Gigabyte X48-DS4 POST Problem: Replacement MoBo?

My Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4 is still acting up. When I reboot the computer, I get the
standard 1 short beep, then the POST hangs at the memory test with "Memory T" as
the last message showing. If I leave it there, it will resume and boot in 10
minutes or so (I never sat at the screen long enough to actually time it), as
masterprometheus indicated a while back in another forum. I still cannot find
any references to the problem, and Gigabyte does not admit to it.

I've already done all the troubleshooting I can do (remove all peripherals and
replace 1 at a time, update BIOS from F1 to F2), and the problem persists.

Now Gigabyte sez to submit an RMA request, but my wife (it's her
embroidery/quilting design computer) doesn't want to go without the computer for
the 3 weeks they say it will take to troubleshoot and return it. So, I am
getting ready to buy another Mobo to replace this one. If I get a new X48-DS4
back, I'll replace an older Mobo in another machine and sell the old one (or
keep it as a backup).

Dilemma is: Buy another X48-DS4 (or, I just found there is a DS5...) or try out
a different brand? I have a P35-DS4 in my other machine, and it runs fine. I
don't know if this is going to be a recurring problem with Gigabyte, so I'm
looking for experiences & recommendations for alternatives. I will keep the
Q9450, 2x2 GB OCZ Reaper DDR2-1066, HD3850 gfx, and all other peripherals.

I realize Mobo preferences are personal, but would like some input for a Mobo
with similar price and performance.

Below is some history:


"masterprometheus" wrote...
>
>> Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4, Q9450, 2 x 2 GB OCZ Reaper.
>>
>> Was running fine until I had to reboot after some maintenance (Runs F@H SMP +
>> GPU clients). I get the standard single beep at the BIOS screen, but then it
>> hangs at
>>
>> Memory T
>>
>> Same place after several tries -- reset and power off. Even after an hour of
>> cooldown (running in a basement at ~65F).
>>
>> The obvious guess is a failure in one of the RAM sticks. Anything else that
>> might do it?
>

> This is apparently a known problem with Gigabyte boards. It looks like if
> you wait for a long time , for example 5 to 10 mins , the system will
> actually complete the boot procedure and when Windows starts everything will
> run fine. I believe this has to do more with the BIOS looking for some
> devices than a faulty hardware preventing the boot. Some theories :

OK; I'm trying that now. No luck with pulling out all cards and USB stuff,
single-stick RAM (tried both), and swapping RAM to slots 2/4 instead of 1/3...


> 1. There are devices connected like external drives , flash drives, hubs etc.
> Those are known to confuse some BIOSes.
> 2. It seems iPODs and especially charging them through USB ports can be a
> factor.
> 3. A plain BIOS problem. Updating or downgrading could eliminate the problem.
>
> Try to unplug everything that is not necessary and also try a PS/2 keyb+mouse
> combo instead of usb ones (if you're using USB mouse and keyb.)

None of these have been changed in the past couple months. It's been working
fine until now.

Unfortunately, I cannot even get into the BIOS Setup screen -- the freeze is
solid where it is.