Corrupted Management Engine > Overclocking Gone?

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.

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


Edited by akumajou - 21 Jun 2016 at 2:44pm

Can you provide me with a BIOS update that includes a microcode update? Contacting ASRock using their Support Request Form takes a very long time to get a response, and their replies are just simpleton checklist troubleshooting. I really need to get this system fully functional ASAP.

Do you know anyone who works for ASRock that could help me with a firmware solution?

Now I'm worried that the BIOS chip that I ordered is going to exhibit the same problems since it's supposed to be flashed with the latest BIOS.



By the way, I'm not sure what you meant by, "For some reason your board does not have a BIOS update that includes the microcode update available so there is no way for you to fix your current BIOS chip."

To clarify, when I originally bought this motherboard new, I believe it came with BIOS version 1.30 or so. I incrementally updated the BIOS as they became available. I do remember the point at which there was a BIOS update that required leaving the USB drive inserted after restarting. I did not remove the drive, and as far as I know, the update, and for that matter, all updates completed successfully. This problem I'm having now only now manifested after upgrading the RAM a week ago or so. I had been trying to lower the memory timings, but wasn't able to get it stabilized even after adding additional voltage. I believe the last setting I changed was MRC Fast Boot to Disabled in the DRAM Configuration section of UEFI. Prior to getting this new memory, I had never changed that MRC Fast Boot option (I had read disabling it can help with "memory training" if there is such a thing) or the VCCSA setting (I read increasing this could help with stabilizing a memory overclock). I don't know if that specifically had anything to do with it...


Edited by akumajou - 21 Jun 2016 at 2:46pm

I still haven't found a solution. Hopefully, the BIOS chip replacement I ordered will fix it.

I've done all that stuff too, as well as:
-Using UEFI BIOS Updater to modify Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge microcodes in official ASRock BIOS files to various versions/combinations and then flashing them

So you weren't tweaking BIOS settings when the problem started? Which Memtest were you using, Memtest86 (www.memtest86.com), Memtest86+ (www.memtest.org), or MemTest (www.hcidesign.com), and how long had you run it to determine stability? Also, which BIOS version were you running when the problem started? What makes this whole situation all the more disappointing and frustrating is that no one knows for certain what exactly caused the problem, so we have no way to know that it's not going to happen again.

If you need to get a BIOS chip replacement, try searching eBay for your motherboard's model. I bought mine from an eBay store called BIOS Depot.


Edited by akumajou - 21 Jun 2016 at 2:47pm

Good to hear, I was sure it would do the trick.