ASROCK H81 PRO BTC (R2.0) in Linux. PCIE slots do not detect GPUs

[wolfmyst]

I have bought other ASROCK motherboards and have rigs running successfully on them.
The first version of the H81 PRO BTC worked with the same graphics cards.
I bought two ASROCK H81 PRO BTC R2.0, and they're both presenting the same problem: PCIe slots do not recognize the GPU (regardless of the GPU or the PCIe slot used). The cards fail to be detected even if I try to install them directly onto the 16x slot without a riser.
I'm pretty sure the problem is not the GPUs because I have them running fine in other systems. The problem is present as early as startup, at BIOS, so before the OS (in this case Linux) is even loaded...which is why I think it's the motherboard. The system starts up with the integrated graphics only, as if there was no GPU connected. I have made sure the usual options in the BIOS were selected as I've done before with several machines: PCI Adapter as primary graphics, changing to Gen 2.0 etc. but unfortunately this did not solve the problem. The BIOS version is P1.2 which seems to be the only available one for this MB, I also tried flashing the BIOS with the same version regardless.. and nothing.

Have swapped all components CPU, RAM, GPUS etc.

Tried to contact ASROCK support, have not heard anything from them after 5 days.

I'm wondering if anybody is using this version of the H81 PRO BTC motherboard (R2.0) with Linux successfully and if they had to do anything in particular to make it work. I find it hard to believe that the two motherboards I bought just happen to be faulty.

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[philipma1957]

I have bought other ASROCK motherboards and have rigs running successfully on them.
The first version of the H81 PRO BTC worked with the same graphics cards.
I bought two ASROCK H81 PRO BTC R2.0, and they're both presenting the same problem: PCIe slots do not recognize the GPU (regardless of the GPU or the PCIe slot used). The cards fail to be detected even if I try to install them directly onto the 16x slot without a riser.
I'm pretty sure the problem is not the GPUs because I have them running fine in other systems. The problem is present as early as startup, at BIOS, so before the OS (in this case Linux) is even loaded...which is why I think it's the motherboard. The system starts up with the integrated graphics only, as if there was no GPU connected. I have made sure the usual options in the BIOS were selected as I've done before with several machines: PCI Adapter as primary graphics, changing to Gen 2.0 etc. but unfortunately this did not solve the problem. The BIOS version is P1.2 which seems to be the only available one for this MB, I also tried flashing the BIOS with the same version regardless.. and nothing.

Have swapped all components CPU, RAM, GPUS etc.

Tried to contact ASROCK support, have not heard anything from them after 5 days.

I'm wondering if anybody is using this version of the H81 PRO BTC motherboard (R2.0) with Linux successfully and if they had to do anything in particular to make it work. I find it hard to believe that the two motherboards I bought just happen to be faulty.

belongs in alt coins not btc  try here

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=160.0  others have had rv 2  board issues.

[fullzero]

I have a bunch of these mobo's; actually just ordered 5x more yesterday ( newegg has a sale going ). 

I run Ubuntu 16.04 on almost all of them. 

What GPU's are you using?

What Linux Distro are you using?

Are you powering at least 1x of the molex ports on the mobo?

What kind of risers are you using?

[m1n1ngP4d4w4n]

Did you tried to disable the onboard GPU ? i have this same motherboard and if you don't do that, no added card will work.

[m1n1ngP4d4w4n]

Did you tried to disable the onboard GPU ? i have this same motherboard and if you don't do that, no added card will work.

I only know of the BIOS option under chipset configuration where you select the primary graphics adapter. I have chosen the PCI Adapter as primary. Is there another option to specifically disable onboard graphics in the BIOS other than this one?

I tried that, but it wasn't working, if i recall correctly if you let it to auto, it will disable the onboard GPU automatically as soon as you connect a GPU in the main 16x pci express port, you'll have to connect your screen on this GPU to get display. Also disable IGPU multi monitor, this will effectivly disable the onboard GPU when you plug the 16x slot gpu. You can also put your PCI express in mode GEN1 it will save a few watts (like 1%)

[m1n1ngP4d4w4n]

Did you tried to disable the onboard GPU ? i have this same motherboard and if you don't do that, no added card will work.

I only know of the BIOS option under chipset configuration where you select the primary graphics adapter. I have chosen the PCI Adapter as primary. Is there another option to specifically disable onboard graphics in the BIOS other than this one?

I tried that, but it wasn't working, if i recall correctly if you let it to auto, it will disable the onboard GPU automatically as soon as you connect a GPU in the main 16x pci express port, you'll have to connect your screen on this GPU to get display. Also disable IGPU multi monitor, this will effectivly disable the onboard GPU when you plug the 16x slot gpu. You can also put your PCI express in mode GEN1 it will save a few watts (like 1%)

Ok, I have already done all of that. This BIOS version only lets you choose one or the other (PCI or onboard). iGPU multimonitor is set to disabled by default.
The card is not detected by BIOS even when it is connected directly to the 16x slot. Display only works on onboard, even when having the card connected and PCI chosen as primary. It ignores it as if nothing is connected there. Both of the Motherboards I have do this exact same thing.

