Z77A-G45, A2 Boot hang!

Main Board: MSI Z77A-G45
Bios Version: (Latest)
Video Card: ASUS GTX660 OC
PSU: Thermaltake TR2 (600W)
12v rail Rating of listed PSU: Bronze(?)
CPU: Intel 15 3570K
Memory: 16GB Kingston HyperX
SSD/ HDD: 2TB Seagate (Mac and Windows) 3TB Western Digital (exFAT, Data)
CPU COOLER: Corsair H100i
Raid Card: N/A
Sound Card: Onboard
Any Additional hardware plugged into your system: N/A
OC: Yes
Operating System: Windows 7 Pro, Mac OSX 10.9.1
When ever I boot I get the A2 boot hang, I turn the system off, unplug the 3TB WD drive, and it boots like a charm. I have hotplugging enabled on the second SATA port, so after I boot, I plug the drive back in. It works, but having to unplug something every time I turn on my PC is far from preferable. Thanks in advance!
I've tried: Changing SATA ports, updating the BIOS, clearing CMOS.

Oki, thanks i will be back to you when i have news about it

Similar Messages

Brand-new Z77A G45 not booting

Hello all. Just started putting a new build together the other day, using the Z77A G45. When I went to boot it up for the first time, it gave me the "Military Class III" splash screen, with the prompts to switch to POST, start BIOS setup, etc. However, pressing any of the keys doesn't do anything, and it shuts down after about twenty seconds or so. The CPU phase leds all turn on for a few seconds after it's powered on, but after that only the first one remains lit.
I thought it might be because it wasn't recognizing my USB keyboard, but I had the same problem even when I used the PS/2 converter that came with the keyboard. I tried clearing the CMOS, and it gave me a screen showing that it recognized everything plugged into the board, and prompted me to hit F1 to continue setup, which worked, but from there all I got was a black screen with an "underscore" in the upper left hand corner. Rebooting with only one stick of RAM didn't change the problem, and I've tried all the USB ports, with similar results.
I'm thinking that the problem lies in the CPU being damaged during installation, but there don't seem to be any bent pins.
Here's the build:
CPU - Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core
Motherboard - MSI Z77A-G45 ATX LGA1155
Memory - Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333
Storage - Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card - MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB
Case - NZXT Tempest 410 ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply - SeaSonic 520W ATX12V / EPS12V
Operating System - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor - Asus VS238H-P 23.0"
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Quote from: dude on 17-November-13, 06:36:40
Try it without any ram, you should get a beep. If not it seems to be RMA time.
This is not true depending on the board and bios version. Not all boards/ bios versions beep at all.

MSI Z77A-G45 not booting

Hey,
I just built my PC and with the test build everything did it alright, but now when I have it installed in my case it wont boot up. It will only show a little stripe in the upper left corner and it will show 99 all down in the right corner. All the fans are spinning and all the buttons from the case are working. The 4 little blue lights in the upper right corner in the board are on. My specs: i5 3570K, Corsair Vengeance PC14900 CL9, MSI GTX 660 ti, Gelid Solutions Tranquillo rev. 2. Please help me!

Quote
Now it just shows the same as before, 99 in the bottom right corner and a stripe in the upper left corner. It wont show that you can acces the BIOS by pressing Delete. When I tested it out of the case it was going on and of (see my last post) But the with the "test build" everything worked. Maybe the motherboard was damaged when I was putting it in the case.
If I am understanding correctly, it is working out of the case but not installed. Sound like you have an extra stand-off installed in the case causing a short.

New z77a-g45 no boot no video

I just got a brand new g45 mobo and a 3570k.
I have assembled it and theres no video or activity.
The cpu phase leds only shows one led lit.
The cpu fan kicks in so there is power going into the mobo
I have checked the cpu pins and didnt see any bent ones and I have plugged the right power cables from the power supply.
I have removed all disks, the video card and tried with no memory sticks and with only one stick.
Because nothing happens I dont know how to troubleshoot before deciding to do a Rma.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you

I did check the pins in the socket with a magnifying glass. They all looked perfect. The problem was not from there.
I looked at all the board and didnt see anything unusual but I am not an electronics expert so there could be something wrong.
I am sending the board back. Believe me that its not by choice because I bought online and now it will be probably 2 weeks before I get the replacement. Not a happy camper.
Another thing that happened and I am mad as hell, is that to RMA the ask to put the cover plate back over the socket to protect it and I didnt know how the plate was set up so I ended up touching slightly the pins.
I was so mad... I straightened them as best as I could and the tip of the pins are aligned but you can tell it doesnt look smooth as before.
I hope the store will understand and after doing whatever they do the board was really defective.

