jbarradale
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Purchased in 2008, built it myself. No problems ever till now. Started with Windows XP and upgraded to Windows 7. Recently during a backup, great timing, the backup stopped working. C drive was getting full, and I wanted to remove stuff. I was making a backup to save data. I suspected because of long use and nearly full, as it happens often, the drive was the failure. Purchased a Seagate Barracuda 2TB and proceeded to install Windows 7 Pro. It went almost all the way through. It stopped after entering all the information, date and name and such. Let it run for an hour or so. Rebooted and started install again. This time it stopped earlier. I tried repeatedly and it would stop at an earlier point each time. Now it starts, loading windows file, black screen with the words "Starting Windows" but without the logo. I left the side of the PC case open so I could see the POST display. It says code FF.
I ran a lot of diagnostic tools, "Hiren's CD", and "Ultimate Boot CD". I tested the memory and hard drive with no errors found. Tried to run a few CPU tests, also no errors. I removed the motherboard, blew out dust, reconnected wires, left off any other disks such as a second CDROM. Also bought a new DVD in case it was not reading. I also burned more copies of the setup iso in case that was the problem. I tried turning off things in BIOS, reset it to factory, used the pins on the motherboard to clear CMOS.
I am considering buying a new motherboard/cpu, but I would prefer to absolutely know what part is failing.
Are there more tools to diagnose the motherboard without using Windows, as there is no OS installed yet? duh?
EVGA nForce 790i SLI Ultra, Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz, 8 GB RAM DDR3-1333, NVidia GeForce 550ti graphics card.
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bob16314
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Re: EVGA 790i SLI Ultra Finally Failing
2020/01/27 09:16:01
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I may be wrong, but I don't think 2TB+ drives will work as a Boot/OS drive (BIOS limitation) unless maybe it's partioned into smaller drives with different drive letters, which you can do during Windows install (you can search how to do that). What drive did you have before that worked?..Have a smaller drive to try? As far as Post Code FF goes, FF before or during POST indicates a problem..FF after POST is normal and is "Fully Functional" as we like to say. Here are some EVGA FAQs about the 790i such as Why is my high capacity 2TB+ Drive not listed correctly in the BIOS? and others.
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jbarradale
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Re: EVGA 790i SLI Ultra Finally Failing
2020/01/28 08:17:38
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Well, that would explain it then. I thought the drive had quit. Western Digital 1.0 TB. So, perhaps I will attempt to partition the drive into two partitions and then see. The problem is though, that the system stopped working with the 1 TB drive in it and I thought it was bad. I have just purchased a Dock and I can access the data fine on my laptop. I suspect the CPU or power supply. I am going to check voltages, but I cannot find what the voltages should be on the motherboard. I have the main power supply voltages for the connector and will check those when I find my meter.
Thank you.
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rjohnson11
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Re: EVGA 790i SLI Ultra Finally Failing
2020/01/28 10:34:26
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Maybe you read some of the data but not all of the data on the old drive. I suggest you do a chkdsk command on the old disk to check for issues.
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rjohnson11
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Re: EVGA 790i SLI Ultra Finally Failing
2020/01/28 10:45:45
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jbarradale
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Re: EVGA 790i SLI Ultra Finally Failing
2020/01/29 05:23:14
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Ran checkdisk, found a whopping 4K in bad sectors. Drive was not at fault. Checking power supply next. Checked the power supply, all voltages are good. I am getting more upset. Every time I check something it passes and is okay. The CPU is the only thing I have not been able to check. I replaced the CMOS battery, as it was a little low, but that should not prevent it from booting up. Memtest ran for more than 6 hours with no errors found.
post edited by jbarradale - 2020/01/29 08:40:38
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rjohnson11
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Re: EVGA 790i SLI Ultra Finally Failing
2020/02/01 05:44:35
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Did you partition your new drive and then try the smaller partition? If the problem during install occurs again disconnect all drives except for the system drive and try one stick of ram only.
post edited by rjohnson11 - 2020/02/01 06:07:55
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jbarradale
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Re: EVGA 790i SLI Ultra Finally Failing
2020/02/03 17:21:54
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I tried the original disk, 1 TB. I did partition the 2 TB drive several times. I removed one pair of RAM. I gave up and ordered a new motherboard and cpu. i7 this time. Thank you for the suggestions.
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rjohnson11
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Re: EVGA 790i SLI Ultra Finally Failing
2020/02/03 23:30:15
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jbarradale
I tried the original disk, 1 TB. I did partition the 2 TB drive several times. I removed one pair of RAM. I gave up and ordered a new motherboard and cpu. i7 this time. Thank you for the suggestions.
The i7 will be an awesome upgrade. Game on!
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