Computer Refusing to Boot After I Overclocked CPU

Matthew-san

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Feb 25, 2014
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I usually overclock my GPU and CPU to get the best performance out of my games but I don't usually overclock my GPU and CPU at the same time because I only have a 600 watt PSU to support some high-end components.

For the sake of helping me understand why my computer won't properly boot here's my specs. GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 4GB Superclocked w/ACX Cooler. CPU: AMD FX-8320. Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P. RAM: Corsair Vengeance Blue 8GB 1600 MHz. HDD: Hitachi 1 TB Hbecause DS721010CLA332. Case fans: Three 120mm fans. Special cooling: Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler. Lastly, and what I think to be the culprit behind my computer not booting is my PSU which is a Thermaltake TR2 600W.

I was probably pushing my 600 watt PSU just running those parts at stock speed but I've been able to push my luck and I've had my FX-8320 overclocked to 4.25 GHz and my EVGA 770 running slightly higher than it's stock speed. I used my system, with those two parts overclocked, for several months without issue. Earlier today I decided I'd try to go for a little more, and that was a huge mistake. I clocked my 770 at 100 MHz faster and the memory by 300 MHz over the factory clocked settings. My computer ran fine until I overclocked my FX-8320 to 4.6 GHz. I played Batman: Arkham Origins for about 40 seconds or so before my computer froze so I restarted my computer and I had planned on opening the BIOS to lower the speed of my CPU back down 4.25 but my Bios never completed loaded. After the beep at start up (I forgot what the pre-boot process is called lol) I hit the delete key, watched as the title of my Bios appeared on the screen, and then my computer shut off.

Now my computer keeps trying to restart and get through the boot process but doesn't boot, it'll actually beep and show the Gigabyte logo for my motherboard but then shut off and try to reboot again. What I suspect is happening is that between all my components and my overclocked CPU and GPU to much power is being pulled through my PSU which is causing my PC not to boot. If that's true then that really stinks because I can't change the clock speed of either my CPU or GPU if I can't get into the BIOS. Worst case scenario...my CPU and/or Motherboard was broken due to my overly ambitious overclocking.

Please help! I use my computer for so much. I do all my gaming, schoolwork, I watch movies, surf the internet, and do much more with this computer. It'll mean so much to me if someone could give my advice on how to get my computer to boot again and work just as good as it always has. I don't care what I have to do to get it to work, even if I have to take it all apart and put back together again.
 
Solution
and further to that,when overclocking,bump it a little at a time and check the stability of your oc with something like prime 95 or occt.

Steel_Nugget

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I'm no professional on this type of thing, but if it was the OC that is causing the problem (Not a broken part) wouldn't it have to boot since the CPU isn't under load, and the GPU OC is on software? this is what I thought of, but again I'm not professional, and have only OCed one CPU in my life.

 

Matthew-san

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You may be correct Steel_Nugget, I assumed that it was the overclocking that was causing my PC not boot simply because it stopped working after I had overclocked to a much higher setting than what I usually had it on. It could be an entirely different problem though, but I don't have much clue what it'd be because I haven't had this computer not boot before.
 

Steel_Nugget

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Sorry thats all I could help with. All i can think of to do is to get another FX CPU to test whether its the MB or the CPU causing the problem. But that itself could cause a problem with the overclock or something.

 

Matthew-san

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Every bit of help is welcome, eventually I'll find a solution. I just really hope I don't have to buy a new CPU or Motherboard because I had intended to use some saved up cash on a new monitor and case.
 

Godto

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reset your bios

unplug the power.. take out battery .. take out ram .... wait 1,2 min .. then put it back .. should reset to factory

i don't know your mother board but most will have a jumper where you can reset your bios.

then go back in OC till your heart stop ... hehehe
 

Matthew-san

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Alight, thanks Godto and aldan. I've heard and seen a little bit about manually resetting the Bios when I was looking into installing a new motherboard a few months ago. Isn't the battery on most new motherboards usually a silver circle thing on the motherboard? I'm pretty sure that that is the battery but I'm not quite sure how to reset it but if I rember correctly it's a fairly simple process. I'll look up a guide on youtube on how to reset the battery just to be safe. Hopefully that should get my computer up and running again. From now on, I'm going to be much more cautious when overclocking my PC components.
 

Godto

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yes it like a watch battery but little bigger about size of a penny

unplug power .. take out battery and ram .... that for clear the memory ( on the safe side) ..wait 1,2 min then put it back .. remember to touch the case for electric static
 

Matthew-san

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My computer is booted and running great again, followed your instructions aldan and everything worked out perfectly after words. I just had to clear the cMOS and replace the battery with a new one. The only thing not working right now is Google Chrome and it's saying "Cannot connect to the real www.google.com." It's saying something like if I were to visit www.google.com then I might share private information with an attacker. Anybody have a clue what's going on? It's not a big deal right now, I'm just glad my computer is working again. Thanks for everyone's help!
 

Matthew-san

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Yeah I've still got some learning to do when it comes to overclocking. I know the basics but when it comes to changing the RAM timings and the voltage I get confused so I need to study some more before I try to attempt to go for 4.6 GHz on a 3.5 GHz CPU, with air-cooling! LOL
 

Speezquick

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hey i was overclocking as the stupid 12 year old i am i watched a vid on how to overclock Intel cpu thinking the voltages would be basicly the same, so i added 0.14 volt but that was apparently way to little as the vid my friend showed me after i made the mistake was specificly towards fx 8320 or 8350 as i have, but anyways the computer Shut off and now i can turn it on with the components working idk if the cpu is but my mouse is terning on and off screen is not turning on no signal and keyboard not lighting up just all the parts and i cant find the bios battery on my 970 gaming board