MSI Z77A G45 boot loop

Hi everyone!
I just tried to flash my MSI Z77A G45 today from the bios version 2.1 to 2.A.
I had blackscreens all the time when i tried to flash it with the M-FLASH utility from my bios.
Then everything just started normaly (after each blackscreen), but there wasn't any update, i tried to force the update with LiveUpdate.
And now when i try to start the computer, i just get a blackscreen (no signal for the monitor) and a boot loop.
It just stops and reboot after 10s.
My hardware is working perfectly, i think this is from a corrupted bios issue.
Which things i tried:
- Doing a clear CMOS (nothing happens)
- Removing the CMOS battery for 10 minutes (the reboot loop stopped, but there was not any display, i restarted the PC then and the reboot loop started again)
- Cleaning my PC (from dust and things like that), it was not efficient at all
- Booting from a USB key with the bios in, and formated as FAT32, nothing happens too. It doesn't recognize the USB key and anything else (keypad etc.) so the blackscreen was there again.
My Hardware:
CPU: Intel Core i5 3570 3.4 Ghz
Motherboard: MSI Z77A G45
GPU: None (Intel graphics 4000)
RAM: 2x4Gb Corsair Vengeance
HDD: Crucial M4 SSD 64Gb
Power supply: Corsair 850W
Do you think that i need to send my mother board back to the RMA?
I hope you will be able to help me, or find a solution
Thanks in advance

You can try the steps found here https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=119375.0
Otherwise, it is RMA time.
Next time use the forum flash tool and archives found on the forums.

(Z77A-G45) HELP! Computer shut down while working and... never boot up again

Assembled the other day but...today it was working fine. Sudenly shut down and never boot up again.
(Z77A-G45 thunderbolt)
i5-3330 3GHz
gpu gigabyte gtx560
Ram 2x4G (High-performance 8GB Vengeance Dual Channel Kit, 1600MHz, 9-9-9-24, 1.5V)
psu Silencer MkII 750W
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Voltage at 24 pin and 8 pin connectors are ok and under the tolerance as I saw here http://pcsupport.about.com/od/insidethepc/a/power-supply-voltage-tolerance.htm
I will check the other rails.
Hmmm... starting to suspect that the cause is something else.
Missed the beeps in the past.
This mobo (z77a-g45) never emitted a single one.
Not even at startup when it was ok!
Oh man!
The computer was running well and then suddenly screen went black, no disks activity, no keyboard response, no video, no reset switch working. Fans continue spinning.
Had to pull the plug to stop the fans. Then plug it again but no boot. Just cpu phase led 1 is lit, fans activity and nothing more. No welcome screen, no disks activity!
I will try to test the ram on another computer.
Any other clues?
Thkx

Z77A-G45 only integrated graphics boot

Hey all, just upgraded mobo and cpu and so far its only working on the on-board graphics, when i have the monitor connected to a card it wont start boot at all, it comes on, lights and fans whirring but it wont enter the boot screen just stays blank with light on standby, have tried with 2 different cards besides my main and in different pci slots, nada, same thing.
I did have one other problem now fixed but i dont know if relevent to this, when i first turned the newly built comp on and had the above problem i tried the onboard graphics method, it booted but then crashed at windows startup with the x07b error, which after some checking is a hard disk error, i set the sata mode to IDE and it worked, can now go into windows as normal but still only on the onboard graphics.
Any help/advice is appreciated, thanks.
Motherboard: Z77A-G45
CPU: i5-3570k
RAM: Crucial Ballistix BLS2CP4G3D
Graphics card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 Windforce 3X 2048MB (tried a 8800 GTX & something else)
PSU: Enermax Galaxy 850w

