New Beast Won't Boot - Error "C0"

Oipjo

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May 23, 2014
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I've just purchased $3k worth of new gaming loot - installed it over past 2 days (work and everything else); now I have completed the job!!! I've gone to boot and getting error code: C0 displayed on the Motherboard.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 7
CPU: Intel Core i7-4770k + "AS5"
GPU: Geforce GTX 780ti 3GB GDDR5
RAM: G.Skill 16GB Sniper 1600mHz (2x8)
PSU: Corsair 1000W modular
Cooling: Corsair H100i Liquid (CPU); 5x Noctua fans + 2 stock (Coolermaster)
HDD: SanDisk Extreme II 512GB SSD
Case: CM Stormtrooper

The error shows as "C0" on the motherboard LCD monitor ~5 seconds into boot and then powers down to reset itself. All fans operational; Corsair logo on Liquid cooling unit lights up; Motherboard lights up like a Christmas tree - but no luck in achieving display or audiable boot noise. Have removed all peripherals and tried to no avail. Manual says "C0" is "Reserved" as an error code which doesn't help me and I can't find the solution online.

I've built before - though liquid cooling is new to me! Hope that's all okay - as it is potentially my only out of the norm concern! Hope someone can assist and kick some life into this machine! :)

Thanks! :)
 
Solution
Checked manual and Google the world and your right, Gigabyte being really helpful.

Is your motherboard not the GA-Z97X-Gaming 7?

Closest I could come would be .. "C0 CPU status flag test, CPU register test, memory refresh test"

So try reseating CPU

Almost came across a couple of post about the board may need a BIOS flash to support later CPU's, the 4770K needs v.F5
Checked manual and Google the world and your right, Gigabyte being really helpful.

Is your motherboard not the GA-Z97X-Gaming 7?

Closest I could come would be .. "C0 CPU status flag test, CPU register test, memory refresh test"

So try reseating CPU

Almost came across a couple of post about the board may need a BIOS flash to support later CPU's, the 4770K needs v.F5
 
Solution

Oipjo

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May 23, 2014
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Sorry - that is correct; as computer builds go I was trying to put the breath of life in at 1am my time and usually asleep by 9pm. I've cleared CMOS - Hesitant to re-seat CPU as I've got the fit perfect with thermal application but will give it a shot and see how I go!
 

Oipjo

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May 23, 2014
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I've pulled the RAM and it started on just one! Now I have another pickle to pick. Both my RAM sticks are functional - however I can only use the last 2 slots... I have tested both in the last slot individually and they run - though neither runs individually in the first two. Ideal setup is as follows:

[×][ ][×][ ]
OR
[ ][×][ ][×]

Mine only is working as:
[ ][ ][×][ ]
OR
[ ][ ][ ][×]

I'm still playing around and trying to figure this out. If RAM is in first two slots I go back to "C0" error.
 

Oipjo

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May 23, 2014
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Got everything up and running! Didnt have to remove processor - man its quick; and that BIOS screen looks so good!!! Woohoo! Still having the RAM issue but thats another story. Thanks for your help! :)

Currently Running RAM as - [ ][ ][×][×]
 

Oipjo

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May 23, 2014
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Hi Jamie, glad to help if I can amd will post here should it help anyone else. So further to my problem, I couldn't configure my RAM correctly as 2 sticks wouldn't run in the same channel.

I did some further investigation and did end up removing the CPU. With careful inspection of the motherboard CPU socket I found that 2 of the lesser value pins were slightly bent. Fixed them up with surgeon steady hands and a tweezer. Reloaded CPU and no luck to boot. Removed it again to see if I had missed any pins, same ones were bent. Checked my processor and found the CPU was actually bent on the corner... Called up my supplier and we had good laugh at my misfortune, took it in the following day to comments that "they had never seen this before", it wasn't damage by input because the whole thing was bent to an angle of almost 5-10° on the corner, blaming intels newest production lines possibly being lower quality and requiring execssive luck for a "lucky chip"... Got my new CPU and put it in; everything worked! RAM could be configured in any slot and all wad well.

Actually replaced my H100i liquid cooling too because temps were around 60°C idle and nearing 100 on load. Now running a cool 25° idle and 60-65° load repsectively.

Now my GTX780ti is starting with coil whine and on rare occasion (3-4 hours into game) shows no display for 2-3 seconds thpugh temps be fine. Next one to RMA I think.

TL:DR - check your processor pins for any bent/lint or foreign objects on the pins - perhaps thermal paste on the underside of the CPU - check your CPU is straight too I guess?

Goodluck! If this helps let me know or add to this with further solutions if you come across them as this may help others too!
 

Oipjo

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May 23, 2014
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FYI - Via PM we checked Jamie's CPU pins and found two were slightly bent; this was causing the error. If you are experiencing the c0 error when trying to boot to this motherboard, please ensure the pin connections in the CPU are all straight. I was unfortunate and my processor chip was actually bent to several degree's. RMA'd via Intel and it runs perfectly now. Same goes for RAM configurations failing to boot - ensure pins are all correctly aligned in the CPU. Hope this helps someone! :)

Kind Regards,
 

habit04

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Aug 28, 2014
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Thanks for all the info! Mine was displaying the same C0 error code. I started pulling the RAM one by one, and found it booted up without this one installed. So it worked with 3 of the stick in any slot, just not with this one. So I have a bad RAM stick, will send it back and get a new one.
Im running 4 sticks, 8GB each, crucial sport sticks.

System currently running perfect still short the single stick for now, gotta return etc...

Thanks again Oipjo, your info def helped me!
 

Oipjo

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May 23, 2014
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No worries Habit - I found it so frustrating at the time, Gigabyte support were useless - I have forwarded them the solution so hopefully they can re-direct customers; very glad you found this link and it helped you, and thank you for taking the time to post! ;)

If you receive your new RAM stick and that too is not working; make sure all pins on the underside of the CPU are all perfectly aligned as some of the lesser value pins may still allow the computer to run; but interrupt some of the connections - in my particularly unlucky experience the CPU head itself was bent and as a result there was no way to line it up straight!

Been using the computer for around 3 months now; going great! Also RMA'd my Gigabyte Windforce GTX780ti OC Ed. and upgrade to a EVGA GTX780ti ACX - Far out that is a marvelous piece of technology!!! :ouch:
 

preecey

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Sep 9, 2014
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I had this error to I found a bent pin on the CPU socket so I moved it back in to place very carefully with some tweezers (do at own risk as you may void the warranty if yo damage it further) but it works fine now.