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CHV Random freezing during POST/BIOS

X3T
Level 7
Hi

I have a Crosshair V mobo, and occasionally (seems random) upon cold boot or a restart the system will freeze on the logo screen. It has also frozen whilst in the BIOS. Once it seemed to be frozen but was actually going really slow, and eventually started to boot into Windows after ~1-2 minutes.

I am not overclocking anything. Specs below:

AMD FX-8150
4Gb (2 x 2Gb) Dominator 1600Mhz
Corsair AX850 PSU
Asus 6970 DCII gfx

I have updated the BIOS to the latest, but it still happens (maybe 3 times a week.)
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16 REPLIES 16

DocLotus wrote:
Hi;

Your system is similar to mine in hardware except I have two OCZ Vertex 120GB SSD's and two WD 1TB HD's (no RAID).

Just out of curiosity, do you have your HD's set up with ACHI? This is VERY important for SSD's.

Have you updated all the ASUS drivers from the update site?
http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3Plus/Crosshair_V_Formula/#download

I too had a devil of a time with random hangs ups and boot problems (both with and without OC'ing). Turns out it was a flaky Dominator GT memory module (one of four sticks). I originally had 4 sticks of Dominator (not the GT version) in my CHV and it simply did not like that memory at all.

I finally found it by running the computer with only one memory module at a time (in the far right RED memory slot). If it ran OK I swapped the module for the next one. The third one I tried was bad.

Although you have only 4GB of memory, Windows will still boot (although a little slower) with only 2GB of memory but it will help to diagnose the problem.

The reason I suspect it may be memory is the CHV is VERY touchy about memory.

You might also try boosting the Dram Voltage a little from the default of 1.5 volt. As I have mine OK'ed so am using 1.65 volts for memory stability. The Corsair's like a little higher voltage than the default.

Cheers;
Doc


Thanks, yes the SATA ports are set to AHCI mode. My memory is rated at 1.65v default, so I have it set at that already. I did read somewhere that the CPU-NB should be boosted to 1.2v (from 1.15v) to aid in memory stability, so I have tried that and so far no more freezes. If it happens again I will try what you said about using a single module at a time.

DocLotus
Level 9
Most likely a slight difference between boards but my CPU/NB Manual Voltage when on all default Auto settings (no OC'ing) was reading 1.175v. With my overclocking it is now reading (on Auto) 1.450v.

For some references here are all my settings (both default and OC'ed).

Cheers;
Doc
Retired... and Loving it :cool:

DocLotus
Level 9
One other thought, you mentioned that the memory was already running at 1.65v. That makes me wonder if it is new or older memory. Much of the newer Corsair memory runs at 1.5 volt. Did you do the same thing that I originally did, that is, re-use my old Dominator memory in the CHV. It turned out that CHV did not like my old Dominator memory (it was also NOT on the approved ASUS CHV memory list). The CHV DID like the new Dominator GT memory (that is after I replaced the bad memory module).

I suggest you check out that your memory is on the approved list and possibly increase the Dram Voltage setting a little as it seems that Corsair memory likes a little higher voltage for absolute stability.

After I got all the bugs out of my system it NEVER crashes at all; it will run for days on end (and that is with a pretty high OC).

Cheers;
Doc
Retired... and Loving it :cool:

DocLotus wrote:
One other thought, you mentioned that the memory was already running at 1.65v. That makes me wonder if it is new or older memory. Much of the newer Corsair memory runs at 1.5 volt. Did you do the same thing that I originally did, that is, re-use my old Dominator memory in the CHV. It turned out that CHV did not like my old Dominator memory (it was also NOT on the approved ASUS CHV memory list). The CHV DID like the new Dominator GT memory (that is after I replaced the bad memory module).

I suggest you check out that your memory is on the approved list and possibly increase the Dram Voltage setting a little as it seems that Corsair memory likes a little higher voltage for absolute stability.

After I got all the bugs out of my system it NEVER crashes at all; it will run for days on end (and that is with a pretty high OC).

Cheers;
Doc


X3T said he updated the BIOS and in that case I don't think there are still any not approved RAM. He also has the same RAM as I do and these aren't old or anything, this RAM needs the 1.65v and most of Dominator do that for AMD CPUs.
@X3T If the system freezes again, don't be afraid of pushing the CPU/NB voltages up to 1.35v. Just to check if that's not the NB what's causing this issue. Nevertheless, test your RAM with memtest86+.

DocLotus
Level 9
Just recalled this; it may or may not be the problem...

Check your BIOS to see if ECC is enabled or not; mine was enabled by default.

"Having ECC Mode enabled on a computer without ECC memory has been known to cause many types of memory instability and other weird booting and general stability issues. Having ECC Mode Enabled on none ECC memory does not always cause problems but several users have resolved booting problems by disabling ECC Mode."

Cheers;
Doc
Retired... and Loving it :cool:

Cheers for the help. Yes default ram voltage is 1.5, but they require 1.65 to run at the tested spec. ECC mode is also disabled.
Memtest sounds like a good idea, but I haven't had any problems since I boosted the NB voltage 😄

@DocLotus, about those settings you posted. I noticed you have increased the NB HT voltage. What effect does this have on an overclock?

DocLotus
Level 9
The NB Voltage I let alone; advise leave it in auto as it will most often take care of itself.

I did increase the NB HT Voltage: "Sets Northbridge HT IO voltage. For maximum HT speeds (board and processor dependent), a setting of 1.275~1.30V is advised as a guideline."

That is from Raja's guidelines...
http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?2585-ASUS-Crosshair-V-Formula-BIOS-Guide-Overclocking

Cheers;
Doc
Retired... and Loving it :cool: