SOLVED Z87X-OC - Extremely long windows splash screen - Code A0 ( IDE startup ).

[Boulard83]

Hi guyz

I just put together my new haswell rig and i have an issue with an extremly long "windows starting splash screen" ( the black one with the logo ). The board stay on the code A0 for about 4 or 5 minutes before booting into windows normally. Everything is working perfectly, my SSD's are in AHCI mode and into windows i can stress test everything including the SSD and nothing is failing. Even the 2 SSD's report correct alignment and speed.

Into the bios, i can lock the Boot and Device state into Legacy or UEFI, or into "both mode" while asking for legacy or UEFI first. I try many configuration of these settings and nothing changed, i still get a very long splash screen. The ONLY way i get a correct boot is when i reset CMos. As soon as i change a single setting like only adjust my memory to spec, BAM i get this very long A0 code on splash screen.

I posted on the Gigabyte FR forum ( im french from quebec/canada ) but there are like 5 active user on the forum .... i dont even know if there are real gigabyte staff visiting this forum.

I Hope you guyz have an answer for me. I will fill a gigabyte support ticket if i dont get it sorted fast. Hope they can fix it if it's a bios issue.

Spec
Windows 7 x64 pro ( legit )
Gigabyte Z87X-OC
I7 4770k + PH-TC14PE
2x8gb ballistix 1600mhz CAS 8
Zotac GTX 780
Corsair HX750
2x Agility 4 256gb
LG sata cd/dvd
Tecnofront HWD BenchTable
3x **** VE278Q 5760x1080

The only new parts ( "not know good" ) are the motherboard/CPU/Memory. ALL other parts are "know good" on my last X79 setup.

The memory passed 2 memtest pass. Once i'm booted into windows, i can stresstest the CPU/Ram/board with usual prog and nothing fail, CPU temp in the mid 60s at 4.3ghz, currently back to stock speed ( cleared Cmos ), only my Memory is manualed.

I even unplugged the DVD/CD, only had my 2 SSD's at boot and had same issue.

 

[EarthDog]

Have you done a reinstall of the OS to the SSD or was this copied from Z77/X79?

 

[Boulard83]

No all fresh install. Both SSD cleaned and reconfirmed to be well aligned after install with AS SSD. ( confirmed speed numbers too ).

 

[EarthDog]

Tried updating the bios?

 

[Boulard83]

There are no new bios yet from gigabyte

 

[EarthDog]

If it has a dual bios, have you tried the other? Try reflashing anyway? ANd try posting in the non French Giga forums where there is activity...?

 

[Boulard83]

If it has a dual bios, have you tried the other? Try reflashing anyway? ANd try posting in the non French Giga forums where there is activity...?

I think this will be my next try before filling a ticket at gigabyte.com.

At last, once i'm into windows everything is 100% normal. It's just anoying to have a ~5min boot on an all SSD rig with high end gears

 

[EarthDog]

There is an application, I forget what it is called, but it shows all the things that are happening in the boot process and their times. That would be helpful if I could figure out the name, LOL.

 

[Boulard83]

Weirdly enough, after updating windows 7 to SP1 it seems to be corrected.

Also, finally found that i had bios F3 and they have F4 out. I flashed to F4 after all.

 

[EarthDog]

So what did it? I assume the flash?

 

[Boulard83]

No, it booted correctly a few times after SP1 update ...

I flashed to F4 right after all the update reboot was done.

 

[EarthDog]

Weird. Must be a board thing? None of my OS's on haswell have SP1 on them..

 

[Boulard83]

Weird. Must be a board thing? None of my OS's on haswell have SP1 on them..

I know. But it's fine now ! Will see next time i format if it does the same thing !

 

[Xeon_KI]

I did not have this problem after installing win7, no sp 1.
Very weird!

 

[Boulard83]

I did not have this problem after installing win7, no sp 1.
Very weird!

indeed !

Now working on my clocks 4.5ghz will be my 24/7

 

[Woomack]

http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/28441-gigabyte-latest-beta-bios.html
Here you have beta BIOSes. F5h and F5i are much better than official ones. Today I saw there is also F5l but I didn't try it yet. There is like 15 beta versions after that posted on gigabyte site so I have no idea why there is no official F5 released as F3/F4 are really bad.

 

[ChanceCoats123]

Yeah, expect some bugs here and there until the troubleshooting with the Bios is finished. Glad to see you got it worked out.

 

[Boulard83]

Thanks for the support guyz ! ill put an eye on this !!!!!

Currently running AIDA at 4.5ghz with 1.305vcore. Was crashing below this in under 1 or 2 minutes. IM now on my 5th minutes of stress test. Temp remain in the high 60s, mid 70s. some quick peak at 85-90 No throtling yet.

 

[Woomack]

Throttling will start at about 100*C package temp or when you set too high voltage. For some reason my cpu isn't working above 1.65V no matter what temps. 5GHz on ss cooling looks pretty sad.

 

[Boulard83]

Throttling will start at about 100*C package temp or when you set too high voltage. For some reason my cpu isn't working above 1.65V no matter what temps. 5GHz on ss cooling looks pretty sad.

Sad