POST failures on overclocked computer

freelancer91 · 27 Feb 2010

I am running an overclocked system that will always fail the Power on Self Test the first time, when it asks me to restart the computer or enter the bios, I select to restart. It almost always passes the test the second time. The system runs beautifully once inside Windows 7 (it passed 10 hours of Prime 95 with flying colors). I can prevent the messages by disabling the fail-safe watchdog in the BIOS, but that results in another problem. Whenever I disable it, the computer will not be able to restart. I have to press the power button and then turn it on. Instead of rebooting, the screen just goes black and the DVD drive makes a loud grinding noise every few seconds. It normally makes this sound only once on start up, but it just keeps making the sound over and over again.

My system specs are:

Mobo: Intel DX48BT2 with BIOS version 2006
Processor: Intel QX9770 overclocked to 4.0 GHz (normally 3.2)

FSB: 400Mhz
Multiplier (at full load): x10

RAM: 8GB OCZ Gold series Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333Mhz
PSU: Rosewill Bronze Series 1000W
Graphics: BFG GTX 295 Single PCB
HDD: 1TB Samung Spinpoint F1 Series HD103UJ and External 2TB eSATA Phantom Drive
ODD: Hp dvd1140 burner

Nemix · 27 Feb 2010

1. Try re-flashing the BIOS with the same or higher version if available. 2. Check to see if CMOS jumper on motherboard is intact and in the correct position. 3. Check if motherboard battery is dead, replace if needed.

freelancer91 · 27 Feb 2010

I already tried doing an express update. I am already on the latest version. The jumper is intact and in the correct position. As for the battery, I will need to take it down to the ECE lab on campus to see if there is still some voltage in it. I don't have anything to test it with here. What should the voltage be?

Nemix · 27 Feb 2010

I do not know a how lot about battery voltage, take a look at the battery size and buy a new one from a Electronic store. Other then the few things I've listed I cannot think of any other reason why your motherboard if acting up. My no.1 speculation is still BIOS corruption if not then you may have to contact the makers of the motherboard for further assistance and possibly RMA if still applicable.

win7clutz · 27 Feb 2010

Back off the overclock to 3.8 and see if that fixes the problem... What's 200mz at these speeds!!!

freelancer91 · 27 Feb 2010

Yeah the DX48BT2 is Intel's feeble attempt at making an overclocking board. Ironically, if you tell them that you overclocked, they will probably void your warranty (not that they will be able to tell.) In my case, RMA is not an option for the board since I got it second hand on ebay. I got it for $125, so I guess I got what I paid for. I'll try dropping the FSB to 380 and see what happens. I may have to run the stability tests again

EDIT: Ok,I tried downclocking the FSB to 380. No luck. I then figured that the reason it was having trouble to that the processor voltage was too high. I had it set to 1.4250 Volts. I kicked it down a couple notches to 1.4000 volts. I am going to do 10 runs of Linx at 6500MB of RAM usage and then 10 hours of Prime 95. I am happy to report that it passed the POST. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

EDIT 2: Right after I finished posting that edit, I started Linx. It blue screened before the first run was done. I am beginning to realize that if I want to overclock, I will need a board not manufactured by intel. I reset my board back to factory settings and everything is running as it should. It was fun while it lasted, but I don't think I noticed any increase in speed by going from 3.2 to 4.0. Eventually, I will get to a Core i7 and some of those self overclock when the opportunity arises.