Quote from: Froggy Gremlin on 22-March-13, 13:22:29
If you are migrating a HDD from another machine with a previous OS on it, it is not going to work correctly. It needs to be a fresh install. Z77's default to AHCI mode.
thanks for identifying the problem to that little curio, a OS reinstall hmm was trying to avoid that but now I know what the prob is and can tackle it once things are settled.
To get the discrete card to work, change the graphics setting from IGD to PEG, Save and Exit and then hard shut down. Install the discrete card connecting it's PCI-E power, connect the monitor to the discrete card, start the system and see if it now shows graphics.
tried this and alas it hasn't worked, I turn on and go into bios, under advanced section the integrated graphics configuration subsection and the initiate graphic adapter line, I change it from IGD to PEG, click save and exit, while its rebooting I yank out power cable (you said hard shut down), clear power (wait a min and press power button down), install graphics card and connect monitor, reconnect power cable power on and...the same thing.
It was originally actually on PEG so I changed it, saved and let it go into windows to do clean shut down to try your method, did the same thing when it failed first time, have tried a few times now, even tried the method but with changing from PEG to IGD, just in-case of the outside chance the order was a typo on your part.

Z77A-G45 reboot and select proper boot device

Hey all,
I've had this problem happen to me twice and have yet to figure out what causes it, so I was wondering if anyone knows for certain.
I have a Z77A-G45 with Windows 8 Pro installed. Twice I've had a problem with after rebooting, I get the message:
"reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key"
This happens with no USB storage nor CD/DVD in the system. When I try to press Delete to get into BIOS after powercycling, I just get the above message repeatedly with each keypress. The only customization that I've found in common when this happens, is that I have the Fast Boot options enabled -- so for now I'm just avoiding that. (I'm actually am not sure if its making any real difference.) To resolve the problem, I have to clear my CMOS settings via the motherboard.
I don't see any signs of HDD failure - SMART is clean, no I/O errors in the System log, and performance seems fine. So maybe it really is just Fast Boot??
EDIT: Oh, my BIOS version is V2.9 / 20130118
thanks

Recommend to try the latest UEFI/BIOS found here;
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=161033.msg1224952#msg1224952

Z77a-g45 gaming mobo wouldn't boot

Hello, I got my processor today and tried to test my mobo which is a z77a-g45 gaming one. I put my cpu in right, attached the cpu fan, plugged it in, had 1 G.skill 8g stick of ram in, had my gtx460 fermi hawk in with ample connectors and connected it to my monitor, yet the mobo didnt boot or beep, in fact the PSU, CPU or GPU fans didn't even spin. Is there a power switch on the mobo itself I have to hit to boot or generate power because I didn't see any? The psu I am using has 2 4 pin connectors on the same wire and they have a piece of plastic that connects them together, so I am assuming this is a modular 4 or 8pin connector.
I put my gpu and psu back in my old pc and they work fine. If there is a power button on the mobo can you illustrate where it is exactly? Thanks.
I am thinking thats what I didn't do was take a metal object and touch each pin to jump the mobo. Too arsed to take out my gpu and psu from the pc I am using now to try it out again.

Just short the front panel JFP1 start button pins. Should be covered which pins they are in the product manual.

Upgraded to the Z77A-G45, OS SSD Wont Boot!!!

Hello guys,
This is my first post on this forum so bear with me lol. I replaced my mobo from an Asus P67 Sabertooth to the MSI's Z77A-G45. I am trying to get my PC to boot into Windows with my Corsair SSD drive where my OS is installed (windows 7). The problem is that I am getting the message reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media . Keep in mind that I haven't made any changes to Bios settings, everything is factory default. I just want to get my Pc running WITHOUT HAVING TO FORMAT MY DRIVE This is a brand new setup btw, I just upgraded to from Sandy Bridge to Ivy Bridge. I finished the build yesterday but now I am having this problem. I tried my OEM Windows 7 disk to repair my drive, etc and nothing has worked. Please help!

Quote from: badboy2k on 28-July-12, 00:03:46
you will need to reinstall windows from scratch as the base drivers that windows installed last time will be different then the ones needed tor your current setup! if you change boards always run a fresh install of your os unless its a board with the same chipset as your previos board!
Ok I already prepared myself for this Regarding the OEM Windows, am I going to have to buy a new activation code or will it activate fine? I recall reactivating Windows Vista like 4 years ago when I changed and AMD mobo, although it wasnt an the OEM version.

