I just built a new PC. My specifications are...
CPU: I5-6600K
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Evo 212 hyper
RAM: 16GB Crucial (2x8) 2400MHz
GPU: EVGA GTX 660 (FTW)
MOBO: ASUS Z170-A
PSU: EVGA NEX 650W
SSD: 850 EVO 250GB SAMSUNG
HDD A: 600GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM
ODD: I'm not sure. It's about 5 years old but it works.
I installed Windows 7 which was a hassle and I had to struggle on getting things like sound and internet to work but I did it. But all along I've had these strange problems with booting and they persist. When I start my computer I can't press the Delete key or F2 to go to bios but I see those options with the ASUS logo above them. It waits for a few seconds and goes to the American Megatrends screen where it says either Overclocking Failed! (which I turned off XMP because of that) or something about RAID not being set up correctly. That's when I press F1 to go to the BIOS. Whenever I change settings in the BIOS and press save and exit, nothing happens. It leaves the BIOS and goes straight to a black screen and then my monitor says it's going to sleep but my computer is still running.
So I have turn off the power with the power button on the front of the case. Then I go to the BIOS again and press F8 under the Boot Priority menu and select my ssd that I installed Windows 7 on. This is my only way of getting to Windows. When I was in windows and installing drivers and the like to have sound and internet and to make Windows run normally I would have to restart often. But whenever I restart, whether that's with software prompting me to do so or if I am pushing the restart button on the front of the case, it goes to a black screen, the monitor goes to sleep, and the computer is still running. I turn off the power and start windows from the boot menu in BIOS.
Another problem is that some parts of the BIOS recognize my ram as 2400MHz, which is correct because that is what it says on the box) and other areas recognize it as 2133MHz. DRAM status shows it as 2400MHz and so does XMP but in the advanced menu under Hardware Monitor it says 2133MHz. Is this normal?
I have tried the reset CMOS option by taking the battery out for a minute and then putting it back in but all this does is reset the time and a few options I have changed in the BIOS.
I did forget to update the BIOS to the most current version (my version is maybe 4-5 months old) before I installed Windows. I know updating the BIOS after installing windows can hurt the OS but I don't mind reinstalling it. DO I wipe the SSD before I do that or after. How can I safely do that? I don't have anything personal or saved on my SSD or HDD yet so I don't care if I have to reinstall windows and delete what is there.
Also, should I install Windows 10? I am open to just installing windows 10, which is available to me as well as windows 7 (I have discs and usb sticks for both), if it is more agreeable with the hardware. I would prefer 10 if it makes this process easier.
I am sorry I have so many questions but his is my first PC build and I am just looking for help. I am having fun working on this for the first time even though it can be very frustrating.
*Just read some troubling stuff about windows 10 so I'll stick with windows 7.*
CPU: I5-6600K
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Evo 212 hyper
RAM: 16GB Crucial (2x8) 2400MHz
GPU: EVGA GTX 660 (FTW)
MOBO: ASUS Z170-A
PSU: EVGA NEX 650W
SSD: 850 EVO 250GB SAMSUNG
HDD A: 600GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM
ODD: I'm not sure. It's about 5 years old but it works.
I installed Windows 7 which was a hassle and I had to struggle on getting things like sound and internet to work but I did it. But all along I've had these strange problems with booting and they persist. When I start my computer I can't press the Delete key or F2 to go to bios but I see those options with the ASUS logo above them. It waits for a few seconds and goes to the American Megatrends screen where it says either Overclocking Failed! (which I turned off XMP because of that) or something about RAID not being set up correctly. That's when I press F1 to go to the BIOS. Whenever I change settings in the BIOS and press save and exit, nothing happens. It leaves the BIOS and goes straight to a black screen and then my monitor says it's going to sleep but my computer is still running.
So I have turn off the power with the power button on the front of the case. Then I go to the BIOS again and press F8 under the Boot Priority menu and select my ssd that I installed Windows 7 on. This is my only way of getting to Windows. When I was in windows and installing drivers and the like to have sound and internet and to make Windows run normally I would have to restart often. But whenever I restart, whether that's with software prompting me to do so or if I am pushing the restart button on the front of the case, it goes to a black screen, the monitor goes to sleep, and the computer is still running. I turn off the power and start windows from the boot menu in BIOS.
Another problem is that some parts of the BIOS recognize my ram as 2400MHz, which is correct because that is what it says on the box) and other areas recognize it as 2133MHz. DRAM status shows it as 2400MHz and so does XMP but in the advanced menu under Hardware Monitor it says 2133MHz. Is this normal?
I have tried the reset CMOS option by taking the battery out for a minute and then putting it back in but all this does is reset the time and a few options I have changed in the BIOS.
I did forget to update the BIOS to the most current version (my version is maybe 4-5 months old) before I installed Windows. I know updating the BIOS after installing windows can hurt the OS but I don't mind reinstalling it. DO I wipe the SSD before I do that or after. How can I safely do that? I don't have anything personal or saved on my SSD or HDD yet so I don't care if I have to reinstall windows and delete what is there.
Also, should I install Windows 10? I am open to just installing windows 10, which is available to me as well as windows 7 (I have discs and usb sticks for both), if it is more agreeable with the hardware. I would prefer 10 if it makes this process easier.
I am sorry I have so many questions but his is my first PC build and I am just looking for help. I am having fun working on this for the first time even though it can be very frustrating.
*Just read some troubling stuff about windows 10 so I'll stick with windows 7.*
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