First, thanks to all the posters in this forum. I've read hundreds of posts in the last few days while trying to troubleshoot my new PC build. I haven't solved the problem yet, but I've learned a lot quickly. Thank you.
That said, this process has been extremely frustrating, so thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.
Here are the parts, all brand new aside from the SSD which was purchased 2 weeks ago and used briefly in a laptop.
Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz
Gigabyte GA-7170X-Gaming 7 ATX LGA 1151 Rev 1.0
G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32 GB (2x16)
Samsung 850 EVO-Seriew 500 GB 25" SSD
EVGA GeFroce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB SC Gaming Card
Fractal R5 ATX Mid Tower Case
Corsair RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX PSU
Pioneer BDR-209DBK Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
I'll try to be as brief as possible, while attempting to be complete. Apologies for any omissions/etc. I've been working on this for 24 hours over the past 3 days.
Also, I have read the ~20-part FAQ (many times).
Upon the initial build, system wouldn't post. The red power button on the motherboard lit, but that was it. After breadboarding and a lot of other attempts at various set ups, including minimal set ups like PSU+Mobo+etc and removing peripheral stuff, I decided the Mobo was bad. I bought another one (identical), and breadboarded and it powered up, though didn't post. Progress.
At this point I have been able to install Win10 (tried Win7 but then read about various Gigabyte issues w/ that so just bit the bullet and am switching to Win10.. fine.). Here are the various problems/symptoms I still have:
1) The system will generally not "reboot." I have to shut it down and flip PSU switch to get it to boot again. If I try to turn it off/on quickly (or a regular reboot, it typically goes to Error Code c0.
2) I cannot use both RAM sticks. I have tried various combos in the two slots (including the recommended Dual set-up), and with both in the system won't post. It cycles on and off, various error codes, then shutting down. (This post seems quite similar: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2153349/beast-boot-error.html)
2a) Everything I have been able to do with this build is using 1 ram stick in Slot 1 (furthest from CPU). Both sticks work fine individually, but as a pair they do not.
3) I cannot post (I think? at least no video using the i/o or the card DP slots) while using the GPU/Video Card. The Error Code 55 comes up most often when doing this, but I believe I have seen others as well.
4) The Optical Drive seems to have no power. I tried switching cables and PSU ports w/ known good ones, and still nothing. The drive only has the SATA connection, and the power to the daisy-chained L-looking power to Type4 in the PSU cord, so it seems like this is relatively simple?
5) Due to #4, I can't use the Gigabyte Driver CD. I have installed the GIgabyte Networking driver via USB from another computer, and am successfully online. I have then tried windows update (computer crashed at 98% complete and Error c0). I also tried to download Gigabyte Drivers, and a similar result occurred, Error Code c0.
6) I was able to re-flash BIOS (correct term?) using USB. I believe it is now BIOS Version: F21, 3/6/17, which matches what I should be using I think: http://uk.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z170X-Gaming-7-rev-10#support-dl-bios
7) Installed Windows 10 Pro 64bit, after deleting all partitions on SSD and creating a new one for this install (per instructions elsewhere on forum regarding GPT v MBR). (Side note: is there any possibility the SSD was "damaged" by being used in a different computer before?)
8) BSOD's I've seen: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL; KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
9) I believe I am suppose to use the XMP mode as set in BIOS, but am not sure if this makes a difference? Also not sure if this is in Memory Settings, or the one in (I think) Frequency Settings (or maybe somewhere else.. I know two places to choose XMP in BIOS).
10) After a recent crash, the Computer remains "off" with Error Code c0. When I restart, Windows Repair starts, but crashes before anything really happens, with Error Code 96 (Assign PCI device resources).
UPDATE:
11) After removing the mobo battery for a bit, and reinserting it, I booted and got a very fast spinning CPU fan, and Error Code 70. Machine did not post. I pulled the power, and started again, and it seemed to post but then monitor blank and Error Code c0 again.
12) This seems to be the norm now: I started the computer up, got to the Windows splash screen, and the monitor lost signal (entering power save mode). However, the CPU fan still going strong, as are the case fans. The computer appears on. I/o is lit. Error Code: c0.
