WIndows wont start after CPU upgrade

p-diddy · Jan 13, 2015

I'm trying to upgrade the CPU on my build, but I'm having trouble starting windows 7. My original CPU is an Intel e6600 on an ASUS P5W DH deluxe motherboard (socket LGA 775). I replaced the CPU with an Intel q9650, which is listed as compatible on the ASUS website. I also updated the BIOS. When I start the computer, the BIOS will post, and recognizes the new CPU, but Windows wont start (black screen). Upon restart, it asks me to run "WIndows launch repair." But this doesn't solve anything, and I end up getting a BSOD. I've tried this at least 50 times, and have received at least 5 different types of error messages on the BSOD.

Here are the things I tried:

1) I put the original CPU back inside, and Windows started normally. However every time I put the new CPU inside, the same problem occurs. And each time I put the original CPU back inside, Windows will load properly.

2) I thought there might be driver-compatibility issues, so I then tried re-installing Windows using the original CPU, which installed without problems. As soon as I put the new CPU inside, I received the same error again.

3) I then tried a clean install of Windows using the new CPU, using the boot prompt to select the DVD drive as the initial load. For some reason it does not let me perform this task - it takes me to "Windows launch repair" instead. The same thing happens with a Windows recovery disk

4) I have tried loading in safe mode and "last good configuration" without any luck

Any suggestions on other things I could try?

My specs:
ASUS P5W DH deluxe motherboard
4 sticks of 2gb RAM, Corsair XMS2, DDR2, PC6400
Old CPU - Intel e6600
New CPU - Intel q9650
Nvidia GTX 970
WIndows 7 x64

digitaldoc · Jan 13, 2015

The Bios that supports this chip on the MB is "3002" Curiously, it gets listed as beta.

http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/P5W_DH_Deluxe/HelpDesk_CPU/

Assuming that this Bios is installed, is this a new CPU? Could the q9650 CPU have an issue?

nitrium · Jan 13, 2015

I always thought it was pretty standard practice to always reinstall Windows from scratch on a CPU and/or motherboard change.

digitaldoc · Jan 13, 2015

nitrium :

Definitely with a motherboard, not as essential with a CPU. But he tried to install Win with the new CPU and no luck.

p-diddy · Jan 13, 2015

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yes, this is a new CPU, just bought it online. Appears unused, no scratches/marks etc. When the BIOS posts, it correctly states "New CPU detected,"and correctly identifies "q9650 at 3.00 MHz"

digitaldoc · Jan 13, 2015

p-diddy :

3 MHz or GHz?

p-diddy · Jan 13, 2015

Yes you're right, 3.00GHz. And yes, its the 3002 version of the BIOS. I will try to flash with the previous version, but that was also a difficult task. The ASUS EZ-Flash utility doesnt recognize the flash drive well ... I tried 3 flash drives, each one 5-6 times, as well as a CD with the image, and I got lucky after 15-20 tries.

digitaldoc · Jan 13, 2015

p-diddy :

Try a different flash drive. I am wondering with so much difficulty if the bios upgrade loaded intact.

p-diddy · Jan 13, 2015

Yes, I'm trying now. I'll let you know if it works.

The other problem I was considering is the difference in the FSB. But the motherboard should automatically adjust, right? (motherboard is 1066, new CPU is 1333). I didnt read anybody posting comments that suggested it was necessary to manually adjust these settings ....

digitaldoc · Jan 13, 2015

p-diddy :

Double check this in the Bios too- you may need to manually adjust it.

rehed21 · Jan 13, 2015

Select "load optimized defaults" in BIOS with the new CPU.

digitaldoc · Jan 14, 2015

rehed21 :

I usually go with the defaults, but he may need to override on this one.

p-diddy · Jan 15, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions!

1) I tried an alternate version of the BIOS (which is still listed as compatible) without any luck

2) I tried adjusting the CPU multiplier to 8. I got a black screen (BIOS didn't post) and I had to take out the CMOS to reset.

Unfortunately, I don't see an option for "load optimized defaults" in my BIOS

And I still don't understand why I cant boot from the Windows DVD (despite changing boot-order as well as selecting DVD ROM from the F8 startup). The fact that any additional workload on the CPU causes a reset might suggest a faulty CPU? Interestingly, I have restarted the computer about 50 times with the new CPU, and only once, it loaded Windows and made it to the home screen. It then detected a new CPU and downloaded drivers. It asked for a Windows restart, but after that, it never worked again. This makes me think that my settings are incorrect ....

digitaldoc · Jan 15, 2015

p-diddy :

Thanks for the suggestions!

1) I tried an alternate version of the BIOS (which is still listed as compatible) without any luck

2) I tried adjusting the CPU multiplier to 8. I got a black screen (BIOS didn't post) and I had to take out the CMOS to reset.

Unfortunately, I don't see an option for "load optimized defaults" in my BIOS

And I still don't understand why I cant boot from the Windows DVD (despite changing boot-order as well as selecting DVD ROM from the F8 startup). The fact that any additional workload on the CPU causes a reset might suggest a faulty CPU? Interestingly, I have restarted the computer about 50 times with the new CPU, and only once, it loaded Windows and made it to the home screen. It then detected a new CPU and downloaded drivers. It asked for a Windows restart, but after that, it never worked again. This makes me think that my settings are incorrect ....

Yes, could be the settings. Which ones are you using?

p-diddy · Jan 15, 2015

I tried playing around with the BIOS settings, still no luck.

I set the FSB to 266, the DRAM to 533, the PCI-E frequency to 100MHz, and left the rest on auto. BIOS posts, but Windows wont load.

I set the FSB to 333 and the DRAM to 667, with the rest as above, and once again no luck.

Any time I change the default CPU-mulitplier from 9 to 8, the BIOS wont post and I have to remove the CMOS.

digitaldoc · Jan 15, 2015

https://communities.intel.com/thread/11211?tstart=0

Different motherboard, but same processors ending with a compatibility issue.

Does the Bios post if the CPU multiplier is 8?

p-diddy · Jan 15, 2015

Thanks for the link. I actually checked the ASUS website to verify compatibility between the motherboard and CPU prior to my purchase. The website states that the CPU is compatible after BIOS 2801, and I have tried 2 BIOS revisions without success. I have also read other threads from people with the same motherboard and CPU, and they have had success.

When I change the multiplier to 8, the BIOS does not post. I get a black screen, and I have to remove the CMOS to reset.

digitaldoc · Jan 15, 2015

I am not sure if the new CPU is bad, or the motherboard is having a compatibility issue. Either way, it is not likely to work.

p-diddy · Jan 15, 2015

I was starting to reach the same conclusion. I have requested an RMA, so I will exchange the CPU and try again. I appreciate your input - it has helped me to re-learn a lot of little things about my computer! I'll keep you updated after I try the new CPU.

digitaldoc · Jan 15, 2015

Good luck with the RMA.

p-diddy · Feb 17, 2015

Wanted to provide a quick update on my situation.

After spending a lot of time and effort with the settings, I couldn't get the CPU to work.

I bought a new motherbaord, and the CPU work fine, on the first try, with the default settings.

It appears that the CPU and original motherboard were not compatible, despite the claims on ASUS' website,

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and advice.

digitaldoc · Feb 17, 2015

Thanks for the update, and glad you got the cpu working.

WIndows wont start after CPU upgrade

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