Crosshair V Formula Z Not Retaining Settings

[EXCellR8]

Got a little problem with my AMD computer... motherboard just started acting up on me after a few years of reliable service. I had been running the FX 8350 at 4.8Ghz every day no problem but now the board is having issues with even stock settings.

Upon every startup or restart the BIOS defaults back to factory settings (everything goes to Auto). I can eventually get the computer to boot up with the defaults but once I fiddle with something in the BIOS or restart it doesn't want to POST again.

I've updated the BIOS to the latest version without any issues and replaced the CMOS battery but the problem persists. Anyone have any ideas before I rip the thing apart and scrap it? Sucks because I just rebuilt this machine not 6 months ago.

 

[LTC8K6]

That could be a PS problem.

 

[EXCellR8]

I suppose it could be the memory too. I actually had two of these boards at one point but sold the other to a friend. It would be unfortunate if I had to replace this one, but I'd probably just use something else until AMD's new platform arrives.

 

[LTC8K6]

Did you check the new battery? Wouldn't be the first time that a new battery was bad.

 

[EXCellR8]

Yes, the new battery works, and is the correct cell type

The board gets hung up on Q-Code 66 which I guess indicates "CPU DXE initialization is started" and one of the LEDs near the main power connector--but is the one for BOOT_DEVICE and not RAM or CPU... doesn't make sense.

I ordered a new BIOS chip for it just in case the one I have is fried. Like I said it's not even retaining settings when I restart.

 

[EXCellR8]

As I wait for the arrival of the new BIOS chip I continue to tinker... I can still get the board to eventually post and boot windows but again, once I restart the machine I get either a code 66 or 99. The same LED lights up however and I can't figure out why.

UPDATE:

I switched RAM kits but that didn't solve the problem. The board is retaining settings now though, which is weird. But once I save and reboot the board doesn't POST again and there is no video. A hard reset usually fixes this but not every time.

 

[RLGL]

I had a processor from AMD screw me over once. Don't rule it out.
I have also had Intel processor failures

 

[EXCellR8]

I'd much rather the CPU fail then the motherboard. That wouldn't be the end of the world but it is quite strange to me that the processor seems to function fine at 4.1ghz when I can get the board to POST.

 

[LTC8K6]

I had a 4790K kick the bucket after a few months of mild use...got an RMA through Intel, and the replacement is still going strong.

 

[EXCellR8]

I think I'll hold off on the RMA until the BIOS chip arrives. If that doesn't fix the issues I am having I will get the cpu serial number and see what AMD support has to say. I've never really had a processor fail on me; I still have a bad feeling it's the board.

 

[EXCellR8]

So I feel a little stupid but I guess the motherboard is fine, as is the CPU. Turns out the board was posting fine after restarting but there was no video output from the displayport of my R9 290X. I grabbed an old monitor and attached it via DVI and viola! It was displaying the BIOS when the other monitor was black and reported no signal.

So now I am wondering why the hell I can't get any video from that port upon a restart. It hasn't done this before so why is it doing it now? Hopefully the graphics card isn't on the fritz because that would mean completely dismantling my cooling system... damn computer.

 

[nerp]

Oh man, at least you're getting closer to solving the issue.

 

[LTC8K6]

So I feel a little stupid but I guess the motherboard is fine, as is the CPU. Turns out the board was posting fine after restarting but there was no video output from the displayport of my R9 290X. I grabbed an old monitor and attached it via DVI and viola! It was displaying the BIOS when the other monitor was black and reported no signal.

So now I am wondering why the hell I can't get any video from that port upon a restart. It hasn't done this before so why is it doing it now? Hopefully the graphics card isn't on the fritz because that would mean completely dismantling my cooling system... damn computer.

Well, that is progress.

Don't feel too stupid. I did the same thing with a mobo. Thought it was bad for a long time, but it was fine the whole time, I just couldn't see it.

 

[EXCellR8]

I am wondering if it's actually software related, and my hardware is just acting accordingly. I did notice that this started after I updated my antivirus but I feel like that wouldn't affect anything. I also noticed that each time this happens, the next successful boot shows the "windows did not start correctly" or whatever it says. So maybe it is driver related?

I've done a ton of fiddling with the board and it's settings and I even got my OC back, so I am not really sure what is going on.