Boot problems with Z77A-G45

Quote from: CMaster on 22-June-12, 15:31:08
Processor: Intel i5-3570K retail (new)
Mainboard: MSI Z77A-G45 (new)
Memory: 2 x Corsair 4GB XMS3 DDR3-PC1600 CMXBG3N2A1600C9 (new)
Graphics card: MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II (new, currently disconnected)
SSD: Crucial M4 512GB (new, currently disconnected)
Power supply: Antect earthwatts 500W (used, fully functional)
HDD1: WD Velociraptor 300GB (used, rather full)
HDD2: Samsung Spinpoint F3 2tb (used, currently disconnected)
Optical drive: DH-201AS DVD-+RW (used)
Once everything is all connected up, installed in the case, etc etc, upon power up, the fans all spin up, HDDs initialize etc. Then after 10 seconds or so the system powers down again, with the screen (whether on the external or internal graphics) never having been active. There are no beeps from the PC speaker whatsoever, nor do there seem to be any indicator lights as I've had on previous MSI motherboards. The manual is completely absent of any troubleshooting section. So my main question is, is there any way to tell what stage the startup is failing on? Other threads on this forum (here and here) suggest that the problem is due to lack of processor support. As the motherboard was sold as Ivy Bridge ready, I'd like soe way of confirming this as most likely cause before paying for some fix.
Hey I am actaully sharing the similar problem of yours....
I am using MSI H77MA-G43 (BIOS v1.5), and a set of DDR3-1600 4GB RAM x 2.
When i am using both 2 pcs of RAM, i am facing the same problem:
"after 10 seconds or so the system powers down again, with the screen (whether on the external or internal graphics) never having been active. There are no beeps from the PC speaker whatsoever, nor do there seem to be any indicator lights as I've had on previous MSI motherboards. "
When I use 1 pc of DDR3-1600 4GB RAM, it works again.
I just wonder if there is some RAM compatibility problem with MSI motherboard...I have tried below 2 sets of RAM:
AMD DDR3-1600 4GB x 2 (1.5V) (AE38G1609U2K-U)
Kingston HYPER-X DDR3-1600 4GB x 2 (1.65V) (KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX)
Cheers!

Please don't hijack other's topics. >>Please read and comply with the Forum Rules.<<
Your components are not the same, starting with the RAM. >>Posting Guide<<
Please supply your full system spec.
Your RAM is 1,65V overvolted DDR3-1600.
Only add one module as per the instructions. Then do a full CMOS clear with power cord removed. >>Clear CMOS Guide<<
Afterwards go into the BIOS and set that memory to 1333, (ensure that XMP is disabled for now). Set the DRAM voltage to 1,5V. Retest and advise.

How to tell why my Z77A-G45 isn't booting?

Processor: Intel i5-3570K retail (new)
Mainboard: MSI Z77A-G45 (new)
Memory: 2 x Corsair 4GB XMS3 DDR3-PC1600 CMXBG3N2A1600C9 (new)
Graphics card: MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II (new, currently disconnected)
SSD: Crucial M4 512GB (new, currently disconnected)
Power supply: Antect earthwatts 500W (used, fully functional)
HDD1: WD Velociraptor 300GB (used, rather full)
HDD2: Samsung Spinpoint F3 2tb (used, currently disconnected)
Optical drive: DH-201AS DVD-+RW (used)
Once everything is all connected up, installed in the case, etc etc, upon power up, the fans all spin up, HDDs initialize etc. Then after 10 seconds or so the system powers down again, with the screen (whether on the external or internal graphics) never having been active. There are no beeps from the PC speaker whatsoever, nor do there seem to be any indicator lights as I've had on previous MSI motherboards. The manual is completely absent of any troubleshooting section. So my main question is, is there any way to tell what stage the startup is failing on? Other threads on this forum (here and here) suggest that the problem is due to lack of processor support. As the motherboard was sold as Ivy Bridge ready, I'd like soe way of confirming this as most likely cause before paying for some fix.

