Now that you've saved all this time with Windows memory test, you might want to try a boot CD with Memtest and actually test the memory.
 
Memtest will ferret out an intermittent problem. Heck, I run memtest on memory I think is good... if you have a reason to think your memory is bad, the sooner you ferret out a problem the less likely you are to corrupt your Windows install and have to go back to square one.
 
If you had never gotten it to boot to Windows I would be more focused on the motherboard info... but the fact that you have had Windows running makes me think it's time to check that memory.
 
Good luck.
 

johnnyV
Anyhow from the first time I turned it on the light on the mobo has displayed AO. Which according to the manual " IDE initialization is started" which seems to mean nothing,,, There is no IDE conections, all is SATA. 
 

Actually, it does mean something. If you look in device manager and try to find a "SATA controller" listed, I doubt you will find it. Most SATA controllers are implemented as logical ATA devices, your computer sees them as ATA not PATA or SATA. The electronics is different, but the interaction with the software via the MB is tied to the ATA legacy. So it is telling you that the BIOS is starting to connect to the hard drive.

That is one impressive motherboard, from looking at the specs.
 
Quick question: what BIOS version is currently on the motherboard?  I believe from your initial post that you hadn't done anything with updating BIOS, if I recall correctly, and I just wanted to take a look at the various versions they released.
 
What a bizarre error condition, to have 2nd boots seemingly OK - that's a new one on me.
 
Forgive me for being behind the 8-ball on your issues - I AM trying to get up to speed on the thread, and will do my best to help you, if I can.  :)
 
I did double-check the supported memory, and all seems fine and good with that (I was also pretty sure you would have checked that too, but I was just trying to be thorough).
 
Also, early in the thread, you indicated all maintenance and firmware being done.  For the maintenance, are you strictly referring to Windows maintenance, or driver maintenance, or both?  Thanks for some clarification on that, too.
 
I ask, because for one of the computers I built, there were some 3rd-party drivers for the USB 3 support, and it made me wonder if you had applied the base drivers from the disc that came with the motherboard, and then was wondering about any subsequent application of drivers from the Gigabyte site.
 
Bob Bone

Thanks all I think I 'm getting somewhere slowly here.
Mike- I just Googled Memtest and it gets scary. 
So is there a recommended link for Memtest ? This one looks legit 
 
http://hcidesign.com/memtest/download.html
 
I will defiantly run it no matter what, NCIX where I buy parts has a solid return policy. 
 
Dave - Thanks for that, I figured as so much. And as far as I can tell the AO is just the final post and not an error message. 
But it still brings up my question from # 17 on which SATA ports are the correct ones for your OS drive. The SATA 3? ( my guess) or the SATA express? The manual just says to hook your drives to the SATA connectors and no mention of which ones are for what. 
 
Bob: Not sure which BIOS I'll look next time I boot, I'm just on a coffee break from editing and the client is returning tonight so I gotta get it done, no time for stupid computer, it's running, scarred to turn it off!
Good point about the bios updates and especially the USB 3.0 drivers. The rear ports work but this front one is iffy. It works for a mouse but not USB drives? And my main external drive is a USB 3.0 drive. It works on the back but that's a pita.
I have ordered a USB wireless device so I can put the DAW on line without moving it downstairs. I'll do a little more updating then. 
 
Anyhow, back to Sonar world for some more Dobro and Mandolin track editing.    
 
 
 
 
 

Hang in there, so we can all go down with the ship - actually, I am hoping that between everyone, and the internet, there should be some kind of solution for this mess.  I'm optimistic.  
 
Bob Bone
 

Hi Johnny,
 This is what I've been using for many years: http://www.memtest.org/
 
 You can find this file on that page: http://www.memtest.org/download/5.01/memtest86+-5.01.iso.zip
 
 You'll need to use a ISO disc burner application to burn yourself a bootable CD of the .iso file inside that .zip. I just use a utility that came with my laptop for this.
 
 You make sure your bios will boot to your DVD/CD drive and let Memtest do its thing. The longer you let it run the more exhaustive the test is. If it finds a problem it will list it for you.
 
 Good luck.

Mike, First I clicked on the direct download link you posted, It downloaded in 2 seconds.. so it's bogus I guess. 
That's the site I didn't like as it has typical false Download buttons all over it... sorry, I avoid downloads from sites  like that.
I downloaded the one from the link I posted and it seems clean and the site was straight forward. I'll give it a go tomorrow night. 
 

by all means continue with the memory test but.....
 
in post #17 you stated you disconnected the front USB 3.0 from motherboard because it wasn't working.
 
uh, you might have other connections not in the right place and THAT may be why your having all the issues with blue screen.
 
I think you should take a minute to pretend your starting over , don't disconnect just do a step by step and retrace ALL connections so your sure you don't have something weird going on.
 
power to mobo, trace cables, yep.  next memory seated in both slots, how many slots are there, is the 1st pair in A and 2nd pair in B, yep.  etc.
 
I know it sounds really silly but last build I did I had USB connectors reversed and memory in slot pairs C and D not A and B (8 slot mobo).  I really got frustrated and fuming until I took a break, calmly retraced everything and boom found the issues to resolve.
 
building a puter can get so frustrating.  you can get there.

That's why I bought the second pair of RAM, All 4 slots are full of the same stick. 
 
I did re check my little microscopic connections and all is good. They are for the front panel switches and lights which all work fine.The USB 3.0 connector is big. looks like at least 12 pin so there's no way to mix it up.  The connection works, sort of, but it has trouble recognizing USB storage devices. There is a USB 2.0 connector on the front that is working fine. 
 
I think Bob has nailed it with there might be special drivers that were not on the CD or didn't get installed. I'll run the mobo driver CD again and see what's on it, I just let it automaticly do it's thing, but there might be more stuff on it I missed. 
This issue just might be resolved with a little more updating. I see my wireless adaptor has arrived at the depot so I'll pick it up tomorrow. 
 

johnnyV
Mike, First I clicked on the direct download link you posted, It downloaded in 2 seconds.. so it's bogus I guess. 
That's the site I didn't like as it has typical false Download buttons all over it... sorry, I avoid downloads from sites  like that.
I downloaded the one from the link I posted and it seems clean and the site was straight forward. I'll give it a go tomorrow night. 

 
Johnny,
 That's some of the funniest logic I have ever encountered.
 
 Diagnostic practice generally requires a solid use of logic. Good luck with your trouble shooting. :-)
 
 Signing off.
 
 Best regards,
mike