Asus P4C800 Deluxe "Overclocking Failed"

[nordicsmak]

OK..This has been a serious issue with no help from Asus support at all.

I have a brand spank'n new:

P4C800 Deluxe, BIOS 1010
P4 2.4C w/HT
1 x 512MB Kingston KVR400x72C3A DDR 400
Matrox G550 Video

As soon as I installed all the parts/pieces I get an error message on post stating:

Overclocking Failed press F1 to edit BIOS settings or
Press F2 to load defaults and continue

Well, all the defaults are loaded.

If I edit the BIOS settings, the only way to get it to boot is to set the CPU Frequency below 200MHz.

I've tried manually setting it to 200MHz with my memory and 400Mhz, as well as with memory at lower speeds. Same Problem.

I've tried overclocking a bit (5%) with no luck.
I've tried manually setting the memory settings (not too sure what needs to be there, but I've tried a lot of different options)
I've totally removed all of the other components so that the only things connected are the components listed above.

Like I said, Asus support has been 0 help

I don't believe it's a bad mobo. I'm sure it would be more problamatic if that was the case. However, I did reduce the settings just to get the OS loaded (WinXp Pro).

Once loaded, I can't run any kind of game without it crashing. Some games run for 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. Some not at all.

These are games that run just fine on my PIII 500Mhz system that I'm replacing. I just mention that hoping it's related to my origianl problem.

Anybody else ever see this and know how to solve it?

[CrowdAds]

[Sandog]

If you can monitor voltages I would check those. Then I would program the BIOS to a newer or earlier version and see how that works. If it's the same then RMA that one for a new P4800E-Deluxe.

[Capt Ron]

switch on James Earl Jones voice effect:

"use the jumper, Luke. Use the jumper."




That's the jumper that clears the CMOS. The overclock failed message is normal anytime the CMOS settings don't match what ever altered state the rest of the BIOS thinks it is in.

Don't forget to PULL THE PLUG OUT OF THE WALL SOCKET before you use the jumper.

[nordicsmak]

Thanks for the replys.

Tried all those suggestions and some new...same problem.

New BIOS came out today...or yesterday. Tried that. no-go.

I've tried manual memory settings to really low settings

I've disabled everything on the motherboard that is not necessary (on board soudn, LAN, etc)

This is a real pain...any other suggestions?

[VoodooAlien]

With everything in BIOS set to default and you just save and exit (reboot) it still gives you the failed overclock error?
Are your memory settings set for SPD (don't manually change timings just yet) and no 'performance modes' are on? (I don't have a P4C800 so I'm not sure what those options are)

[Deer Slayer]

Try this, go to kingston's website and see what timings they recommend for your ram and the 875 chipset. Theese damn 875 mobos are picky about memory timings, too loose or too tight and they're not happy. Good luck, hope it works. Oh yeah, disable pat or any other performance mode along with that AI overclocking crap.

[Pagladashu]

Have you checked whether your processor is getting too hot? If not, then check the temperature of your processor in the bios. May be the throttling is causing this.

[ChuckS]

You have a modem, NIC or something else in the PCI slots? How big's your power supply?

I had a similar problem with a P4B533 the other day with the same error message. Like you, I everything at default settings, including my CPU. I cleared CMOS, then removed everything except the CPU and, memory and video card and restarted. See if that works. If it does, then I think you might have a problem with whatever's in the PCI slots.

My problem reappeared after I reinstalled this brand new cheapo modem I had bought. Put it in and I got the "system failed due to CPU overclocking" messge. Took the modem out, porblem gone.

Never figured out what the couse of it was, but another modem swapped out of another computer solved it. Funny thing was the problem modem works fine in the other computer.

Hope this helps.

[nordicsmak]

OK. Thanks for the replys.


VoodooAlien:
Everything in BIOS is default. Even pulled the jumper to reset.
I've tried both SPD and manuall changes including Kingston recommended changes. I have disabled all performance enhancing options.

p4s8xsux:
I've set the settings to Kingston specs. I really though this would do it, but still....same problem

Pagladashu:
CPU temp is awesome....running at about 29c.

ChuckS:
I have disconnected everything during my test except:
Memory, CPU Fan, PSU.

I've also disabled all the onboard stuff: LAN, Sound, USB, 1394, etc.



Again, thanks for everybody's reply...but it looks like it may be a serious issue. At this point I think it comes down to one of three things:

1) Damaged Mobo

2) Damaged Processor
I don't really think so, cause all the
processor test I run look great.

3) Incompatible Memory:
Even though it's been Kingston tested and approved
for this MoBo. It should just work striaght out of da box.

I'm going to keep this thread going over the weekend. If I can't solve the problem by Monday AM I'm going to RMA the board.

Again, thanks alot for the suggestions. They've all been great. Keep 'em coming, maybe I can avoid a two-week wait for RMA

[JoeBar]

Have u tried both sets of mem slots?

[specmike]

I know it sounds odd but try this. Remove the CPU and reinstall (carefully of course). Then, reboot and reset all of your bios settings. See if it will boot and run. If it will manually shut down before any errors occur, reboot and see what happens.

The next time you get that error, don't reset CMOS or make any changes. Just turn all power off, unplug the PS, and leave it alone for about 10 minutes.

Let us know what happens. Mike.

[nordicsmak]

JoeBar:

I've only got a single stick, and I've tried it in all four slots.

specmike:
Thanks for the input...sounded promising.

I removed the CPU and then replaced it (carfully ).
When it booted, it said "NEW CPU, press F1 to edit BIOS settings"

So I did, and set everything back to defaults.
Rebooted....same problem.

I then powered off....unplugged PSU and waited about 30 minutes (had to grab some grub anyway).

When I booted....same problem.


Also, something else I hadn't noticed before...even when I have the memory manually set to 400Mhz, whe the system boots it states:

512MB(-ECC) DDR 333MHz

My memory is 512MB with ECC DDR 400MHz.

Could that be a clue to my problem?

Thanks again for the tips....keep 'em coming. We're bound to solve this thing eventually.

[specmike]

It sounds as if your MOBO is trying to use its bios recovery function even when it does not need to. What is your entire bios history? I assume that you started with what was loaded by default and then upgraded.

Try this:
Find and flash with bios 1008 Final.

Reboot and see if you have the same problems.

Mike.

[Deer Slayer]

Maybe they shipped you a mobo with a dud cmos battery. I've had similar problems with boards that had bad batteries in them. Go to the store and pick up a 2032 button cell. I like duracell but whatever brand is cheapest will work.

[specmike]

Originally posted by p4s8xsux
Maybe they shipped you a mobo with a dud cmos battery. I've had similar problems with boards that had bad batteries in them. Go to the store and pick up a 2032 button cell. I like duracell but whatever brand is cheapest will work.

A good thought but you could check it without replacing the battery. Even though you are loosing your bios settings, is your system clock time being kept correctly? If it is, your battery is working. Of course a $3 battery is a small cost to eliminate a possible cause. Let us know.

Mike.