Please help!

[CM94]

I've posted this problem on Tom's Hardware Store forum and no one has much more idea than me. If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated! I have recently built a new PC with the following specs:

 

New CPU: i5 4690K 3.5GHz 
New Mobo: Gigabyte Z97P-D3 Intel LGA1150 Z97 ATX Motherboard Rev 1.0
Old GPU: R9 280X HIS IceQ(2) Boost (PCIe 3.0 compatible)
Old HDD: Samsung HD103SJ
Old PSU: Corsair 750W CX750, Non-Modular
Old RAM: Komputerbay 8 GB (2x4GB)
Old Optical Drive

 

In the above build the PSU was used in my older build but was recently acquired (original broke and got a new, recent replacement). Before getting to the problems,  things to note are that:

- I have cleared the CMOS and got new replacements for the Motherboard and CPU to no avail.

- all my older parts work fine with my older Motherboard and CPU.

 

I have the following two problems, not sure if they are linked or individual:

 

(1) My PC does not see to detect my HDD. I have changed the SATA port, SATA cable, power connector and changed between AHCI, IDE and RAID to no avail (also as mentioned above, works perfectly in the old system). However when I connect the HDD after the PC has booted, it switches on and can be detected (indicated by when I try to clean install Windows and the BIOS registering it). 

(2) When the PCIe slot is set to "Auto" or "Gen 3" and the HDMI cable plugged into the GPU, my computer does not display anything on the screen and after around 15 seconds, it restarts. It then repeats this until I manual switch it off. However it works when I set to the PCIe slot to "Gen 2" (i.e. PCIe 2.0) or the GPU is not plugged in and the HDMI plugged into the Motherboard. This is really odd as my GPU is PCIe 3.0 compatible and clearly, is the Auto setting.

 

I know that my RAM is faulty as when I run it at it's rated latency and speed, I get a metric-f***-tonne of errors with memtest86+, but when I set at higher latency and lower speeds it works with no errors and works on my old system. However, even if my faulty RAM was not working in the new system, I wouldn't have thought that this would be causing the two above issues.

 

What could be causing this????

 

 

My current train of thought is that my PSU, for some odd reason, can't supply the correct voltages on boot with my new system but can with my old one. However the PSU is relatively new, like the Motherboard and CPU... The other option is that the faulty RAM is somehow affecting the system or by some ridiculous bout of unluckiness, received another faulty Motherboard.  My current plan of action is as follows, but it may take awhile:

 

(1) Borrow a PSU from a reluctant friend (rating above 500W) and see what happens.

(2) RMA/borrow RAM and see what happens.

(3) Mentally crumble and be admitted to a psychiatric ward. 

(4) Sell and start again... I really hope I don't have to do this lol

 

 

Any help would be incredibly appreciated! Cheers in advance!

[Enderman]

it seems like your ram is unstable at its rated speed...

you should return it and buy a new kit

 

put your GPU on PCIe 2.0

there is no reason to put it at 3.0 because there is no performance difference

 

and finally check your HDD for errors
and make sure its plugged into a native intel controller SATA port on your motherboard, not a 3rd party controller port (these should be indicated on your motherboard manual)

[CM94]

Yeah I definitely will return the RAM and ready to send it off but was hoping to fix these other issues first.

 

Really? I thought there was a reasonable quantifiable difference, especially with newer games. However if it comes down to it, it's better than nothing at all!

 

Ran a HDD test awhile ago and came with on errors. I'll do that and double check it Also checked the manual and there doesn't seem be be any mention of Native Intel SATA Port and there is no indication that there are and differences between all the SATA Ports in any other aspect. Got the Integrated Controller Enabled too as even the optical drive wouldn't be detected then.

[CM94]

Tested the HDD and no errors where found. However on the Health Status tab of "HD Tune" is has Failed the "Spin Up time". Is this enough of a problem for it not to be detected in the new system?

[Beltboy]

Tested the HDD and no errors where found. However on the Health Status tab of "HD Tune" is has Failed the "Spin Up time". Is this enough of a problem for it not to be detected in the new system?

 

Yes, in-fact it exactly explains the issue your having. The drive is spinning up too slowly on boot so doesn't respond quickly enough and the mobo times out looking for it, the quicker the new hardware the quicker it wants everything to respond.

 

if you power it up separately it spins up and can be detected, if you restart without powering down its already spinning and so detected.

[CM94]

Ah right so my old motherboard expects slower spin up times and so it gives it enough to detect it while my new motherboard expects it to spin-up faster before stopping looking for devices.  

 

So I basically just need to get a new HDD/SSD. If I get a new, small SSD and put my main programmes on is there anyway to salvage my old HDD and use it to store files or just scrap it completely? Also any idea on the PCIe slot conundrum?

 

Thanks so much for the reply! Sounds like it could be the issue

[Beltboy]

I'd say fix the RAM issue and the HDD issue then check if the PCI works, I would expect that faulty RAM would affect the PCI lanes and potentially cause this maybe.

 

There comes a point when you can't diagnose some issues till you fix the ones you know about

[CM94]

Sweet, I'll send the RAM off to be replaced and get a new HDD

 

Cheers for all the help

[CM94]

No need to get a new HDD!!

 

I did a bit more research into "Spin up Time" errors on my specific HDD (Samsung HD103SJ) and drifted onto topics about a bug in the firmware causing compatibility with some motherboard (the AMD SB850 chipset and the Intel P67/H67 chipset). This could result in either clunky or loud drivers, poor performance or drive not being detected in the BIOS. The latter is what I've been having issues with and the Z97 is just the newer and more sophisticated version on the P67/H67. So created I a bootable USB with old system, transferred the application to it and ran the patch exe. file. Then set up my new system... and hey presto! It is being detected!!! Switched it on and off a couple of times so hopefully this is permanent!

 

Only took me 1.5 months; extra £30; replacement of my Motherboard and CPU; lots and lots of messing around; clean installing and a metric-tonne of googling but I finally solved it! Just need to RMA the RAM and see if that solves the PCIe 3.0 issue and if not, I'm beyond caring lol, as long as it works!

 

Cheers Beltboy for pointing me in the right direction