**Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7 OC-Tips-Bios-Discussion Thread**

[Bolas]

Maybe it's a BIOS issue. Recent BIOS updates were things like "add compatibility for gulftown" and "add memory compatibility". Maybe my memory (12 GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600MHz 8-8-8-24) is incompatible with the UD7? Or maybe my BIOS is one of the older ones that doesn't support 980X? I have no way to tell what BIOS is installed because I can't even get anything to display on the monitor at all. Is there somewhere in the motherboard packaging that it would say which version of BIOS is installed?

[kayl]

Maybe it's a BIOS issue. Recent BIOS updates were things like "add compatibility for gulftown" and "add memory compatibility". Maybe my memory (12 GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600MHz 8-8-8-24) is incompatible with the UD7? Or maybe my BIOS is one of the older ones that doesn't support 980X? I have no way to tell what BIOS is installed because I can't even get anything to display on the monitor at all. Is there somewhere in the motherboard packaging that it would say which version of BIOS is installed?

Use another cpu and check in windows CPUZ it will show what version it is there. Generally all mobos are sent with the very first bios.

i know with the i7 980x in bios mine only says 4gb, but when in windows it sees the full 6 gb. Are you using 64bit windows??

[Bolas]

Use another cpu and check in windows CPUZ it will show what version it is there. Generally all mobos are sent with the very first bios.

i know with the i7 980x in bios mine only says 4gb, but when in windows it sees the full 6 gb. Are you using 64bit windows??

It's a new build. The windows install cd is in the optical drive, ready to install on the computer. But no OS has been installed yet. Nothing displays on the screen at all when I try to boot, so it doesn't show the version. I don't own any other cpu, sadly. Maybe I can borrow one from Best Buy. What do you think the odds are of that?

[newhit]

Bolas, long shot, but................all connections are good? 12v ATX top left is OK?
Graphics connectors OK? Is the Graphics seated OK? Main mbd conn seated? Is your PSU capable? You get no display, do you have heavy load on the graphics side, xfire?, SLI?
I don't mean to patronise, but, maybe the mbd is not getting past the initial loading sequence before it even gets to POST
Another issue could be that when you installed the CPU the mbd skt might have sustained a bent pin.

Just a couple of suggestions

[Bolas]

Bolas, long shot, but................all connections are good? 12v ATX top left is OK?
Graphics connectors OK? Is the Graphics seated OK? Main mbd conn seated? Is your PSU capable? You get no display, do you have heavy load on the graphics side, xfire?, SLI?
I don't mean to patronise, but, maybe the mbd is not getting past the initial loading sequence before it even gets to POST
Another issue could be that when you installed the CPU the mbd skt might have sustained a bent pin.

Just a couple of suggestions

I removed and reseated all power connectors. I removed all drives, graphics card, and non-crucial connections to motherboard and still get the exact same error.

I have a 1500W Silverstone power supply that is only powering 750W worth of hardware. I'm using a single Sapphire Radeon HD 5970 graphics card, but it won't post with the card installed or not.

I don't think I bent anything in the cpu socket. Oh my gosh, I certainly hope that's not it. That would suck.

[Sam_oslo]

It's a new build. The windows install cd is in the optical drive, ready to install on the computer. But no OS has been installed yet. Nothing displays on the screen at all when I try to boot, so it doesn't show the version. I don't own any other cpu, sadly. Maybe I can borrow one from Best Buy. What do you think the odds are of that?

You need at least BIOS-F3 to POST with Golfy. Most probably you need a i7 920 to flash your BIOS, but try to boot with minimum required HW before borrowing a CPU.

[Bolas]

You need at least BIOS-F3 to POST with Golfy. Most probably you need a i7 920 to flash your BIOS, but try to boot with minimum required HW before borrowing a CPU.

I'm thinking that this is the problem. I got the board from Newegg, it's got the default BIOS installed, whatever version that is I can't tell because it won't post.

Is there any way to tell the BIOS version of a new board that won't post?

Hmm... anyone in Lincoln, Nebraska got a 920 cpu to loan me so that I can flash the BIOS? Or is there a way to flash the BIOS with a thumb drive regardless of the cpu installed or not installed?

[Amurtigress]

Bolas:

Maybe I am suggesting sth. blatantly obvious here:

How about a local PC store and asking them to let you flash the BIOS in their workshop with a tray 920 chip?

I am aware tho that it is looking rather stupid in the USA with the scattered PC stores that usually don't have quite the variety of hardware to choose from...not to mention CompUSA etc. Been there, done that.

I really prefer my German PC stores here with the good old shelves stuffed with modder stuff and gamer hardware. ^.^ Mail order can be nice but I prefer oldfashioned shopping and an occasional fight with a chronical AMD fanboy.

[Bolas]

Bolas:

Maybe I am suggesting sth. blatantly obvious here:

How about a local PC store and asking them to let you flash the BIOS in their workshop with a tray 920 chip?

I am aware tho that it is looking rather stupid in the USA with the scattered PC stores that usually don't have quite the variety of hardware to choose from...not to mention CompUSA etc. Been there, done that.

I really prefer my German PC stores here with the good old shelves stuffed with modder stuff and gamer hardware. ^.^ Mail order can be nice but I prefer oldfashioned shopping and an occasional fight with a chronical AMD fanboy.

I like that idea. There has got to be a store that will upgrade the BIOS on the motherboard for me. I know one on the south end of town that does some custom builds, I bet they would help with flashing the BIOS. There has got to be another store somewhere further north, too, I would think. I bet they are all closed on Sunday though, so I'll have to either take a day off work to focus on building the computer (a great idea) or try to do it during an evening or weekend.