Gladiator Z68 BSOD, freezes etc - HELP !

[Jed]

I am a fairly experienced system builder, and have just got a Gladiator Z68A-GD80 (B3) i7-2600K bundle - and I'm having real probs. I installed it using -

Antec 300 case with 5 fans
Artic 700W psu
new SATA HDD + DVD
using onboard GFX
Windows 7 Ultimate x64

I've connected the 4+4 and the 6 pin 12V rails

BIOS says 4.6GHz 45 deg C

the probs started when I installed the drivers from the CD

chipset driver > restart > BSOD

this crash was unrecoverable, so had to reinstall Win 7

VGA driver > crash etc etc

after dozens of hard resets/reinstalls I have finally got W7 running, but it keeps freezing/crashing - even Windows updates makes it crash. As for Cinebench - don't ask.

the BSODs were usually code 124 which I believe is hardware fault although machine check exception was another

Any ideas what I might be doing wrong - or have I just got a bad OC bundle and need to RMA it.

whilst typing this on a 2nd machine, the 2600K has just BSOD twice of its own accord - no load etc.

I haven't changed any BIOS settings apart from boot order.

BTW 18 months ago i bought a Gladiator i7-930 bundle and am well pleased with that

>> all suggestions welcome

[spleenharvester]

Artic 700W psu


Replace that with something decent and you're good to go.

[gbh4]

Replace that with something decent and you're good to go.

So you are saying he has a faulty PSU and that is causing the BSODs?

[NickCPC]

When I get 0x124 it's usually an unstable overclock on my 2500K. Might be worth calling up CS and asking if you can tweak the BIOS (probably need a raise vcore by a smidge) and still have your warranty covered, or whether it will need RMAing in order to not void the warranty.

Sorry to hear about the problems with your bundle though, glad you're pleased with the 930 one still :)

[Spaceboy]

My first step on this would be to remove the overclock and see if stability returns... it's the easiest step and the first thing to rule out imo.

Go into the BIOS and load the defaults... don't worry, the ARIA overclock profile should be saved to one of the BIOS profiles but might be worth double checking so you can reload the overclock if need be.

The other thing I'd look at is temperatures. I've heard of cpu coolers coming loose in transit due to clumsy couriers... might be something to look at if the cooler has come loose and the temps are causing the BSOD's. Although by the sound of it I'd definately be suspect of the overclock first.

[Jed]

Thanks for your replies. I have tried the following -

run as OC in safe mode - no crashes

run as optimised defaults ie no OC - no crashes

reinstalled Windows @ standard speed - no probs

with new Windows activated the 'OC Genie' button on mobo (raises cpu to 4.2 GHz) - no probs

in fact I'm typing this msg on the 2600K right now - not poss before.

As for the Artic 700W - I use one with my 930, and thought it would be powerful enough.

When you think that most people install Windows - then do the OC, I was wondering if I should have installed @ standard speed, then loaded the Aria profile. All the BSODs during install esp drivers could have left me with some flakey files.

Now I have W7 stable, might try loading the Aria profile and if prob returns will ring tech support.

[Jed]

re last post

with my now stable W7 (installed at standard speed) I turned off the mobo OC genie and reloaded Aria OC profile - everything now working @ full speed ! I guess my theory of a bad W7 install due to BSODs could be correct.

Anyhow have just run Cinebench x64 with no probs, score 8.92 pts (i7-930 got 6.45 pts)

I guess it just remains to apologise to the Gladiator crew for suggesting they sent me a badly setup board.

[Spaceboy]

Glad to hear it :thumb:

Still rather odd, but at least it's sorted now :)

[Jed]

everything still OK, but one question -

do I really need the pci-e 6 pin 12V mobo connector hooked up, since I am using Intel onboard graphics ? The only pci-e in use is a Blackgold HDTV card (note to Aria - start selling them, they're brilliant)

[spleenharvester]

So you are saying he has a faulty PSU and that is causing the BSODs?

Quite possibly. Even if it's not causing the BSoDs it should be replaced.

I personally think it could be playing a part, I've seen 0x124s caused by bad PSUs before.

[Jed]

4 weeks on and everything still ok with my i7-2600k bundle

I decided to ditch the idea of using Virtu, installed a HD 5770 gfx card and now C4D + HDTV are working fine on that card.

BTW I took the advice offered and replaced my psu with a Coolermaster GX 750W that has all the 12V, SATA and molex you could ever need - prev psu needed splitters/adaptors etc.

- info just incase I left the impression I was not a satisfied customer

[andyn]

Thanks for the update, glad it's all working. Always worth spending a reasonable amount on a quality PSU :)