Abit AB9 GuadGT and C1 error

[RaoulDuke]

Hello everyone!

I have fixed and assembled computer or two during my life, but
never have I found myself in trouble like this!

So I assembled the computer and everything seemed to go well, but...
When I turned the computer on, nothing appeared on the screen so I
thought I'll chech the little display on motherboard.

It reported error C1.

Abit manual says that C1 is a memory error.

"
Detect memory:
- Auto-detection of DRAM size, type and ECC
- Auto-detection of L2 cache ( socket 7 or below )
"

I've tried every trick to get past this error, but NO. ( Things I've done listed below )
Every time I turn that thing on, that cute little motherboard display reports error C1.

What I've read from forums this might be caused by memory not getting enough volts.
Unfortunately I can't adjust these settings 'cos I can't get to BIOS even with 1,8v
memory stick that I've tried ( Borrowed that one from my brother ).

I am getting really frustrated and I would really like to get that machine up and running!

So I would appreciate any advice you can give me and I am especially interested if
anyone has had similar experiences.

Hardware:
---------

Antec Sonata II 500 - ATX Case 500W ATX12V
Corsair TWIN2X 2x1Gb DDR2 800MHZ KIT ( 2,1V )
Western Digital Caviar SE 250Gb SATA II
Abit AB9 QuadGT LGA775 ATX
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2,5GHz, boxed
Club3D GeForce 8800GTS 512Mb GDDR3 PCI-E


What I have done:
-----------------

1. Cleared CMOS ( Using switch )
2. Cleared CMOS ( Using jumper )
3. Cleared CMOS and removed backup battery for 15mins
4. Unplugged everything unnessessary ( So it isn't about low power )
5. Tried different memory ( Kingston, 1.8V )
6. Tried simple PCI graphics card, instead of 8800GTS

Please help me!
Thank you all in advance!

[Blitzen]

Try just 1 stick to get into the bios.

[Lucio]

I suspect it might be an incompatability between the processor and the board as the QuadGT is an old design and not equiped to handle the 1333FSB processors.

[format]

I have this same problem, it worked after I got a new bios for about a month, then i got a BSOD and it has refused to work ever since.

I'm counting down the days til I can buy a new board,(IP35 Pro probably) the PC i'm using just now can't play any of my games I hate it.

[StoX]

I used to have this board and know of the problem. To rectify, you should try putting one stick of memory in the furthest slot from the CPU and BOOT to the BIOS and up the volts of the RAM. Then shutdown, insert the other stick and away you should go...

[RaoulDuke]

Thank you all for replying!

Well, I tried all those tricks and I got little further. Still no
image on the screen thou, but now we are at error 03.

"03 - Initial Superio_Early_Init switch"

I am getting pretty angry with this!

Well, I guess I keep trying, but if you have
ideas/suggestions, please share!

[Lucio]

Thank you all for replying!

Well, I tried all those tricks and I got little further. Still no
image on the screen thou, but now we are at error 03.

"03 - Initial Superio_Early_Init switch"

I am getting pretty angry with this!

Well, I guess I keep trying, but if you have
ideas/suggestions, please share!

Pretty damn sure that board won't work with that processor! You're wasting your time! (or you've misreported your mobo, the X38 QuadGT will work of course)

Universal abit > Motherboard, Digital Speakers, iDome, AirPace, Multimedia

Supports up to 1066FSB, your processor is 1333FSB and it's not a matter of overclocking either, as there's voltage differences.

Your best bet is swap the Q9300 for a Q6600, or you can get a new mobo...

[BUFF]

you'll need the beta BIOS Beta Bios Releases - Universal abit USA Forums

[RaoulDuke]

Thanks for replies!

Pretty damn sure that board won't work with that processor! You're wasting your time! (or you've misreported your mobo, the X38 QuadGT will work of course)

Supports up to 1066FSB, your processor is 1333FSB and it's not a matter of overclocking either, as there's voltage differences.

Your best bet is swap the Q9300 for a Q6600, or you can get a new mobo...

Aarrrg! Yeah, that might be the problem...

Well, I'll try everything else and when I'm finally out of ideas ( propably soon ) that will
be my course of action.

you'll need the beta BIOS Beta Bios Releases - Universal abit USA Forums

So you think this should work for me?

AB9 QuadGT - Beta Z7 - 03/17/2008
Support for 45nm Processors

Since I can't get to BIOS etc. There is no way to install that, or do you mean that I should eg.
borrow Q6600, install new BIOS, then switch back to Q9300 and... it should run fine like -87 Nissan Sunny.

I'll have to come up with a battle plan!

[Blitzen]

Even if you get it to boot, i doubt that Motherboard will play nicely with that CPU.

They just arent designed to be together in a rig.

[BUFF]

Since I can't get to BIOS etc. There is no way to install that, or do you mean that I should eg.
borrow Q6600, install new BIOS, then switch back to Q9300 and... it should run fine like -87 Nissan Sunny.

If you can probably easiest or you could buy a BIOS chip with it preinstalled.
I'm not sure that I've seen any reports of anyone running that exact CPU in a QuadGT but it will run 1333fsb CPUs, quads & 45nm CPUs (at least duals I know have been used) so I would be hopeful.
maybe ask on the abit USA forum if anyone has tried a 45nm quad yet?

[Agent]

Even if you get it to boot, i doubt that Motherboard will play nicely with that CPU.

They just arent designed to be together in a rig.

How come?
As far as I can see, the latest beta BIOS should add official support for it?

[Bugbait]

So you think this should work for me?

Since I can't get to BIOS etc. There is no way to install that, or do you mean that I should eg.
borrow Q6600, install new BIOS, then switch back to Q9300 and... it should run fine like -87 Nissan Sunny.

I'll have to come up with a battle plan!

You will need to install a compatible processor before flashing (I used a Q6600). My HTPC is running this Beta BIOS with an overclocked E8200 and it has been perfectly stable for several days, although I still haven't put it through the Orthos test. All media files have been fine and the wife has been running a ton of those on it!

[RaoulDuke]

Now that sounds like a plan!

I'll try to borrow Q6600 and I'll test that beta BIOS.
I'll report, if anything new happens!

Thanks for your help, people!