artal said:
Hi people,

After reading and trying different solutions. I have to say this suggestion has worked for me. I have not removed the cpu or the wifi module (although I think it does not work for me since the mobo does not recognized it) but i have removed all cables and clear the CMOS RAm according to page 1-30 of the user Guide.

Hope this help all you in solving this annoying problem we had.

Take care!
Click to expand...

Hi again!

I think i have found the problem.... at least my problem :sad:

So... when I was happy with the setup I have closed the side cover and fliped up the pc tower and suddenly....... the mobo has not recognized the graphic card!!!.
I know, it might sound stupid but right now i'm writing with my tower laying down again on the floor and it works. Maybe there is a connection problem on the pci slots.

Any ideas? Please try that and let me know.

Take care!
 
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Hi,

It is very possible that slot in the motherboard is somewhat broken OR the case you use somehow doesn't keep GPU in place even though screwed in.
 
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