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

[Nodens]

Staying with GEN2 and SLI won't affect your performance at all. GEN3 can not be fixed by UEFI update. It's the CPU that screws up. SB-E simply can't handle it and depends on each individual chip if it can do it or not. Apparently yours can't 😞 This issue will be resolved when IB-E CPUs come out but not before then so just stick with GEN2:)

[HiVizMan]

As I said earlier the CPU manages the PCIe side of things. And the X79 processors are not Gen3 certified by Intel.

[Necrosan]

Forgot to update my (supposed) issue with HPET - Ended up being my TV's stupid "game mode".
Watched a football game yesterday (first time in nearly a year using TV as a TV, usually is my monitor) and totally forgot that game mode even existed and was turned off when TV was enabled.
HPET enabled & working like a charm (as I thought I had on 7 =P)

[Nodens]

Hehehe! Alright! Input lag has been reported though in a few rare cases with HPET (mouse freezing for 1/3rd of a second)..it shouldn't happen on the RIVE though so I thought it was weird that you had it at first. Glad to know that you didn't heh!

[matt_x]

Not that it would change anything, but just wanted to add as reference, for people with similar problem, that updating Intel ME/MEI to 8 (from 7.x.x.x) did not help on this either. Currently on PCIE2 and working OK.

(PS. Special thanks to HiViz/Nodens/Necrosan etc for their time and help)