Yes, the mainboard is Ivy ready, but the 'as shipped' UEFI/BIOS may not be the latest one that supports the CPU intended for installation. That has been a problem over several generations of platforms. In the past, there were green stickers with the BIOS version printed on the chips, but now, a lot of them are black chips with red dots on them, so no visual way to tell what BIOS is actually installed on the mainboard.
Only speculation, but it is very possible the UEFI/BIOS version on the mainboard does not support the CPU you have.
>> CPU Support List <<

[Z77A-G45 ThunderBolt] Official and Beta BIos [E7752IMS.Axx]

E7752IMS.A300
-- Update CPU Micro Code.
- Update onboard Realtek LAN PXE ROM.
- Improved PCI-E display card compatibility.
- Improved memory compatibility.
This is the full release bios for this board with additional archive for flashing the ME extension.
>>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<
Download the compressed archive to your desktop but do not decompress.
Select option 1 of the forum flash tool and point the tool an the compressed archive then follow the direction. This will flash your bios and ME extension.
Once complete you will need to download and re-install the latest version of the Intel Management Engine Drivers.
<<Intel Downloads / Management Engine>>
Please note that flashing this release occurs entirely at your own risk!

E7752IMS.A4 ===> E7752IMS.A52 [BETA BIOS]
   01.Fix WIN7 64 Bit UEFI OS S4 resume fail issue.
   02.Fix select BIOS Setup Discard Changes and Exit item after can't enter os issue.
   03.Add "Long Duration Power Limit","Short Duration Power Limit","Primary Plane Turbo Power Limit",
     "Secondary Plane Turbo Power Limit" range to 4096.
   04.Fix clear cmos after boot option priorities show error issue.
   05.Fixed build-in shell disappear issue when update FixedBootOrder13 module.
   06.Fix it will show error characters in Boot device priority after disable some boot options.
   07.Fixed OA30tool change OEMID & OEMTBLID failed when select boot to UEFI OS.
   08.Disable "Secure Boot"when "Windows 8 feature" set from "Enabled" to "Disabled"
     to patch some NV's graphics card capability issue.
   09.Fix some monitor hang B2 issue.
   10.Change French language error in the option "Load Overclocking Profile x".
11.Limit Snapshot to be triggled just one time while system with multiple USB keyboards plug.
   12.Improve OC memory(2600Mhz+) capability for Intel 7 series project.
   13.Fix can't detect LSI 9270-8i RAID card.
   14.Fix LSI 9270-8i RAID card can be detected in BIOS when Windows 8 feature enabled,
     but the option has display garbled.
   15.Fix GetVariable compatibility issue while enable Win 8 feature upon MahoBay codebase.
16.Patch some memory user mannule set tcl=12 can't boot when dram frequency>2600MHz.
   17.Update ME 8.1.40.1416.
   18.Modify the PCH Sata Aggressive LPM Support item default value.
   19.Update SMBIOS module ver 34.
This is the full release bios for this board with additional archive for flashing the ME extension.
>>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<
Download the compressed archive to your desktop but do not decompress.
Select option 1 of the forum flash tool and point the tool an the compressed archive then follow the direction. This will flash your bios and ME extension.
Once complete you will need to download and re-install the latest version of the Intel Management Engine Drivers.
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/Z77A-G45-Thunderbolt.html#/?div=Driver&os=Win8%2064
Please note that flashing this release occurs entirely at your own risk!

[Z77A-G45, S01, S40, S03 & G45 MVP] BETA Version [E7752IMS.2xx Releases]

E7752IMS.250 ==> E7752IMS.264
1.Fix the keyboard QPAD MK-85 cant use in setup.
2.Fix core Ratio Limit can not load default in BIOS setup menue after "Click BIOS2" change core Ratio Limit value.
3.Fix system reset after enable item"Adjust CPU Ratio in OS" and then press F11 to get boot menu.
4.Change some item string
5.Fix adjuest cpu raito function error issue.
6.MRC Fast item show only when use user password.
7.Fix show oc fail message when set CPU Base Frequency to some frequencies like 10001*10khz
8.Fix XMP auto enable when use IVB CPU and dram ratio is auto
9.Fixed fast boot caused s3 reset when press ¡°F2¡± after cpu memory change and OC retry fail .
10.Update vbios 2137.
11.Fix use PS2/USB Keyboard combination key(Shift+.. /Alt+.../Ctrl+.... ) Can't to Set name at BIOS Setup.
12.USB KB Can't Use at Post when Connect up PS2 MS and usb kb On the mainboard.
13.Fix sometimes tpm item lost in setup.
14.Fix the "Event Kernel-Power 137" error event log shows while resumed from HS3/S3 with Core i5-3470 and Core i5-3570 on Win8 systems.
15.Fix TPM item enabled issue when load default after.
16.Update USB module to 22.
17.Fix OC Genie setting not set to item after OC Genie function enable.
18.Fix sometimes system will hang up in the shutdown process after idle it for some time.
19.Set CPUEnergyReadEnable & CPUTempReadEnable default to disabled.
Please note that flashing this release occurs entirely at your own risk!
For BIOS Update >>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<
*NOTE: Make sure you unplug your PSU from A/C power and properly >>Clear CMOS Guide<< after flashing.

