Re-installing Windows 7 trying to fix some problems

[Blín D'ñero]

That PC has been off current 5 minutes shy of 2 hours. (19: 55 ~ 21: 50)
Hooked AC powerconnection back on PSU, booted up and: SUCCES.

[Blín D'ñero]

Next day. Fresh bootup. GLORIOUS SUCCESS.
I can now conclude that it was caused by the CPU-speed controlling dynamics of Intel Speedstep, which works within Windows.

The issue was triggered by my unusual overclock while Speedstep was enabled; by raising the baseclock i created a disbalance in the Speedstep world... And maybe the values in Windows Registry are not dynamic but from the CMOS state when you install Windows? That would mean Speedstep isn't intelligent. It probably means also that if you want to use it you must only enable it after you have completely settled your overclocks and leave it at that forever, and then a fresh Windows install to seal it. But if you change videocard to a newer faster one, with different powerconsuming habits you have to disable it again. Better leave it disabled at all times. Unless of course you run the whole PC at stock. But then you wouldn't be reading this.

I remember having had a similar issue 2 years ago (the freeze at startup, without the fan spinning) when i changed videocards from 4870X2 to this pair of 5870's. I then fixed it by lowering the baseclock and using the 21x multiplier which essentially is a permanent turboboost. But i should have never re-enabled Speedstep in the first place. Keep it off.

On AMD motherboards it is the Cool'n Quiet function, disable it.

If you want Speedstep / EIST and C1E functions (or the AMD equivalents) enabled do it after you changed videocards, done your overclocks and installed a fresh Windows (you should do anyway after changing videocards). For system stability, better leave them off alltogether.

[Blín D'ñero]

After 3 days, the problem came back.

I am now reinstalling Windows, made a few essential changes in BIOS. As usual, trying to do it completely right this time. I always think i am.
◦ACPI 2.0 Support: [Enabled]

Since the option to "Hybernate=never" is there in Power Options, i do not use the cmd prompt to disable it (i did last time). There is a hyberfil.sys of 9½GB i think should be gone. I'll see later what to do with it.

[Blín D'ñero]

• I have updated the BIOS (to 1003, no need for 1202), problem persisted
• Booted with BIOS defaults (no overclock and all on Auto), problem persisted
• Returned to 2 years stable manual overclock settings and booted, problem persisted.

I have now reseated the PCI-E powerplugs: On my Corsair HX850, there are two pairs (at least i think that the two next to each other are a "pair" but there is no ducumentation about it):
A+B
C+D
I had connected A+C to card 1 and B+D to card 2.
Ahem! I reseated them to the correct (i think) order: A+B on card 1 and card 2 gets C+D.
Cold boot instant success.
I so hope it stays this way.

[Blín D'ñero]

From almost two hours being shutoff, cold boot is instant success.

[Blín D'ñero]

Two hours off, cold boot returns the problem again.
I have three options left:

• Continuing changing BIOS settings
• not installing SP1.
• switching card 1 and 2.

I upped ■QPI/DRAM Core Voltage: [1.45000]

[Blín D'ñero]

Despite the BIOS tweaks, cold boot today was failure.
And i said before, it also happened with setup defaults.
So i disconnected AC power.
I took out, cleaned and reseated the RAM modules, and cleaned the CPU cooler.
Switched the videocards. Card 1 had never been out its slot since 2 years. Now card 2 has become 1.
From this cold boot instant success.

IF failing comes back, my left over option will be:
Format/reinstall Win7 - this time no SP1. + this time no Catalyst 12.1a preview or 11.12 WHQL, but the last WHQL that i used when everything was still well, Cat 11.11 WHQL.
But i hope the switching did it.

[Blín D'ñero]

After 1¼ hour off current.
Cold boot instant success.

[Blín D'ñero]

After almost 2 hours off current (and the cable disconnected from the PSU).
Cold boot success. But it started with a high fan spinning even before POST. Never had that before.

[Blín D'ñero]

After 1 hour off current (and the cable disconnected from the PSU).
Cold boot instant success.