Windows won't boot with previously working overclock

Flibbles · 13 Jul 2012 at 17:52

So I've been having a bit of a bad day..

Firstly, my SSD failed - suddenly got an 'f4' BSOD and then POST hangs for like 15-20 seconds trying to detect it, and eventually bypasses it. As a result Windows won't load.

Then, I notice a strange rapid clicking noise that starts when POST starts detecting SATA drives which doesn't disappear even when I alternately disconnect the SSD and mechanical drives. It produces the click when either are connected. The click suddenly disappeared later.

THEN, I installed Windows on my mechanical but all of a sudden Windows BSOD's at the loading screen with my standard 3.8ghz overclock on my i7 920 which has been stable for two years. It will now only boot Windows at stock speeds.

I have managed to successfully run Prime when on stock speeds so I don't think it's anything to do with the PSU? Or is it? Any ideas?

wazza300 · 13 Jul 2012 at 17:56

try doing a full cmos clear,leave out mb battery for 30+ mins,then try

make note of all bios/oc settings first as it will reset them

Rooster212 · 13 Jul 2012 at 17:57

Does sound like it could be a PSU problem, however it could also be down to a motherboard.

Try a memory test (memtest86) of course as it's always possible that could be issue (although it seems unlikely in this case).

Did you manage to work out where the clicking was coming from? As a clicking sound I would usually associate with a dying hard drive.

mranderson · 13 Jul 2012 at 18:00

SSD's dont fail like this so I just wonder if your mobo is still ok

Flibbles · 13 Jul 2012 at 18:05

It better not be the motherboard - I was planning to wait until Haswell before upgrading

I'll run memtest - see if that turns up anything.

I've got the side off the case now so if that clicking returns, I'll figure out where it's coming from. Can't be good though.

It's definitely not down to the drives though because it happens when either of my two are connected. ugh.

I hope it's the PSU but that doesn't explain why the SSD failed? does it? Plus it runs Prime on stock just fine. I'm beginning to think it's a mobo issue

Flibbles · 13 Jul 2012 at 20:16

Fixed! After the SSD died I installed Windows with stock bios settings then activated my overclock profile afterwards; what I had failed to notice is that the HD was set to IDE mode in the bios when I installed Windows and my overclock profile used AHCI. The result was a BSOD. Now I'm reinstalling Windows with my overclock profile active.

The SSD is definitely dead - I installed it in a laptop and it just froze at POST. :/ Does anyone know if I can somehow fix it? Incidentally it was idle on the desktop for about an hour and as soon as I moved the mouse it threw a BSOD at me and then failed to POST.

EDIT: It is a 60gb OCZ Vertex 2

Rooster212 · 13 Jul 2012 at 21:34

Try upgrading the firmware and doing a zero level write on the SSD, otherwise its likely dead... or check if it's still RMA'able (doubt it tho)