RIVE - Boot Problem: Occasional Code 94

[matt_x]

Hi,

I have recently upgraded my system (from Q9450). I am having random problems while booting; with DebugCode 94. It sometimes boots sometime doesnt.

My system:
* HAF-X case
* 3930K Stock
* 750W PSU
* Corsair H100 cpu cooler
* eVGA GTX 670 FTW (latest firmware)
* Rampage 4 Extreme v1.2, BIOS 3010
* 16GB 2133 gskill ram
* OCZ Vertex 4 hdd

Setup:
* Bios1: 3010
* Bios2: 2003
* Stock CPU
* RAM on XMP Profile 1... 2133MHZ (problem even before or after xmp)
* RAM sticks on slots described on the guide

Notes:
* No overclock
* LN2/SlowMode off.
* No additional cards, just single GPU.
* 8pin + 4pin connected. (Later on connected EZ + Floppy one. no diff)

I have tried changing card position, placement etc.

When it does not boot on 1, and i switch to 2, most of the time it boots, but after few times it gets stuck again. When I am 1 again, it is just luck: sometimes it works sometime doesnt. Quick boot is even more problematic.

Yesterday I switched to PCI_GEN2 and it has not happened again so far. The thing is, my card is new and recent (EVGA GTX670 FTW) and I do have SLI plans on the horizon... It really feels like BIOS issue, not hardware, but I just cannot be sure.

I am REALLY, open to suggestions/comments/questions... anything...

(Apologies for starting forum membership with a question, hoping to gain more knowhow and return to assist others on other problems as time passes.)

Many thanks,
- Matt

[HiVizMan]

Matt you take it easy mate, and welcome.

Pretty well structured first post all the information is neatly laid out. Dude I wish more posts were as clear as yours is.

Your are not alone with Gen3 hardware not playing nice with the X79 processors. Remember that the PCIe controller is on the CPU. Gen 2 will not impact negatively in any way shape or form. Even if you go Sli in the future and your system is happiest in Gen 2 mode there will be no loss of performance.

One thing you could try is navigate to the PCH options and disable HEP.

Please keep me informed as to how it goes.

[matt_x]

Hi back,

I have;
* Disabled HPET and restarted computer. All was normal
* Enabled GEN3 and saved. Autorestart. Computer booted fine.
* Restarted from Windows, 4 beeps from speaker (VGA card missing)?
* Turned off, started again, back to the dreaded code 94....
* Took few full power offs and boots to start again and switched back to GEN2.

Mission not-so-successful so far. From other posts in here I read that HPET affected DPC latency a lot, so I installed LatencyMon to see, but I could not see much difference (albeit its high at the moment, I will dive into it).

Thanks 🙂

[Necrosan]

Think you're going to need to stick to PCIE_GEN2.
I'd switch back and try a bunch of reboots and see if your issue occurs again with GEN2 set. If not - problem solved.

Also, with a single card setup I really doubt GEN3 will do anything to enhance performance for you anyway.

[Nodens]

GEN3 is most likely your probleam I agree with Necrosan. Set it back to GEN2.

As far as HPET go. There are a lot of false information regarding this one circulating around.

HPET will always be better for DPC latency if it is the only clock utilized. Unfortunately this is not the default setting in Windows.
Use "bcdedit /set useplatformclock true". If you are also on Win8 add this command as well "bcdedit /set disabledynamictick yes".

Only disable HPET if it creates some sort of problem for you. Without useplatformclock, HPET enabled will cause DPC issues because it is not the only clock, disabling HPET offers better performance than using multiple clocks but enabling HPET as the only clock is even better.

[Necrosan]

Kind of offtopic but I tried enabling HPET via your instructions (also on 😎 Nodens and the mouse lag after reboot is unbearable.

I can't seem to get it to use DPC now, even after deleting the two values (useplatformclock & disabledynamictick).

Also have disabled HPET in BIOS now, but I still seem to have mouse lag. Any ideas? It was perfect before I decided "lets see what we can mess up today" 😉

[Necrosan]

Yeah, enabling HPET effectively ruined my copy of Windows 8.
Can't get rid of this stupid mouse lag now and REALLY don't want to reinstall.
Here's to hoping someone can figure out what else gets changed when modifying those 2 bcd entries.

[matt_x]

Try the "bcdedit /deletevalue useplatformclock" i guess?

[Nodens]

That input lag issue has been observed in a few cases and it depends on the mouse most of the time. Leave "disabledynamictick" on as that's unrealated entirely. It's about a powersaving feature that kinda stops the clock on idle..resulting in abnormal clock behaviour, DPC latency and other issues. The option in the Review versions was so buggy that it caused all sorts of havoc.

If you get input lag with useplatformclock on, then best course of action is "bcdedit /set useplatformclock false", disable HPET in UEFI and reboot from power off (Not Fast Boot or Win 8 Hybrid Boot..completely power the system off).

[matt_x]

and onto main subject: GEN2 is working OK so far, will keep testing. I guess I will see what I will do when I am about to go with SLI. Fingers crossed that a BIOS update is released by then to rectify this 94 problem. Meanwhile if anyone has any other suggestion/comment I am all open for testing. Thanks!