OS will not start

[Darkdiablo]

I am using the 680i SLI motherboard. When I press F1 to start windows normally, it goes to the loading windows screen with the load bar but after a few seconds the system just restarts back into the bios. also, the LED diagnostic code reads 7F before I press F1 and then FF while it trys to load windows, I do not know what this means. I am using my old hardrive with windows XP on it. The pc recognizes the HDD, in SATA Channel 1

Can anyone help?

[zachig]

In general, the 7F post-code-error, is "a post error check", meaning that during POST the BIOS found a problem...generally a hardware problem (i.e. loose connections, power not plugged into the mobo somewhere, stick of RAM gone bad, etc...). :???:

I would advice you to reseat all your cards inside you case. mainyl the Video Card and RAM.
Regarding the RAM, maybe one of your RAM moduels gone bad...:frown: So...Try with only 1-stick of RAM at a time, also try in different slots.

Did it work before? Did you make any changes to you system lately? :roll:

It might be also a possible insufficient power...Which brand and model of power supply are you using? :roll:

Also check for possible short-circuit from motherboard to case...:???:

Sorry, but I guess we need more information :frown:, hope this helps...:icon_tiphat:

[Darkdiablo]

well I am just putting together a pc for the first time so I am all new to this, im using:


core 2 quad Q6600
thermaltake 700w PSU
4 x 1gb Gskillz 800 mHz RAM
using old video card right now, x1650 pro


I will try using 1 stick at a time for each of the RAM sticks, in different slots too

[Darkdiablo]

each stick of RAM I tried gets the same 7F, I tried in each slot with the same 7F, i tried the video card in the other PCI-E slot, still 7F

anything else I can do?

[werty316]

Try powering on your motherboard outside of your case to rule out any shorts.
Try clearing the CMOS too.

[zachig]

Hmmm...let's see:

1) You have a quite powerfull PSU, so I guess it's not the PSU, unless...you forgot to connect its additional 4pin (or is it 8pin??? :redface:) Power to the motherboard. I think there's an additional Power Connection from the PSU that connects to the motherboard except the 24pin connection. :roll:

2) Did you verify that your motherboard BIOS is up-to-date, or at least support the Q6600 Quad-Core CPU.
You might need to flash a newer version of the BIOS, so it'll support the Q6600. :-?

You didn't specify which motherboard you have? Which model/brand exactly? Can you also specify the BIOS version?

3) You can also check it your RAM is working properly on your mobo (maybe it's not fully-compatible), by running MemTest86.

Maybe even with one stick, you're having memory problems and/or memory errors.

If you don't know MemTest86, it's a small program which runs in DOS mode. You just need to "Google" for it and then download an Image of it, burn it to a CD or DVD and then start you PC while booting from the CD/DVD drive and the test/s will start running...

4) Did you try to "Load Default Settings" to the BIOS?

Hope this helps...;-)

If you have further questions, don't hesitate...:icon_tiphat:

And if there are some more members than can help and/or have any idea, feel free to help the poor guy...;-)

[Darkdiablo]

i have the xfx nforce 680i SLI mobo, not the LT, i took the mobo out and set it on top of the anti-static bag it came in and Im still getting the 7F, i guess theres no short, i also tried clearing the cmos, still have 7F

im not sure if the bios is up to date or how to update it, it says Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG at the top

[zachig]

im not sure if the bios is up to date or how to update it, it says Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG at the top
I think you have #### number like: 0604, right after "AwardBIOS v6.00PG", something like "AwardBIOS v6.00PG 0703"...:roll:

Anyway, I would advice you to open a "support ticket" over XFX website and then, probably xfxsupport (the guy from XFX who's a member here in the forums and gives GREAT support to XFX customers who are members of Bjorn3D) will be able to help you out...;-)

I would try to contact him directly as well (just PM, I mean send him a Private Message) here in the forums to come over to your thread and try to offer help, in case he somehow missed your thread/post...;-) (where are you xfxsupport??? :lol:)

[Darkdiablo]

I think you have #### number like: 0604, right after "AwardBIOS v6.00PG", something like "AwardBIOS v6.00PG 0703"...:roll:

nope, no number after it, just a release number below

[Scott]

See if you can try a different vendors RAM. The problem could be the RAM wants more than 1.8Volts. The default is 1.8 and you may have to up the voltage. But you need a stick that will run at 1.8V.

[Darkdiablo]

on the box the RAM says 2.0~2.1V, the mobo has it set to 2.1 v, this should work right?

[werty316]

Yes, along with the correct ram voltage make sure you are running them at their stock timings too.

[Darkdiablo]

yep, on the box it says 4-4-4-12, which is what the mobo is set to

[Darkdiablo]

any tech support online to help?

[xfxsupport]

When you say "old hard drive" you mean one you have had, but you reformatted when you got the new mobo right? The motherboard should set the voltages to what the RAM needs (between 1.8 and 2.1 if I am not mistaken). Does this happen when you try only one stick of RAM in different slots?

[werty316]

If you are using a hard-drive was used on another motherboard before you got the 680i LT you need to do a freash install of XP.

[Darkdiablo]

oh, no I didnt know u had to reformat the HDD...theres alot of stuff I need to learn =p

thanks for the help

[zachig]

If you are using a hard-drive was used on another motherboard before you got the 680i LT you need to do a freash install of XP.
EXACTLY!!! I thought it was obvious, that's why I didn't think of it and didn't offer it as a solution. :redface:

I do hope that you know that you need to reformat and reinstall the OS in case you replaced your motherboard...:ahhhhh:

That my explain the whole story...;-)

[bigfoot]

Hi for that mobo its the third line down and is the release number which should read
691N9P31 hope this helps

[Xero (1)ne]

The 7F error could be because a floppy drive isn't found, try disabling the floppy drive in the bios. Don't worry about the FF code because mine stays that way after the POST has gone by.

[zachig]

Hi guys!

I think there's no point in posting/replying in this thread as it already "died" as darkdiablo last replied on Oct. 30...

[XFXTechSupport]

While this post is dead, ill still post some useful information to add to Xero's.

The 7F error basically calls for user intervention. So as Xero indicated, if you dont have a floppy connected and its looking for a floppy it will give you that post code, meaning the system is waiting for you to press F1 to continue anyways. It will display that code unless you turn off error reporting in BIOS or fix the error.

FF does mean all is well and the motherboard isn't detecting anything wrong.

[asterasy]

Yea... I don't really understand why this was dug up.

[Xero (1)ne]

Bigfoot posted then I didn't check the dates. My bad. :redface: