Corrupted Management Engine Causing Missing Overclock Options?

[Akumajou]

Recently, I upgraded from 8GB (2x4GB) 1866MHz RAM to 16GB (2x8GB) 2133MHz. At some point during the process of testing different memory timings and voltages on this new RAM, memory speeds above 1333, CPU ratios above 37, XMP, and a few other less important settings disappeared from the BIOS/UEFI. In the case of CPU Ratio, the Per Core setting (not that I ever used it) is gone, and setting All Core to anything over 37 reverts to 37 (I had been using 45 for years, so I know this wasn't previously a problem). XMP is gone and the only available DRAM Frequencies are 1066 and 1333 (previously, I was using 2133).

I've read elsewhere from people with similar issues that this is supposedly caused by the Intel Management Engine that's embedded (or whatever) in the BIOS/UEFI becoming corrupted, but don't know if this is the case.

I've tried flashing all previous BIOS versions for my motherboard back to 1.30 (starting at L2.31A, which is what I had been using all along), and replacing the old RAM. None of which changed anything. I've contacted ASRock technical support, but they're clueless. I seem to be far more technically proficient than they are.

What can I do to fix this? I've already ordered a new BIOS chip, but I'd like to know what caused the problem to begin with and/or how to fix it so that this doesn't happen again.

Motherboard: ASRock Extreme3 Gen3
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K
RAM: G.Skill 8GB (2x4GB) 1866MHz/G.Skill 16GB (2x8GB) 2133MHz
Video Card: Sapphire Vapor-X R9 290
Sound Card: Creative X-Fi Titanium
HD: Samsung 850 Pro 256GB SSD
OS: Microsoft Windows 10 x64

 

[vailr]

Try using this diagnosis tool:
http://www.win-raid.com/t840f39-ME-Analyzer-Intel-Engine-Firmware-Analysis-Tool.html
The Intel MEI firmware is usually NOT changed/affected during a normal bios firmware flash. Intel opted to keep the MEI firmware flash as a separate procedure.
See:
http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/54860-about-intel-management-engine-firmware.html
The latest version for such as your Z68 chipset board, seems to be:
ME Firmware_8.1.51.1471
The MEI firmware flash would be done via a DOS mode command prompt (Admin), while running Windows.

Note: there's not any branding difference for the Intel MEI firmware. In other words: the MEI firmware for Asrock is also going to be the same for Asus, Gigabyte, or any other brand of board using the same Intel chipset version. However: there can be a differentiation between MEI firmwares designed for Z or H chipsets vs. "corporate" Q or B chipsets. Z or H chipsets use 1.5 Mb MEI firmwares, while "corporate" chipsets use 5 Mb MEI firmwares.