Once I am in Linux, I try to run lspci, and it does not show any VGA adapters connected except the onboard. It's really strange, but I think I was sent two faulty motherboards then.

This is indeed weird, is the additional GPU running (like are fans spinning ?), i can confirm to you that if the card was working you would automatically lose display on the onboard GPU, if it's working it's proof that the additionnal GPU doesn't work/detected indeed. how do you supply power to your added graphic card ? also did you connected the 2 additionnal power supply molex connector that are on each sides of the PCI express port slots ?

[fullzero]

Try disconnecting the ssd or hdd completely; and fully powering off the PSU.  

After switching off the PSU, click the atx power switch to fully draw any remaining power in the mobo.

Switch the PSU back on.

Attach a monitor to the primary GPU ( the one in the 16x slot ).  

Click the atx power switch.

When doing so; does the bios display thru the GPU?

[m1n1ngP4d4w4n]

Did you tried to disable the onboard GPU ? i have this same motherboard and if you don't do that, no added card will work.

I only know of the BIOS option under chipset configuration where you select the primary graphics adapter. I have chosen the PCI Adapter as primary. Is there another option to specifically disable onboard graphics in the BIOS other than this one?

I tried that, but it wasn't working, if i recall correctly if you let it to auto, it will disable the onboard GPU automatically as soon as you connect a GPU in the main 16x pci express port, you'll have to connect your screen on this GPU to get display. Also disable IGPU multi monitor, this will effectivly disable the onboard GPU when you plug the 16x slot gpu. You can also put your PCI express in mode GEN1 it will save a few watts (like 1%)

Ok, I have already done all of that. This BIOS version only lets you choose one or the other (PCI or onboard). iGPU multimonitor is set to disabled by default.
The card is not detected by BIOS even when it is connected directly to the 16x slot. Display only works on onboard, even when having the card connected and PCI chosen as primary. It ignores it as if nothing is connected there. Both of the Motherboards I have do this exact same thing.

Once I am in Linux, I try to run lspci, and it does not show any VGA adapters connected except the onboard. It's really strange, but I think I was sent two faulty motherboards then.

This is indeed weird, is the additional GPU running (like are fans spinning ?), i can confirm to you that if the card was working you would automatically lose display on the onboard GPU, if it's working it's proof that the additionnal GPU doesn't work/detected indeed. how do you supply power to your added graphic card ? also did you connected the 2 additionnal power supply molex connector that are on each sides of the PCI express port slots ? Using GPU power supply + motherboard power supply + riser power supply you smooth out the load between different power lane of your PSU, smoothing the power output. so it's all good

Yes that's what I assume. The onboard should lose display, that has always happened with my other rigs.  all the GPUs I try power on with lights and fans spinning...

Well if you connected all the power input i spoke about, i have no other ideas, sorry mate 

[fullzero]

I did not think about trying it that way, that seems like the best way to rule out the OS, I tried it but I got no display, so now I am almost certain it is a bad MB

Assuming you know the GPU is good; and you did that last test without a riser.  There is probably something wrong with the mobo.


I would try one last test.

Fully power off the PSU and unplug its cable from the outlet or PDU.

Click the atx power switch to fully draw any remaining power in the mobo.

Remove the mobo battery.

Wait >= 35 minutes.

Replace the mobo battery.

Attach a monitor to the primary GPU ( the one in the 16x slot ) ensure the GPU is directly in the 16x slot without a riser. 

Switch the PSU back on.

Click the atx power switch.

When doing so; does the bios display thru the GPU?

If not manually hold down the atx power switch until the computer shuts down.

Wait a few seconds and click the atx power switch.

When doing so; does the bios display thru the GPU? 

If not I would give up on the mobo.

[joblo]

Interesting problem. Glad your solved it.

That seems like an unusual troubleshooting step to take. I don't know what,
other than the clock, gets power from the battery and doesn't get reset on normal power on.
Whatever it is should never prevent the board from initializing no matter what state the data.

It's bad design for the BIOS to trust data that hasn't been reset. The BIOS should test the data for
validity before using it and reset it (as removing the battery did) if there is any doubt.

[lummujaj]

Ive also a problem on my asrock btc , i cannot get it  work the x16 slot . Im using only 5gpu , the x16 slot is free, whenever i cannoct the raisers ,  no screen amd system wont boot up, ive disablet the igpu and primary outpuc is pcie1 ... any tips ?

[fullzero]

I seriously can't believe it, but this last test worked. I am now at least getting the BIOS to display on the GPU after removing the battery for that amount of time, replacing it and running the GPU directly on the 16x slot.  I had previously tried to remove the battery, but I quickly replaced it, I think that might have made a difference.
I've learned additional troubleshooting steps, which is cool.
I am incredibly grateful man, thanks for the help.

Glad it works. 

Ive also a problem on my asrock btc , i cannot get it  work the x16 slot . Im using only 5gpu , the x16 slot is free, whenever i cannoct the raisers ,  no screen amd system wont boot up, ive disablet the igpu and primary outpuc is pcie1 ... any tips ?