Thank you for reading this, and thanks especially for any direction you can offer.
That said, this process has been extremely frustrating, so thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.
Here are the parts, all brand new aside from the SSD which was purchased 2 weeks ago and used briefly in a laptop.
Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz
Gigabyte GA-7170X-Gaming 7 ATX LGA 1151 Rev 1.0
G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32 GB (2x16)
Samsung 850 EVO-Seriew 500 GB 25" SSD
EVGA GeFroce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB SC Gaming Card
Fractal R5 ATX Mid Tower Case
Corsair RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX PSU
Pioneer BDR-209DBK Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
I'll try to be as brief as possible, while attempting to be complete. Apologies for any omissions/etc. I've been working on this for 24 hours over the past 3 days.
Also, I have read the ~20-part FAQ (many times).
Upon the initial build, system wouldn't post. The red power button on the motherboard lit, but that was it. After breadboarding and a lot of other attempts at various set ups, including minimal set ups like PSU+Mobo+etc and removing peripheral stuff, I decided the Mobo was bad. I bought another one (identical), and breadboarded and it powered up, though didn't post. Progress.
At this point I have been able to install Win10 (tried Win7 but then read about various Gigabyte issues w/ that so just bit the bullet and am switching to Win10.. fine.). Here are the various problems/symptoms I still have:
1) The system will generally not "reboot." I have to shut it down and flip PSU switch to get it to boot again. If I try to turn it off/on quickly (or a regular reboot, it typically goes to Error Code c0.
2) I cannot use both RAM sticks. I have tried various combos in the two slots (including the recommended Dual set-up), and with both in the system won't post. It cycles on and off, various error codes, then shutting down. (This post seems quite similar: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2153349/beast-boot-error.html)
2a) Everything I have been able to do with this build is using 1 ram stick in Slot 1 (furthest from CPU). Both sticks work fine individually, but as a pair they do not.
3) I cannot post (I think? at least no video using the i/o or the card DP slots) while using the GPU/Video Card. The Error Code 55 comes up most often when doing this, but I believe I have seen others as well.
4) The Optical Drive seems to have no power. I tried switching cables and PSU ports w/ known good ones, and still nothing. The drive only has the SATA connection, and the power to the daisy-chained L-looking power to Type4 in the PSU cord, so it seems like this is relatively simple?
5) Due to #4, I can't use the Gigabyte Driver CD. I have installed the GIgabyte Networking driver via USB from another computer, and am successfully online. I have then tried windows update (computer crashed at 98% complete and Error c0). I also tried to download Gigabyte Drivers, and a similar result occurred, Error Code c0.
6) I was able to re-flash BIOS (correct term?) using USB. I believe it is now BIOS Version: F21, 3/6/17, which matches what I should be using I think: http://uk.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z170X-Gaming-7-rev-10#support-dl-bios
7) Installed Windows 10 Pro 64bit, after deleting all partitions on SSD and creating a new one for this install (per instructions elsewhere on forum regarding GPT v MBR). (Side note: is there any possibility the SSD was "damaged" by being used in a different computer before?)
8) BSOD's I've seen: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL; KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
9) I believe I am suppose to use the XMP mode as set in BIOS, but am not sure if this makes a difference? Also not sure if this is in Memory Settings, or the one in (I think) Frequency Settings (or maybe somewhere else.. I know two places to choose XMP in BIOS).
10) After a recent crash, the Computer remains "off" with Error Code c0. When I restart, Windows Repair starts, but crashes before anything really happens, with Error Code 96 (Assign PCI device resources).
UPDATE:
11) After removing the mobo battery for a bit, and reinserting it, I booted and got a very fast spinning CPU fan, and Error Code 70. Machine did not post. I pulled the power, and started again, and it seemed to post but then monitor blank and Error Code c0 again.
12) This seems to be the norm now: I started the computer up, got to the Windows splash screen, and the monitor lost signal (entering power save mode). However, the CPU fan still going strong, as are the case fans. The computer appears on. I/o is lit. Error Code: c0.
Thank you for reading this, and thanks especially for any direction you can offer.