BAMT "failed due to unknown user id (0)" error- Help needed.

Ive posted this over at litecointalk.org too, but since it seems from my research this may be in general a BAMT issue not reserved to the Litecoin or SMOS variants I thought maybe someone here would be able to help me out!

Hi everyone. Im working on setting up my new rig with the following hardware:
MSI Z77A GD65 Mobo
Intel G1610 Processor
LEPA G1600 PSU
3x Gigabyte R9 280x Rev2

I initially tried running the rig through ubuntu, but after finding the Litecoin BAMT os and then SMOS, I decided to opt for those since I am very new to Linux.
My initial boot w Litecoin BAMT 1.2 went through fine with just one GPU plugged directly onto the mobo. After I changed the config files to match the pools I wanted to use, I began to receive the GPU fail red screen. Tried using each GPU, with and without PCI risers. Tried reinstalling the OS onto several usb keys, no reinstall fixed the issue.
So then I gave SMOS Linux 1.2 a try. With monitor plugged into the inboard graphics, and any of the GPU's (PCI riser or not in any combination) attached, the OS would begin to load then cut to black screen before fully booting. Again tried several fresh installs, different sticks, no solution.
When I unplug my gpus, again with the monitor attached to inboard graphics, instead of the black screen now i get the following error message:
"failed due to unknown user id (0)"
and some more accompanying text. I've seen this error in other posts before, and tried fresh usb sticks and even clearing the mobo CMOS, and nothings worked.
Note: I have the monitor plugged into the inboard graphics bc when I attached it to a GPU, the monitor wouldn't function if more than one GPU was attached to the mobo, so the only way I have been able to attach more than one GPU and use the monitor is through the inboard graphics.

Any help in getting me past this black screen or unknown user id fail is very much appreciated!!