Computer rebooting with dual core and hyperthreading enabled but can boot into safe mode or with Single core and HT disabled

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raghuanu

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Jan 11, 2015
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I had some components that I had bought 2-3 years ago and decided to put it together for a spare computer.
Here are the components:
MB: Gigabyte P67A UD3 B3
CPU: i3 2100 3.1Ghz
Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD6450 Graphics card
XFX 550W PS
G Skill DDR3 1333 2X 4GB
Seagate 2GB and others (see below)

I tried to install Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit and Windows XP Professional. Both are genuine multi-use disks. I boot from the CD/DVD, the OS files load OK, and the computer restarts to install them, and right at the windows 7 logo the computer shuts down and restarts. WIth XP install it shuts down and restarts at half way point when it says 'installing devices'. I have tried numerous times and it happens at the same spot. I have not once been able to install the OS completely.

So I connected a different hard drive with Windows 7 already installed on it (from a different computer), and the same thing happens--it just restarts at windows logo. I tried another hard drive with XP installed on it, and it does the same thing--restarts right after XP logo. However I was able to load the OS in safe mode on both XP and Windows 7 when I used the hard drives that already had OS installed on them.

Here is what I have done so far
--Tried all BIOS versions from F2 to F9 which is the latest.
--Cleared CMOS, removed the CMOS battery for 24 hours
--Tried a different empty hard drive.
--Tried a old Radeon 3650 video card
--Tried a different OCZ 450 power supply
--Tried one stick of RAM in each of the different slots
--Changed the SATA cables
--Tried every SATA port on the motherboard
--Tried this G Skill RAM, Video card (HD6450), XFX power supply and the CPU on another computer and they all work fine.

So based on this, I think the problem lies in the motherboard. However what I don't understand is that I can boot into safe mode when using the drive with OS already installed. My guess is that during the normal windows boot or during a fresh install the windows doesn't like something on the MB and reboots. Only other thing I am thinking of is to try a non-radeon graphics card which I don't have. I read on several forums and reviews that this MB has problems with reboot cycle, and I am not sure if this is it. But then it should not boot into safe-mode too.

Any help is appreciated.



 
Solution
helpstar
It really looks like that your Mainboard is defective.

Mainly Multitasking will be slower, but in general for only Internet, office, some videos, you won´t recognize it.

Test it yourself
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helpstar

helpstar

Titan
Dec 25, 2012
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Try Beta BIOS "U1D", which is the latest

Are the Pins of the CPU Socket on the Mainboard bent or scorched?

Did you install a CPU cooler?

Is the video card in the upper PCIe Slot?

Try booting up with a linux live cd, when this works, it´s driver problem

Boot with memtest86+ to test RAM
 
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raghuanu

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Jan 11, 2015
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Helpstar, The pins are not bent. Yes I have a cooler installed. If pins were the problem, it should not boot into safe mode I guess.
I tried installing the video card in both slots. I booted with Hiren's Boot CF and works fine. Will try Linux boot cd. Will try the memtest also. For some reason the U1D BIOS cannot install--Says failed without any explanation.
 
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raghuanu

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Jan 11, 2015
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"When updating from legacy to UEFI, use only the utility attached to your BIOS file"...I don't know what exactly this means, but I cannot update it to UEFI. Anyway I don't suspect that is the problem

I ran Memtest many times and RAM came out normal. I could boot with the Linux CD, tried all options on Ultimate Boot CD. Like I said I can boot into safe mode into both Win XP and Windows 7, but when I try to do a fresh install of these OS or boot from the hard drive with OS already installed it just keeps rebooting at windows logo.
I suspect there is something in the BIOS that does not work when booting normally.

There is another thread here http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/68838-63-keeps-restarting-starting-windows-screen#15034632 that has a similar problem, but I am not sure if the OP ever got a solution.
 
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synphul

synphul

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Mar 11, 2011
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You may want to double check that your first boot device is your cdrom and put the install disc in, then reboot. At the very least it should ask if you want to make a repair, aka access and acknowledge the os disc before booting straight to the desktop. Just trying to suggest the things I would try when trouble shooting.
 
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helpstar

helpstar

Titan
Dec 25, 2012
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made some brainstormng:

The 8-PIN ATX12V power connector is plugged into the mainboard and not just 4Pins?

Try the components outside the case.
Just CPU, cooler with fan (CPU_FAN), Mainboard, HDD (in SATA3_0, after that install in sata2_2), PSU, graphics card, one RAM, plug in Mouse and keyboard in USB2.0 ports near PS/2 connector

Disable Onboard USB 3.0 Controller (Renesas) in BIOS

Power up PC, get into the BIOS -> PC Health. Read temperatures after 20min in BIOS.
Is the CPU fan spinning?

Look up event manager under safe mode in windows, any problems logged there?

BIOS battery is correctly installed, so you can see the "plus" symbol?

Do you use a Windows7 with service pack 1 installation medium?
Change AHCI to IDE and try to install win7 again


Still BIOS/UEFI update could be the solution:

download Ultimate BIOS-Boot-Edition:
http://www.biosflash.com/e/download.htm?id=25&dl=bios/ubbe.zip (source site: http://www.biosflash.com/e/bios-boot-usb-stick.htm)

extract the zip to your hard drive
open folder BOOT_USB_Stick

"Start the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool.
Select your USB-Stick under Device.
Choose FAT-32 under File system and activate the check mark Create a DOS startup disk.
Insert the path to your usbdos folder under using DOS system files located at.
Press the Start button and wait until the tool has formatted the USB-Stick and has copied the 3 system files."

then copy all files from the extracted exe of your BIOS (autoexec, efiflash, BIOSfile) directly to th USB stick

boot from the Stick

 
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raghuanu

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Jan 11, 2015
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I was able to install the UEFI BIOS, but the problem persisted. Yes, 8 pin is plugged in. The temp in the BIOS reads max 42C

My gut feeling was there was something wrong with the BIOS. So I just started changing the BIOS settings one at a time. Luckily I started with the CPU frequency settings and I think I was able to identify the problem, but not the solution.
I changed CPU core to 1 (instead of 2) and Hyperthreading Disabled. THE COMPUTER BOOTED NORMALLY!!
I ran the Intel diagnostic utility and the CPU passed without any problems. However it was able to see only one core. CPU-Z also shows 1 core. CPU temp monitor shows temp around 40C with normal usage. I was able to install all drivers and go online and download updates. The computer worked fine now.

I think the reason why it was booting in safe mode, and with all boot CDs is, per what I read, is that safe mode and boot CDs use only one core to boot up.
Now I tried to go back and change it to dual core with hyperthreading disabled, and tried single core with hyperthreading enabled but won't boot. I tried this several times to make sure. So basically it boots only if CPU is set to single core and HT disabled. I tried to increase the Vcore voltage in steps from 1.160 all the way to 1.3, reduced the frequency from 3.1GHZ to 2GHZ (lowest) but no luck. Then I tried the CPU in my other computer and all softwares--CPUZ, Intel diagnostic utility, and Task Manager shows 2 cores with 4 logical cores. So the CPU itself is fine. This MB in my other computer (ECS brand) however uses only 4 pin CPU power, so don't know if that makes a difference.

I don't know what the solution is for this problem.
I googled about this problem, but seems no one has had this kind of a problem. I came across only one thread here but no solution posted. http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1888802

Debating whether to buy a new MB or just run it with single core and HT disabled. Won't be doing any intense work on this computer.

Now I have updated the Title of this thread too.

Thanks for all your suggestions.
 
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raghuanu

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Jan 11, 2015
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OK. I tried clearing CMOS with a jumper in place for 2 hours.
I tried disabling the USB 3
I tried the case outside of the case.
I tried 3 different PSUs.
Every component I am using works fine with a different motherboard.

I tried changing the numerous combinations in the BIOS, especially the CPU settings but nothing has worked.
The only thing that works is using setting the CPU to single core in BIOS and disabling Hyperthreading.
Does not look like anyone ever had this kind of a problem as a search does not show any such problem addressed anywhere.

Is there going to be a huge speed difference between just using one core vs dual. May be I should get a new MB.
 
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realmrpot

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Jan 27, 2016
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This is an interesting thread, as I've had the same thing happen on a new-build PC. I've upgraded from an old Phenom II to a i7 6700K, and am using a Asus Z170 Pro Gaming motherboard.

The old Phenom system was running windows 10 (upgrade from win 7) on an SSD. I swapped the motherboard, CPU and DDR and it booted fine to windows. But, on my first attempt to shut down windows the system instead rebooted immediately. Since then, it always reboots as soon as the windows logo appears.

The only way to get it to boot is to set the number of cores to 1 in the bios. With this done, the system runs absolutely fine (albeit with just one core).

I've tried reinstalling windows 7 and windows 10, have tried two PSUs, have tried it with only one DDR4 stick, have tried re-seating the CPU, all to no avail. I've update the bios (to 11.05), and have all latest drivers installed. Its a real puzzler!

I have a new (identical) motherboard arriving tomorrow, so I'll try that and report back if it helps
 
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realmrpot

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Jan 27, 2016
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Hmmm, both PSUs just have the 4 pins Atx12V connector. I'd assumed that only running two cores with low load would cause no issues with just the two 12V wires (plus two ground)? Presumably the motherboard has these all tracked together anyhow? Or do some motherboards actually need the 8-pin connector?
 
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realmrpot

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Jan 27, 2016
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One is a "Be Quiet" Pure Power, model number BQT L7-300W. The other is an older one whose label I can't get to.

So, I've now tried a second Asus Z170 Pro Gamer motherboard (another brand new one), and it does exactly the same thing. This one is on the 'as shipped' bios version of 0908. So, I think that rules out a motherboard fault.

I've also now tried a third PSU, this one is a new Corsair CX500. It has the full 8-way 12V ATX connector. Same issue, the system reboots as soon as the windows logo comes up unless I disable all but one core.

So, what's left? OS or CPU I guess. Suggestions welcome!
 
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realmrpot

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Jan 27, 2016
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So, more news.
I have just tried a new CPU, this one being an i5 6600K, and it runs fine. All four cores, no problems.
So, looks like the i7 6700K is broken. I'll RMA it and get a replacement I think, and will report back when the new i7 works (hopefully!)

Thanks for the help and advice :)
 
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