[HELP] PC won't boot after using EZ Tuning to OC. Already tried clearing CMOS...

[czernobog]

Hello,

specs:
ASUS Maximus VII Gene
Intel 4760K
4 x 4GB Crucial XMS3 (from the QVL list)
NZXT Kraken X91 WC

Yesterday I tried to OC my Haswell CPU for the first time. I have never used the any auto tuning methods but decided to be lazy this time. So using the BIOS I have clicked through the tuning options and in the end result I was meant get about 35% more CPU performance. There was no indication about clock frequencies or voltage. After accepting, the PC powered down... and that's basically it. I waited for it to power on automatically for about a minute and hit the power on button.
It started to come online, various QLED codes were displayed, but as soon as POST was about to start, it powered off again and remained in this state with the code 00. None of the red hardware status LEDs are lit up. The display monitor remained dark.

I've already tried:
- clearing CMOS with the button at the back
- removed the CMOS battery and completely removed power for 6 hrs
- removed all components except for a RAM module and tried the above again
- flashed the BIOS with the newest version, in hope it would reset the settings

Another thing I have noticed - every few seconds it looks like the system is drawing a bit more power, like it was about to start, but then goes off again. This manifests in the radiator fans "twitching" a bit as they are almost about to move and also in the GPU cosmetic LEDs going on\off.
Is this an RMA case or do you have other any ideas for clearing the CMOS?
Neither the MB nor any other components showed signs of malfunctioning up until the OC attempt.

Thanks!

[Nate152]

Hello czernodog

I wouldn't think using the ez tuning feature to overclock your cpu would fry it. It sounds like it could be a psu issue, what psu do you have and would you have access to another one to try?

[czernobog]

Thanks for replying.

The PC is powered by a bequiet PowerZone Z1 650W PSU.

Sadly I have no access to other components at home and cannot do a crosscheck ATM:(
I do have a MB testing tool though, I forgot about it yesterday, will check the voltages when I get home from work.

[Nate152]

Sounds like a plan, let us know how it tests.

[czernobog]

Hello,
I did a bit of testing last week and I don't really think I have found the cause of the problem.
I have brought the MB to a friend, hooked up his PSU and the board proceeded to boot. On the screen I could see that the iROG# update was being performed, after that the BIOS GUI showed up. At this point I was almost certain my PSU has failed again.
After returning home I have decided to give my PSU and MB one last try. Next came connecting the 24pin cable only, I have powered on the PC and surprise surprise it did not power off again! Next was the 8pin CPU cable, powering on again let me boot into the BIOS. There I have restored all my configuration options (XMP etc), saved a new profile and was able to boot into the BIOS again. In the last step I have connected my hdd's and was able to boot into the OS. The PC has been running stable for the last 4 days.
Like I said before, no idea really why it did not work after the initial OC failure. I'm tempted to try it again, but this time I will take the traditional approach of taking small steps in clock+voltage increases.

[FZero]

If you find out something new please let us know someone else could have the same problems and find this topic.