GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

[Diotissima]

Hi all,

first of all, bear with my english, i am not a native talker.

I got a problem with my GA-Ep45 DS3P. With a Bios newer than F6 it is impossile for me to OC. The PC will continously reboot ("boot loop"), even if i raise the FSB by only one MHZ- (From 333MHZ to 334 MZ -> Boot loop.)

This only happens with the new Bios versions F7 and F8. I literally tried everything. I read a lot on this forum, i lowered the Dram timing, i adjusted tRFC to 64, nothing helps. As i said: It only taked 1 MHZ to make this board non bootable.

OC works fine with F7 and F8 though, ut i need the newer Bios, since i will change my CPU and it will not be recognized with F6

My system configuration:

GA-EP45 DS3P
E8500
2 x 2 GB (Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX)
Gigabyte Geforce 280
Enermy Infiniti 650 Watt

please help

[Diotissima]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

Wow, no one?

[Dweirdo]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

i had the same thing man, the store i've bought it from said it's a faulty mobo, will get a new one in couple of days,
exactly i couldnt get further then 333, and going up to 3.33 with E7300 was a nightmare, and i used a high voltage for that :S while i should get it on stock.
didnt know it's a bios problem :S.
try getting everything back to default after updating bios, and i MEAN everything, not just the main mit section, all settings u can open with ENTER in MIT press in them F7.
or wait for LSD, he will solve it for sure :D

[Diotissima]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

Hm well of course is set everything to default, i did countless CMOS resets, everything one can imagine of, right after installing the new Bios. Still no success. It's definatly a RAM issue, i think.

Lowering Ram timings to rediculous low values didn't help either :( (I set tRFC to 64 for example already.)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

Did you flash properly when you flashed to the newer BIOS? You MUST load and apply/save/reboot back to the BIOS after you flash

What CPU are you getting, it may work with F7 or F8 is why I ask. And you only mention one timing, what others are you setting and what voltage did you set? 4GB needs a bit more tweaked then just one timing.

Please post what you have set and I will advise to see if I can get you going >>>>

This is Just a template I use to ask people their settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

[b][u]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/u][/b]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: 
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................: 


[b][u]Clock Chip Control [/u][/b]
[b][u]Standard Clock Control[/u][/b]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100[/B]

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


[b][u]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/u][/b]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< 
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< 


[b][u]DRAM Performance Control[/u][/b][u][/u]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

[b]Standard Timing Control[/b]
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

[b][u]Advanced Timing Control[/u][/b]
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

[u][b]Driving Strength Profiles[/b][/u][b][/b]
Driving Strength ............................

[b]Channel A[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b]Channel B[/b]
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps

[b][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/b][U][/U]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[b]CPU[/b]
CPU Vcore….……….........................:
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< .64% Of Vtt (Termination above)
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< .67% Of Vtt (Termination above)

[b]MCH/ICH[/b]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: << 
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

[b][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/b][U][/U]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

[b][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/b][U][/U]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Diotissima]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

Did you flash properly when you flashed to the newer BIOS? You MUST load and apply/save/reboot back to the BIOS after you flash

Yes, i would say, i did everything the way it should be done. Before flashing i loaded "optimal settings" in the old bios (F6). I told Qflash to reset DMI settings and right after the flashing to F7 or F8 i entered the new Bios and again loaded "optimal settings".
Then i applied first the new voltages, leaving everything else on standard or auto.
And after that i loosened timings and only set the FSb from 33 to 334 ----> Boot loop.

At standard settings there is no problem to boot with the new Bios veresions F7/F8. Only when overclocking the boot loop happens.

[B][U]MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)[/U][/B]
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 3.17 GHZ
 
 
[B][U]Clock Chip Control [/U][/B]
[B][U]Standard Clock Control[/U][/B]
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled] 
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 334 Mhz
[B]PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100[/B]
 
C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]
 
 
[B][U]Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter][/U][/B]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Auto
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< Auto
 
 
[B][U]DRAM Performance Control[/U][/B]
[B]Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD][/B]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2,40B
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 333
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]
 
[B]Standard Timing Control[/B]
CAS Latency Time........................ 5
tRCD ......................................... 5
tRP'........................................... 5
tRAS.......................................... 18
 
[B][U]Advanced Timing Control[/U][/B]
tRRD........................................... 3 
tWTR.......................................... 3
tWR............................................ 6
tRFC........................................... 54
tRTP........................................... 3
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2
 
[U][B]Driving Strength Profiles[/B][/U]
Driving Strength ............................ Auto
 
[B]Channel A[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................:10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
 
[B]Channel B[/B]
Static tRead Value.........................: 10
 tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
 tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
 tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto 
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto 
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto 
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto  ps
 
[B][U]Motherboard Voltage Control[/U][/B]
Voltage Type.………... Manual
[B]CPU[/B]
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.3500
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: Normal
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: Normal
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Normal
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:Normal
 
[B]MCH/ICH[/B]
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.26oV
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; Normal
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Normal
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: Normal
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: Normal
 
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 1.960V
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: Normal
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Normal
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Normal
 
[B][U]Advanced Settings[/U][/B]
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC
 
[B][U]Integrated Peripherals[/U][/B]
Legacy USB Storage Detect ..............[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[/quote]


edit: the timings /settings above work fine with F6 and F5 and are prime stable. (12 hour testing) and i have no problems to OC my CPU up to 4.2 GHZ... But they don't work with F7 and F8.

For RAM specifications, please review my first post.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

See if this helps you to OC, and hey did you try a larger FSB jump then 1Mhz? Like right to 400?

All of this for sure can be lowered later, but high often helps with getting started

G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [333] << This is what Auto is giving you, I can tell by the B in the multi below. You may also want to try 400 as you overclock it will make the NB timings looser

System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.40
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]


Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 5
tWTR.......................................... 12
tWR............................................ 14
tRFC........................................... 68
tRTP........................................... 5
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Driving Strength Profiles
Driving Strength ............................ 1066

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.........................:10

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.3

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.1

ALL BIOS's are different, so you may or may not need to start over for timings between BIOS revisions. Best to always start high when you run into issues

[Diotissima]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

I will test your suggestions in the late evening hours here and thanks for your kind help. i will report back with those new settings. (I tried FSB at 400, at 334, at 350 etc. no difference there.)

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

So, how did your testing go?

[Diotissima]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

I am testing it now, i came back too later yesterday night. ;)

[Diotissima]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

Oh well, pure failure :(

Aside that i have (as usual) a very hard time to get F7 and F8 to boot, some really strange things happened:

After the process of flashing i entered Bios (under difficulties, i had to "cold start" and "reset" and "cmos reset" several times before i was able to break the boot loop) and i was loading immidiatly the "default settings" in Bios.
If i then change only *one* value up or down a notch, the PC will enter a boot loop.

For example:

In F7/F8:

Setting manually *only* the Dram timings ---> Boot loop (even with very low Dram timings)
Setting manually *only* the voltages (Cpu to 1,40V and Dram to 2.1V and MCH to 1.30V) ----> Boot loop
Setting manually latch and strap (333MHZ nd 2,40B) ---> Boot loop

So, entering instead auf "auto" values the true standard values is forcing the PC to boot loop.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

You say Low memory timings, you do mean very high right? Just had to ask.

What you see for Auto values on the Left may be incorrect and I would not use them. Please do post for me your full settings you used when you manually set the ram timings

Maybe you have a faulty board? You do get a checksum error when you clear the CMOS right? If not you are not fully clearing it.

Do you have any other ram to test things with, or can/have you tested this ram one by one with memtest86+ on this system or another? >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

You may have a DOA stick in the mix.

Do you have any External Devices connected? Do you have Legacy USB Storage Detect enabled in this BIOS, if so disable it and see if that helps

[Diotissima]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

You say Low memory timings, you do mean very high right? Just had to ask.

Sorry, yes. I reffered to "very high" timings.

What you see for Auto values on the Left may be incorrect and I would not use them. Please do post for me your full settings you used when you manually set the ram timings

Can tell you the exact settings in a couple of hours.

Maybe you have a faulty board? You do get a checksum error when you clear the CMOS right? If not you are not fully clearing it.

Hm not sure about that. I am pretty sure, i don't get a chesum error, when clearing CMOS. Please tell me then how to clear the CMOS perfectly.

I doubt that the board is faulty, since i am currently running my e8500 12 hour primestable at 4.1 GHZ wuith my 2 x 2GB memory installed.

I will run a memtest later on, too and report back.

Do you have any External Devices connected? Do you have Legacy USB Storage Detect enabled in this BIOS, if so disable it and see if that helps

I do have some MIDI (i am a musician) USB devices connected to the MB, but not when i flashed the BIOS. I heard already about the "USB storage detect" issue and allways tried to disable it in BIOS asap untill things run smoothly.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-EP45-DS3P, OC not possible, boot loop

Ya, you must see a checksum error or the CMOS did not get fully cleared. There is my method in this thread (#2) >>

http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/bios-flashing-how-qflash-guide-27576/

A way you can be sure, is to remove the battery, unplug the PSU, put a jumper on the Clear CMOS pins and Hold in the case power button for about 1 minute. Then hold in your Clear CMOS Button for a minute. Then remove the jumper, put the battery back, and plug in the system. You should get a checksum error once the CMOS is cleared

Ya, once you can post your settings and I will see if I see anything out of the ordinary.