Cannot Get this thing to work!!

[Kubinb12]

Ok, so Ive always been an ASUS fan, and ive been building computers and oc'ing since forever. I recently built a new rig spent the good money and everything

i7-3770k
asus maximus v formula
250 gb ssd
2x gtx 560ti super over clock
16 gb gskill ripjaws at 1866 9-10-9-28 1.5v
more hdds etc etc -not important

I put the computer todether around christmas time and never realyl had it fully stable it was very difficult o even get the computer to run for more than 10 sec (in windows) and not freeze. i tweaked everything and reinstalled windows several times, until finally a certain memory timing and setup made it work... good enough. the computer woudl still freeze from time to time but it was "manageable" recently the computer jsut went back to the same issue, so i updated bios again and began tweaking.. still wouldnt work.. finally i ran memtest and memory failed. so i rma'ed the ram like ive done plenty of times. (didnt put much thought into it) got new ram installed it faield mem test exact same way and still wont run (with out locknig up instantly upon loading windows) So after tireless troubleshooting i rma'ed the maximus v formula. it was returned back to me "repaired" and passing tests... but now it is worse than ever cant even get the 10 seconds i sed to get in windows. ive tried everything and maybe im just an idiot but i cant get it to work are there any certian settings i have to turn off on or whatever? usually at least the fail safe (optimal settings) will get you to boot..

Is my mobo just bad?

or is it possible my cpu is bad... mind you i am running on minimal resources (cpu onboard gfx and one stick of ram)

please help

[Chino]

Welcome to the Republic of Gamers forums, Kubinb12.

The first thing I'd check is the CPU socket. Inspect it carefully for any bent or missing pins.

[Zka17]

Please, share what PSU were you using on that setup...

After checking the CPU socket and reseating the CPU and it's cooler (btw, what cooler are you using?), do a minimal setup... - CPU, one stick of RAM, one graphics card; and connect all the power cables

Then, please, run memtest86+ with a single stick in all DIMM slots, then repeat with each slot - default BIOS settings... if all the sticks passes in all the slots, then mount all of them and run memtest86+ again, this time at least 4 cycles...

If the above things are coming out alright, then connect a single drive (I assume the SSD), where you want the OS to be installed and proceed with the installation... - http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

Only after the above things to start OC'ing... whenever you set the system memory to a different stage, run memtest86+ again... (I like to have the OS installation at stock, as there is the less chance to go something wrong)

[Kubinb12]

ZKal, thank you, but I have done all that you have mentioned prior... I am not even able to run at minimum settings let alone OC

😕 seems like even if i get it working, it would be impossible to OC at all

[red454]

First thing that comes to mind is the PSU.

On the motherboard, is there a debug code shown? Any fault LEDs staying lit up? Perhaps you can post a picture of your setup?

[chrsplmr]

If the socket checks out .. I'd have to echo PSU. When 'weird stuff' is happening or not happening the psu is usually the culprit.
Best of Luck. c.

[Kubinb12]

Socket checks out psu is 850 watt modular (good one enough amperage ) and its brand new debug codes are A0 or A2 (the only ones ive seen) cpu reseated over and over (no i didnt break anything) got a 212 evo cooler artic silver thermal paste. Mem test fails every time at 42% but the sticks pass in a different computer. so im pretty sure the issue is centered around why the memtest fails the same way every time... but i know memtest can fail due to bad memory settings, bad ram, or bad mobo (have yet to see a cpu cause it but who knows)

the pic is it with no gfx cards runnig bare minimum (tw sticks currently but i tried one)

thanks for all the help

[Zka17]

Kubinb12 wrote:


Socket checks out psu is 850 watt modular (good one enough amperage ) and its brand new debug codes are A0 or A2 (the only ones ive seen) cpu reseated over and over (no i didnt break anything) got a 212 evo cooler artic silver thermal paste. Mem test fails every time at 42% but the sticks pass in a different computer. so im pretty sure the issue is centered around why the memtest fails the same way every time... but i know memtest can fail due to bad memory settings, bad ram, or bad mobo (have yet to see a cpu cause it but who knows)

the pic is it with no gfx cards runnig bare minimum (tw sticks currently but i tried one)

thanks for all the help

Wow, that's a lot of errors in the memtest86+... - if that is happening at default BIOS settings, then you may consider these possibilities:
1. The RAM kit(s) are incompatible with your mobo/CPU - have you checked if that kit is on the QVL?
2. The RAM kit is faulty... - I understood that you've changed/RMA'd already, but you got the same brand/model every time? Have you tried a different kit?
3. Your CPU's memory controller is bad - you have to try that CPU in an other system....

[Kubinb12]

Chino, I just did as you said and have the exact same results. Zkal, Ram kits are compatible and are XMP ready the mobo is on the qvl of the ram, but the ram is not on the qvl of the mobo, so im sure the mobo qvl just isnt as vast as it should be. I believe i ruled out the ram so far since i ran memtest on them one by one in a different computer and they both passed with no errors. I believe its safe to say its not the ram. (especially since each ram stick fails the exact same way as the other or with both.) I am about to go to a friends to try swapping cpu's (i do not ave another socket 1155 in this house) and i will come back with the results. i highly doubt my mobo is the problem.. i really dont want it to be cause i like the mobo 😄 and the thought of returning my "new" one for a refurb urks me. More to follow...

[Kubinb12]

Its the processor... popped it into my friends computer with his working setup. Bam did the same ****... really Intel?