I started a post here a while back about possible faulty hardware I might have and a lot of people commented on how my PSU specs looked strange. If I could find that thread I would link it.

 

Fast forward to now and I managed to get most of my stutter issues under control but I'm still suspicious about that power unit. A couple of days ago I decided to give my computer a little boost using the Easytune program that came with my motherboard. I set the overclock to 4.33 GHz to start and all seemed fine (although I didn't notice much of a frame rate increase).

 

Today I went to turn my computer on and it would boot for a few seconds then shut off, then boot again and shut off again. It would get stuck in a power loop and the only way to stop it was to unplug the computer. I managed to get it running finally by playing around with the cord in the back.

 

Do you think this could be an issue with my PSU or do you think it might be more serious like a motherboard problem? Also, even though the computer is running, should I avoid FSX until I get it troubleshooted?

 

Cheers.

Drew

EasyTune aka ET6 will do that - IMHO its not very good for SB rigs as it also changes the baseclock ratios and memory settings which can result in the problem you saw. In the BIOS make sure you choose 'optimal settings' and it will reset the ET6 settings. To o/c (low settings) a SB rig is easy just change the clock multiplier (in your case to 43) and leave everything as auto and it should be good to go. For that rig a psu of 600w (750 - 800w better) should suffice. If you overclock higher you may need to change some of the other BIOS settings but there are lots of tips how to that on the web.

Regards

PeterH

Thanks for the reply Peter

 

Unfortunately I can't get it to turn on at all now.

Sorry to hear that - hope that nothing has happened to the mobo/cpu/RAM.

Maybe the psu has given up the ghost or there is a fuse somewhere?

Regards

pH

Update:

 

I am able to get the computer running by holding down the reset button when its turning on and off. All usb devices need to be reconnected once the computer is running again including my mouse and speakers. Then one or both will stop working and I need to reconnect them again.

Drew

The first step is that the you do need to get into the BIOS if you can and load the 'Fail-Safe defaults" which is a feature of Gigabyte mobos. Something is very wrong if you have to do what you say above to get the computer running. But usually to get into the BIOS you do need a keyboard connected (I believe that it can be done without on some mobos). Might be worth contacting GIGABYTE support to see what they suggest?

pH

A CMOS / BIOS reset should do. Drew, this is a jumper/button in the motherboard to reset the BIOS settings. Apparently EasyTune didn't get your OC right. What mobo is that exactly? I'll google your board's manual to help you locate the jumper

A CMOS / BIOS reset should do. Drew, this is a jumper/button in the motherboard to reset the BIOS settings. Apparently EasyTune didn't get your OC right. What mobo is that exactly? I'll google your board's manual to help you locate the jumper

 

Thank-you Dazz I appreciate your help.

 

My board:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128487

 

I also have my manual so I'll see what I can find and post back.

Thank-you Dazz I appreciate your help.

 

My board:

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16813128487

 

I also have my manual so I'll see what I can find and post back.

 

Page 27...

 

Dazz

On my Gigabyte board (if you don't have jumper pins handy) you can also reset the CMOS by removing the CMOS battery (Power off and power cable not connected). Wait ONE minute (or you can short the positive and negative battery terminals with a small screwdriver for 5 seconds). Then replace the battery and reconnect power cord and restart the computer. [[silly me I'd forgotten all of that when I was talking about keyboards above .]]

Regards

PeterH

SUCCESS!

 

Glad I didn't take it in to a repair shop, or worse, start ordering new parts. Reset it and it booted right up, and as per the instructions I loaded the defaults in the bIOS and it seems to be stable now. Thanks to Dazz and Free Spirit. Have a virtual beer on me!

 

Now....

 

-Is there something else I should do now besides not using ET6?

 

-Should I be worried about overclocking now or is it all due to ET6?

Drew

Great news - glad its fixed.

I wouldn't use ET6 IMHO Gigabyte didn't get it right for SB cpu's it might work on some but not others - see my post above - its very simple just change the core multiplier to 43 or whatever and leave everything at AUTO/default and it should be fine. The BIOS is pretty good at getting it right with minimal input from us humans. Make sure the BIOS is up to date Gigabyte updated 2 -3 weeks ago for z68 mobo's.

At some stage you may want to change the vcore clock voltage (usually lower than auto) particularly if you go higher.

BTW I run my 2600K at 4.8 GHz (liquid cooling) all on auto/default settings with no issues.

If I use ET6 or Gigabyte's Touch Bios, I see BSOD's and instability.

Just an opinion

pH