Rampage IV Extreme - Overclocking Failed - Bios 4901 - Any Assistance Appreciated

[Hammersdawn]

Hi,

Recently updated bios to 4901, since then having intermittent issues, on occasion when the system is left idle for extended periods it hangs, mouse cursor remains active, cannot open task manager, shutdown pretty much only thing is hard power down, then on power up prompted with "Overclocking Failed", carried out all the typical tests from Ram removal (Stick by stick, Slot by slot) memtest, burntest, AIDA64 no problems found, what makes it more frustrating is it can run fine for days without issue, then at random intervals this occurs, also only happens following idle times.

Could it be a fault in the PSU? Any help is appreciated.

[sandro_c]

Hello Hammersdawn,
then, if the facts are these even without overclocking, most likely Arne has reason to suspect a hardware fault and rightly first being replaced power supply and/or memory. Unfortunately, without a BSOD code, it is difficult to diagnose certain.
With this information I have no other ideas to put forward.
Send us a feedback when the problem is solved.
I hope everything returns to normal as soon as possible.
Best regards.
sandro c.

[Hammersdawn]

Hi,

So back again following the replacement of a PSU and Memory and now really stuck, replaced the PSU and the problem still continued, replaced RAM and the problem still continued, I am pretty much out of ideas here.

The absolutely strange part is when the system goes into the hung like status, the mouse in windows remains active, however can right click and right click menu appears but no matter what I select the system does nothing, if I push the power button, windows acknowledges this and states Shutting down, the interesting part is anything I have tried to execute like task manager then appears during the shutdown as not responding or halting the shutdown, ultimately the system does not shutdown which leads me to either holding in the power button or hitting the reset, and this is where my latest update comes in, if I simply hit RESET the system resets without any errors, boots into windows and works fine for a random period of time normally a good few days, HOWEVER if I hold in the power button, then turn the system on again I get the Overclocking Failed message.

I have no blue screens, I have run every conceivable software test I can think of with no errors, and even reloaded Windows and the problem still occurs.

Any ideas?

[Hammersdawn]

Update

So deceided to go down a different path and enabled Windows 8.1 Verifier, and guess what endless blue screen cycle on startup.

At this point I am now thinking this is a specific driver related issue.

After enabling verifier I was met with "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" message

[sandro_c]

Hello Hammersdawn,
then, in the light of your latest info we can think of that a new installation has loaded some drivers that create problems for the operating system.
What changes have you done to your PC recently, that is, when these problems occurred?
hello
sandro c

[Hammersdawn]

Hi Sandro,

Previously I had a Windows 8 with 8.1 upgrade installed, and the system ran flawlessly, up to the point I upgraded the BIOS to 4901, following this the issues began, following this I purchased an Windows 8.1 License as I didn't want to reinstall and then still apply the update (Call me lazy...lol), following the installation of Windows 8.1 I installed all the standard system drivers, graphic drivers, sound drivers and supporting applications, this did not help and the problem continued up till recently, I have since come to the conclusion the "Overclocking Failed" error was due to the hard power cut (Holding Power Button Down) and not as a result of a system hardware fault.

However will note that Corsair Link connects to USB Headers on the board, and I am not sure if with 4901 something has changed that could effect its behavior, thus resulting in this issue, equally why PowerDVD would cause issues completely eludes me.

[Hammersdawn]

Hi

So followed verifier down the rabbit hole, removed the following in order of blue screen memory.dmp:
1. Norton 360
2. Logitech Gaming Software
3. Corsair Link
4. Cyberlink PowerDVD

Following this system posted without Blue Screens, left verifier on and loaded each application again with a reboot cycle after each in order to monitor verifier results:
1. Norton 360 - No Blue Screens - No Errors Reported
2. Logitech Gaming Software - No Blue Screens - No Errors Reported

For both Corsair Link & Cyberlink PowerDVD, blue screens continued, resulting in permanent removal of both of these applications

Now on day 3 without any reboots, and no hanging or funny issues, pushed clocks back up, sitting on XMP, 4.5 @1.35 - and no issues thus far.

In terms of the applications I am uncertain what could or how these could effect the system, both have system services that could play a role, however nothing reported in the event viewer also both are the very latest versions.

[sandro_c]

Hello Hammersdawn,

I do not think PowerDVD has these problems because it should not need to install additional drivers on the Corsair Link system ... but I think he needs drivers.
Unfortunately I do not have experience on the Corsair Link because I use an air-cooled ... that does not need SW installations.
Try to take you out for a while just to see if the problem repeats itself ... my son has a cooler Corsair Corsair 100i but do not use links.
ciao
sandro c.

[neyuru]

Sorry for the late reply, but I am suspecting of the following scenario:

- that your Windows installation got corrupted during when your system was overclocked. A fresh reinstall without overclocking and increasing your voltajes afterwards to enhance stability. (I use AIDA64 for stress testing, and use it for CPU, memory and GPU stress at the same time for at least 12 hours to check for stability)