Have you set the pcie to gen 2?

If so; and you still have the problem, I recommend trying only 1x GPU in the 16x slot. 

Ensure you do a full power cycle as described earlier in this thread.  Does that single GPU work?

[lummujaj]

I seriously can't believe it, but this last test worked. I am now at least getting the BIOS to display on the GPU after removing the battery for that amount of time, replacing it and running the GPU directly on the 16x slot.  I had previously tried to remove the battery, but I quickly replaced it, I think that might have made a difference.
I've learned additional troubleshooting steps, which is cool.
I am incredibly grateful man, thanks for the help.

Glad it works. 

Ive also a problem on my asrock btc , i cannot get it  work the x16 slot . Im using only 5gpu , the x16 slot is free, whenever i cannoct the raisers ,  no screen amd system wont boot up, ive disablet the igpu and primary outpuc is pcie1 ... any tips ?

Have you set the pcie to gen 2?

If so; and you still have the problem, I recommend trying only 1x GPU in the 16x slot. 

Ensure you do a full power cycle as described earlier in this thread.  Does that single GPU work?

ive tried 1x gpu in the 16x slot but with raiser , not direct , didnt work in that way  , and i still didnt change pcie to gen 2, ill do it when my next 2x gpu will arrive so ill have 6x total in that mb , and will let you know

[R734]

Sorry for necroposting but I'm currently going through the exact same problem.  
Same mobo, works fine with onboard VGA but won't output anything through GPU (sapphire rx470 nitro 8Gb).  

I tried fullzero's solution, doing a full power cycle and retrying with only one GPU in the x16 slot without a riser but still no luck for me.  

Is there anything else I can try before sending this back to the vendor?
Delaying some more would suck big time... 

Edit : Ok, I managed to boot with the GPU plugged in by going back and forth in the BIOS and setting the video out device to "onboard".
When I go in window's device manager, the GPU is recognized as "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" with the status:
 "This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device "code 31) The driver trying to start is not the same as the driver for the POSTed display".
I then installed AMD's drivers and rebooted. Now I do have an output on that card, locked down to 640x480, for some reason... 
Not sure where to go from here.

[fullzero]

Sorry for necroposting but I'm currently going through the exact same problem.  
Same mobo, works fine with onboard VGA but won't output anything through GPU (sapphire rx470 nitro 8Gb).  

I tried fullzero's solution, doing a full power cycle and retrying with only one GPU in the x16 slot without a riser but still no luck for me.  

Is there anything else I can try before sending this back to the vendor?
Delaying some more would suck big time... 

Edit : Ok, I managed to boot with the GPU plugged in by going back and forth in the BIOS and setting the video out device to "onboard".
When I go in window's device manager, the GPU is recognized as "Microsoft Basic Display Adapter" with the status:
 "This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device "code 31) The driver trying to start is not the same as the driver for the POSTed display".
I then installed AMD's drivers and rebooted. Now I do have an output on that card, locked down to 640x480, for some reason... 
Not sure where to go from here.

try smOS: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1541084.0 or my amdOC beta (the red link at): https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1854250.0  either will probably work.

[R734]

try smOS: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1541084.0 or my amdOC beta (the red link at): https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1854250.0  either will probably work.

Ok, I'll look into it. 
I still have the "SM bus controller" for the location PCI bus 0, device 31, function 3 that gives me a code 28 (not installed), which sounds like it could have something to do with it...

I'll try and reinstall some constructor drivers while I look into smOS and amdOC.
I actually do know a bit about smOS as a coworker of mine with the same setup has been using it as of late.
Any advice regarding installation? Should I plug everything back in before reinstalling the OS?

Thank you!

[fullzero]

try smOS: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1541084.0 or my amdOC beta (the red link at): https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1854250.0  either will probably work.

Ok, I'll look into it. 
I still have the "SM bus controller" for the location PCI bus 0, device 31, function 3 that gives me a code 28 (not installed), which sounds like it could have something to do with it...

I'll try and reinstall some constructor drivers while I look into smOS and amdOC.
I actually do know a bit about smOS as a coworker of mine with the same setup has been using it as of late.
Any advice regarding installation? Should I plug everything back in before reinstalling the OS?

Thank you!

Yes I would plug everything back in before booting with either OS.

[R734]

Welp, still no POST when main video adapter set to PCI-E. 
I could probably mine anyway by using the onboard VGA but something's definitely fishy there.

ASRock support isn't of much help and vendor hasn't replied in a while.
Don't know what to do.   

[fullzero]

Welp, still no POST when main video adapter set to PCI-E. 
I could probably mine anyway by using the onboard VGA but something's definitely fishy there.

ASRock support isn't of much help and vendor hasn't replied in a while.
Don't know what to do.   

I never had a problem with over 15x of this mobo.  I never changed a bios setting with one either. 

Have you tried resetting the mobo to factory defaults?

[R734]

Have you tried resetting the mobo to factory defaults?

Pretty sure I have. I'll try once more before I try to mine anyway to see if the gpus are actually usable when using the onboard VGA.