[bilbat]

From nyar13 @ Tom's H'ware Gb forum:
"GIGABYTE GA-X48-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
GeForce GTX 260 PCI express
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750-ACAA-A1 750W ATX12V
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS
I started by assembling everything in the case and attaching all the front panel and fan connectors. When I try to POST, the fans spin up briefly, the PHASE-LED lights on the motherboard all flash on, and then it goes quiet. This will repeat every 5 seconds or so, but doesn't get any further. No beeps, no other indications.
In troubleshooting so far, I have removed everything from the case with mobo on cardboard box with same result, have reduced memory to one stick and alternated stick, have reseated CPU. Same thing happens.
If I remove the 8-pin (or 4-pin have tried both) second power connection, the fans will stay spinning and the PHASE-LED stays lit, but nothing happens after that. This is exactly the same behavior if I leave the 8-pin power connector in and remove the CPU (have been removing pieces and attempting power to try and narrow down the issue).
Does this sound like a mobo problem? Any other troubleshooting steps to recommend at this stage?"
I told him:
"Found something else that may be trouble - what sSpec# is your processor?
If it's "SLAPK" this is not a problem (C0 stepping); if it's "SLB9K" you've got an E0 step CPU, and board probably shipped w/original release F1 BIOS - E0 stepping Wolfdale wasn't supported until F2; you may need to beg/borrow/steal an older processor, just to use to flash the F2 BIOS...
Sorry to be the bearer of evil tidings...
Good Luck!
Bill
BTW - FWIW, I will have the same #@^% problem, as I have a DS5, which I know didn't ship with the requisite BIOS, as to support the E0 stepping of the 9550 I need a 'beta' BIOS. Intend to build a cheap Ubuntu box to run alongside my workstation to avoid internet exposure of my windoze, so will probably buy a cheap CPU for it in advance, just to do the flash & drop it back into the box for a couple months... "

Is this correct? As I said, doesn't much matter to me, as I need an E1200 ($54) for an Ubuntu box; I can just drop it in to flash the F8a...