E7752IMS.264 ==> E7752IMS.266
01.Add new bom Z77A-G45 MVP.
01.Fix some memory cause bios hang 0x3b or 0x4f when overclock cpu ratio to 42.
02.Finetune G.Skill memory command rate timing.
03.Support amp function.
04.Fixed MSI keyboard ES300MU can't detect.
05.Fix the issue that setting item "Command Rate" to 1t causes an unnecessary cold reset when bios was postting.
06.Fix some PCIE card can¡¯t detect issue.
07.Fix use usb card reader error issue when update usb 022 module.
08.improve memory performance.
09.Fix DRAM frequency incorrect issue when use Patriot PV316G213C1K memory and XMP is enabled.
10.Fix Adjusted DRAM Frequency and XMP info incorrect issue when use XMP 3000 memory and if XMP 3000 profile is enabled then force run 2800.
11.Fix Adjusted DRAM Frequency incorrect issue when XMP is enabled and set different DRAM frequency.
12.Add Gigadevice 25Q64BSIG" SPI ROM support.
13.Fix system hang on 0x55 issue when use Team Team-Elite-1866 memory.
14.Fix system hang on 0x55 issue when use SPD 800MHz memory and Sandy Bridge CPU.
15.Fix item "Internal PLL Overvoltage" always Enable when over clock cpu ratio.
16.Set item "Intel C-State" to enabled when use some special cpus
(such as i5¨C3475s which oc ability are limited) to over clock
cpu ratio to the ratio higher than the ratio 4 cores can reach
at the same time.
17.Fix item "Adjust CPU Ratio" show error when adjust cpu ratio.
18.Fixed PLL function enable caused set tRTL timing hang issue.
19.Add language: Indonesian,Thai and Vietnamese Finalize.
20.Add M-Flash support ME FW update solution.
21.set SMLink1 Thermal Reporting Select to ture.
Please note that flashing this release occurs entirely at your own risk!
For BIOS Update >>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<
*NOTE: Make sure you unplug your PSU from A/C power and properly >>Clear CMOS Guide<< after flashing.

