I/O issues?

[idata]

I've just completed my first build and I'm having some very odd problems.

Components (all new):

CPU: Intel i7-2600

Mobo: MSI P67A-GD53 (B3) GFX: XFX Radeon HD 6870 16Gb Crucial Ballistix memory Intel 520 SSD (128Gb)

WD 2TB Hard drive

LG Blue-ray drive + Sony OptiArc DVD Drive

I've been having real trouble reading DVDs - on either of my new drives, and on a variety of media. This includes Windows and Ubuntu install disks, so the problem occurs before an OS has been loaded. I even had the same troubles on an external USB drive.

The Windows install would BSOD, the ubuntu drive complains of I/O issues.

At one point I managed to install Windows 7 from a USB stick, but had similar issues installing software. For example, The MS Office 'default install' managed to work, but there was a consistent problem reading a file during the 'custom install' - it would complain of disc read issues, and stop.

I've just now finished trying a bootable Ubuntu USB stick - I couldn't install from this (I/O issues), and the 'try without installing' feature set up an OS, but it was very instable ('disk errors').

I've tried 3 different DVD drives now, 2 internal and one external. I've tried my SSD, and HDD alternately. I've tried various RAM configurations, and 2 days of Memtest on the RAM succeeded without errors. I've tried all the BIOS settings available (very few), and tried updating / downgrading the motherboard firmware. With Windows installed, I tried various driver updates.

I convinced myself it was a problem with the motherboard, and so RMA-ed it, but the replacement has exactly the same issues.

By process of elimination, I guess the problem must be with the processor, but I don't understand why. Does this sound reasonable - has anyone seen anything like this before, or can anyone imagine what the problem might be?

Or can anyone suggest some tests I can run to show that the processor really is at fault before I ask for a replacement?

[Adolfo_S_Intel2]

I have seen this issue before, but not related to a processor, it is very uncommon for a processor to fail this way, since a processor either works or it does not work.

At this point I would suggest running the Intel processor diagnostic tool to determine if there is an issue with the processor:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-031726.htm http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-031726.htm

Also you can run the Intel processor identification utility to determine if the processor is being properly recognized:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/tools/piu/ http://www.intel.com/support/processors/tools/piu/

If the issue follows the processor, the please contact your local support center at:

http://www.intel.com/support/9089.htm http://www.intel.com/support/9089.htm

Or start a chat session at:

http://www.intel.com/support/feedback.htm?group=processor# processor http://www.intel.com/support/feedback.htm?group=processor# processor

[idata]

Thanks Adolfo, that's really helpful. I'll have a go at these tools this evening and let you know how I get on. Like you, I don't really think it's the processor, but having tested every other component, and had the motherboard replaced, it's really the last thing left to test.