ASrock Z97 Extreme6 Error(s) A2 and 99

You need to update the BIOS to use the new 4th processors - you have 3 choices:
1) Put an older 1150 socket CPU in and update the BIOS
2) Take it to a computer shop and have them update it for you (they typically charge $25)
3) Send it to ASROCK to update the BIOS (you will be without for 2-3 weeks)

Can't he just download the BIOS flash update onto a usb stick from some other device and boot up the new PC with that following the instructions?

If the CPU isn't working properly with the mobo, you can't even flash the BIOS on most boards. It is a coin toss whether to buy a cheap processor that has the same socket or pay someone to flash it sometimes. I hate sending it back to the manufacturer, it always takes too long.

any update or answer? having pretty much same rig and problem...

Having the exact same experience with the AC version of the Z97 Extreme6... Any update on whethere a BIOS flash helped or was needed? Or other solutions?

Z97 Extreme6 needed a minimum BIOS version of 1.30, to run a haswell-refresh CPU

The "AC" board is compatible to the 4690k from the 1st version on, no update needed for that.

Clear CMOS is always a good idea
read manual how to

Thanks for the reply helpstar

This is my first build, so I am sorry if I sound like a noob.

These are my components:

Intel Core i7-4790
ASRock Z97 Extreme6/ac
Kingston Fury Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866
Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB (OS)
Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB
Sapphire Radeon R9 290X 8GB Vapor-X
Corsair HX850i
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit)
Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Atech Flas​h Technolo​gy PRO-77U​ Flash Rea​der USB 3.​0
Phanteks Enthoo Pro
Microsoft Sidewinder X4

Just for full disclosure, this is the rundown of what I've done so far

I installed only the following components initially... The CPU and stock HSF, a mobo speaker, a mouse and keyboard, HDMI cable to the monitor, both sticks of RAM in the A2/B2 slots as the manual states(I have read it multiple times now), the 250GB SSD I am planning to use for the OS in the SATA0 port(intel chipset), and the power supply, including the 24 pin, 8 pin CPU power, and power to the SSD. This is all outside the case.

Inital attempt to POST stopped with error A2
"Problem related to IDE or SATA devices. Please re-installIDE and SATA devices. If the problem still exists, please clear CMOS and try removing all SATA devices".
I powered down, re-seated the SATA cable for the SDD at both ends, hit the clear CMOS button but still received the A2 error. Then unplugged the SATA cable for the SSD at the board, cleared the CMOS and powered up again. No more A2 error.

Now receiving error code 99
"Problem related to PCI-E devices. Please re-install PCI-Edevices or try installing them in other slots. If the problem still exists, please remove all PCI-E devices or try using another VGA card".
I cleared the CMOS again, powered up and am receiving the same code. The only device connected to any PCI-E slots is at the mini-PCI Express Slot for WiFi + BT module which was pre-installed. I went ahead and removed that, just in case, cleared the CMOS again, same code. I then re-installed the module.

Other steps I have taken
1. Checked that the Mobo Power connection (24 pin) is firmly connected.
2. Checked that the CPU Power connection (8 pin) is firmly connected.
3. Removed all but one stick of RAM, currently placed in the A2 slot, though I have moved this stick to each slot as suggested on Tom's hardware, clearing the CMOS and restarting each time.
4. Pulled everything except the CPU and HSF to verify power and got the expected series of 3 beeps indicating no memory installed.
5. Re- installed just the 1 stick of RAM and got the expected d7 error for no mouse/keyboard. The re-installed just the keyboard only using the onboard Vertical Type A USB 2.0 (USB1). Keyboard has power.

This is where I currently sit...

Oh, do I need to pull the CMOS battery to fully clear, or is hitting the 'clear CMOS' button on the I/O panel sufficient?

clear cmos button:
"his function is workable only when you power of your computer and unplug the power
supply."
all LEDs have to be off.
Was your power cord disconnected while pressing the button for a view seconds?

I prefere the jumper to clear cmos, but the button should work too.

On what surface is the motherboard lying, while testing? use a non conducting surface like wood. Do not use the ESD foil, in which it came with.

install the R9 290x card and connect the hdmi cable to it.

I had the board still in the foam packaging in which it was shipped... non-conductive.

I did have the board powered down when hitting the CMOS button, but didn't have the power supply disconnected. Will try that and let you know if any progress is made.

Thanks again

use another surface
if it´s ESD material, it could be a problem

Did anyone solve this issue? I have a similar build and am experiencing the same 99 error.

did you install all into a case?

did you try all above?
especially:
Problem related to PCI-E devices. Please re-install PCI-E
devices or try installing them in other slots. If the problem
still exists, please remove all PCI-E devices or try using
another VGA card.

I just built my system with exact same mobo, core i7 4790K, G. Skill Trident X 2x8GB memories and tried to boot with only these items, and I am stuck at code 99, just like op. I'm sitting at exactly the same step. I tried checking for loose connections, bent pins, memory sticks and I can't find anything wrong with them.

I really wish ASRock would provide more information than just some loose description like "error with pci-e". I contacted ASRock support but I don't know if I'll hear back from them.

Did you try without a video card, with just one memory stick, without any USB devices, outside the case on a non conducting surface like wood?

is it the Z97 Extreme6 or the Z97 Extreme6/AC?
remove the wifi module

Is the 4-pin PCIE_PWR1 plugged in?
If yes: remove it
If not: connect it

Is a M.2 expansion card installed? remove it

clear cmos / reset BIOS by jumper

If ASRock doesn´t have a solution for that, I would get another motherboard.

Could you take pictures of the installed board? Maybe we can see something odd
upload them to an image hoster and post the link from it

Hi helpstar, thanks for your help.

It is Z97 Extreme6 and I don't have the 4--pin PCIE_PWR1 plugged in nor m.2 card installed. I've also tried clearing CMOS using the jumpere before but it didn't resolve the issue.

My keyboard is the only USB device attached, and when I take it off, I get "d7", which I believe means keyboard/mouse not recognized. Otherwise, I get 99 all the time.

I can try to take it out of the case tonight and test it on a different surface and also take a picture at the same time,

Please remove the CPU and look very closely at the pins on the slot. I had very similar issue a few weeks back and i posted on this forum...

It turned out that the board came with a bent pin (right in the middle of healthy pins).

I already looked for bent pins last night, but i can certainly try again. Thanks!

OK, now my machine is working and I wanted to report back what happened.

First, ASRock support got back to me within 12 hours of contacting them so kudos to them. The support guy made a few suggestions, including to check for display because he said the monitor should be displaying something under code 99, while mine didn't.

Lo and behold, it was set to DVI because I was using it to connect to my old computer. I expected it to change automatically when I used HDMI cable on the new computer but apparently it didn't. I manually set the monitor input to HDMI, turned on the machine again, voila!

I saw "BIOS selection" screen, which basically says press DEL for bios, F1 to continue, etc. Unfortunately, I didn't check whether code was still at 99, which would mean that it was just a display issue for me, or it was changed to something else.

The Dr. Debug code now shows "Ab" when I'm in the BIOS screen, but ASRock support said to ignore these codes once the MB posts.

Yes I did - I worked it out eventually by resetting the CMOS and enabling legacy usb support (don't know why that fixed my error, but there you go). Thanks!