Z77A-G45 start up-shut down loop with more than 1 stick RAM

New Build, personal use and doing it myself:
BOARD: MSI Z77A-G45
BIOS: *?* click-bios reports "E7752IMS V2.5", but "MS-7752 VER: 1.4" printed on board?
PSU: Thermaltake 850-watt Black Widow 69A 12v rail
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K BX80667i73770K - Quad Core, 8MB L3 Cache, 3.50GHz, 77W, Unlocked, fan included, no extra cooler yet
MEM: Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B 2x4GB 1600 MHz, 9-9-9-24, PC3-12800, 1.5V
HDD: WD Blue WD10EALX 1TB, SATA 6Gbs, 7200RPM, 32MB Cache
CASE: Thermaltake VN770M1W2N Overseer RX-I Full Tower
OS: Win7 Pro 64-bit
System bought as bundle including the 2x4GB Corsair RAM. Assembly went well but took me a long time to make sure I had it all right. Then, nothing happened at power-up, no lights or anything. My first reaction was to replace the included Thermaltake power supply (700 watt 52A 12volt rail) - I disconnected all power to the unit and removed the original psu and, on a whim, I booted up with the original power supply outside the case and the lights came on with the psu laying on it's side! Got the start-up and shut-down loop (lights up and spins all fans for a few seconds, then shuts down and repeats ad infinitum), which I was not expecting. Replaced the original power supply with the Black Widow (specs listed above) and got same shut-down loop.
Started checking the memory sticks one at a time in DIMM2, each produced that shut-down loop. Also tried with two sticks of Patriot Viper 3 PVI316G160C9K 2x8GB 1600 MHz, 9-9-9-24, PC3-12800, 1.5V (which doesn't appear on MSI's compatible list...but I had it handy) Then, With the last 8GB Patriot stick in DIMM2, I finally let it go through that shut-down loop 5-6 times out of frustration, and then it suddenly powered up "normally"!
I took advantage and have smoothly installed Win7 Pro, and mobo drivers from CD, no glitches, USB working fine. Then tested each stick - all 4 RAM sticks work individually in DIMM2, but the board will not accept a 2nd stick in 4 without that same shut-down loop (tried using either matched pairs). Manual specifies using DIMM2 and 4 (which are the black ones) for dual channel. Have also tried slots 1 and 3 (blue) with same shut-down loop results, no BSOD or error codes, not even any beeps. Computer boots normally and runs Win7 just fine with one 8GB stick in DIMM2. Also boots Windows and runs fine with one 4GB Corair chip in DIMM2.
Have done CMOS clears and also re-seated the cpu and heatsink/fan, and all pins and board connections looked OK.
Have some problem getting into the BIOS screen to look at things - seems to boot up so fast with a re-start that Delete key and F11 don't quite catch before Windows starts (8-year-old Logitech USB keyboard?). Have to completely power down and start up to get into BIOS, but that doesn't always work either. System recognized the memory change to the Corsair stick, but the screen went by so quick I couldn't catch it to get into BIOS.
Questions:
1) I've searched this board and read for hours about similar shut-down loops problems, but either nothing seems to match my particular quandary or I don't know what to look for. I don't understand what's happening with this shut-down loop - since all four sticks work individually in DIMM2, could DIMM4 slot be defective and I need to RMA the board?
2) I have not yet removed the board and tried to start it outside the case - could a short be causing the 2nd slot to malfunction? Standoffs are built into the case but they didn't seem too low, and the amount of standoffs matched the mobo mounting holes wiwth nothing else protruding. It's a really solid board that did not bend when being attached. It's also possible to look down behind the board with the front cover off and see that nothing is touching it. Will breadboard it next, since I have to take it out, anyway.
3) Where exactly is the Bios version printed on the board? Click Bios reports version as 2.5 but appears that 1.4 is marked on the board. Have done no updates of any kind, only thing I did was disable the splash screen so I could see POST (like I could read that fast...!). Do I need to contact MSI to find out what Bios version actually shipped with this board? It's OK if I got an older board with updated BIOS, but it's confusing when something different appears to be printed on board.
Additional info: Phase lights - LED is lit and all lights flashed at boot-up. CPU temp running for three hours idle is steady 37-38C, mainboard system temp 25C. Went with a larger power supply because I intend to use Crossfire and more drives in the near future, but using onboard video for now. System to be used for graphics/video processing with multiple programs running.
I'm currently working from an ASUS M3A78-CM board with AMD Phenom 9650 2.4 GHz. I've never dealt with an MSI or an Intel system before, and the Click-Bios is something new to me. Alas, I'm not an expert, but I've followed the basic steps I knew. What did I do wrong, overlook or just plain don't know? I sure would appreciate another opinion before I give up. I'm amazed at the speed of this motherboard/CPU combo - it's probably more than I need, but I'm intrigued to figure it out.
Looking forward to those opinions,
Jilliebob

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Do this, and while it is in the open re-examine your cpu pins w/ a bight light and hd zoom or a magnifying glass.
Thanks, xmad, I'll look at th CPU again tomorrow/next day under the glass when I take the board out. I already checked them under magnification and was leaning toward a funky board, but it never hurts to re-check. Eyesight is not what it used to be, for sure (I miss DOS, if that's a clue...). Don't want to flash the BIOS if not necessary, since it runs Windows fine and everything works except that RAM.
Bernhard, I don't have CPU-Z installed on that machine and don't want to install anything else until it's working normally. I'd never seen Click-Bios before and just need to get over my initial suspicion of something new! Also learn my way around it before I change anything. I'd never encountered a board reporting a bios different than printed on it. I've never messed with manual memory settings or done more overclocking than just a little exploratory and suprisingly successful nudge - if you could point me toward a good basic explaination of all those settings, I could learn from there.
Appreciate your input very much.
Have learned a lot just reading the threads here for the last few days. This is the best forum I've ever encountered. I'll report back - some suggestions in other posts resembling my problem ended with no resolution, and that's a shame because one doesn't know if it worked or not.

Z77A-G45, A2 Boot hang!

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