Gigabyte Z68MA + i7 3770k Ivy bridge

[bimbo69]

Hi all, this is my first post here because I Have a Z68MA rev1.3 unknown BIOS version. I've installed it with a 3770k IB, but the only thin I got is an infinite loop booting...in fact it never boots up. I think that the board has an old BIOS version, and I have to update it to F10 or new UEFI beta (I'm not sure if it supports the 3770k), but how? since I cannot boot I cannot update the BIOS, so I'm in a no end circle, and havent found any solution...any tip?
Big Tks

[bimbo69]

Hi all, this is my first post here because I Have a Z68MA rev1.3 unknown BIOS version. I've installed it with a 3770k IB, but the only thin I got is an infinite loop booting...in fact it never boots up. I think that the board has an old BIOS version, and I have to update it to F10 or new UEFI beta (I'm not sure if it supports the 3770k), but how? since I cannot boot I cannot update the BIOS, so I'm in a no end circle, and havent found any solution...any tip?
Big Tks

Well, no advices for now, So I found a friend with a 2600k SB, so I boot the card and update the BIOS from F9 to F10, but my IB 3770k is not working at all...just seems to start....turns off....turns on....off...on and so on....I really need help on this...what I did wrong? Big Tks

[profJim]

Try booting with only one memory module installed in the #1 memory slot.
You might need to test with a different memory module.
With the 2600K cpu, did you load optimized bios defaults after flashing to the F10 bios?
F10 is required in the 1.0 and 1.3 motherboard versions for your 3770K cpu.

[bimbo69]

Try booting with only one memory module installed in the #1 memory slot.
You might need to test with a different memory module.
With the 2600K cpu, did you load optimized bios defaults after flashing to the F10 bios?
F10 is required in the 1.0 and 1.3 motherboard versions for your 3770K cpu.

Tks for your answer profJim, the mobo is rev 1.3 as is printed on pcb and came with F9 bios, then I upgraded using @BIOS from window 7 x64 to F10 downloaded from gigabyte site, and clear CMOS. then when I swap CPUs and turn it on, the powersupply starts (I know by the fans) some signal has been sent to video output for less than a second and nothing on screen, and the CPU's fan wanted to start and stop for 1/10 second then the cycle repeats itself...
I didn't load optimized defaults, and I will try the only one memory module trick, should I reflash the BIOS again? I've also noticed that BIOS date is 2/23/2012, is that right? because the F10 was released on MAY!!!
Tks again for your advices, so please let me know if I have to run a different procedure to make it work
Big Tks

[profJim]

You're welcome.
There might be a problem with your 3770K cpu, but this would be rare.
The bios date on the GB website is 2/23/2012 as you posted.
Try reflashing with the 2600K cpu using QFlash, not @BIOS, where you copy the extracted bios file to a FAT32 formatted USB.
You can also try flashing with U1b(UEFI BIOS) where they say "When updating from legacy to UEFI, use only the utility attached to your BIOS file."
I don't know if you can flash back to the legacy bios after flashing with the UEFI bios.

Be sure to load optimized bios defaults immediately after flashing the bios.

[bimbo69]

Thank you, I will try your tips this weekend and post results....praying for now...

[bimbo69]

Well, I have do it with q-flash and same results, even with loaded optimized defaults, also tried the flashdpi.exe util same, loading defeults there too. With uefi bios no luck at all using the flashefi.exe, got the message: fixture is not removed or switch is not set to "on" Press any key to exit....at this point nothing can be done, then reset and F10 again. What am I doing wrong?

I've also test the 3770k in a intel DZ68DB with updated bios (0043) and runs fine....so the problem is the Gigabyte motherboard & Bios F10...not the 3770k....

[IIXVII]

Hi there ,
Did you ever solve the problem with the message !!!!Fixture is NOT removed or switch is not " ON " !!!!! ? I'm having the same trouble !
I've tried DOS and Qflash too , Any pointers would be greatly appreciated !!

Leon

[IIXVII]

Ok so I'm not too sure if you got it sorted or not , But I managed to .
When you boot using your DOS flash drive and enter FLASHEFI you have to type your bios too ! for example FLASHEFI Z68AP-D3.U1L then enter worked like a charm .

Hope this helps someone .

Leon