Corrupted Management Engine Causing Missing Overclock Options?

[Akumajou]

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. I've contacted ASRock technical support, but they're clueless. I seem to be far more technically proficient than they are.

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

 

[Ferrum Master]

If mei is corrupted do a complete power off. AC off for few mins.

Only then MEI will be loaded again from the SPI Flash.

 

[Caring1]

Isn't the management engine one of the chipset drivers?

 

[Akumajou]

If mei is corrupted do a complete power off. AC off for few mins.

Only then MEI will be loaded again from the SPI Flash.

Already tried that (removed CMOS battery, changed CMOS Clear jumper, disconnected power cord) for about an hour as per a sticky post in the ASRock forum regarding BIOS issues. No change. The stickied thread suggested a minimum of 10 minutes in that state and up to four hours. I didn't want to wait four hours... unless someone is certain that would make a difference.

Isn't the management engine one of the chipset drivers?

You're thinking of the Intel Management Engine Interface which is Windows-specific, I believe. I'm talking about the Intel Management Engine which is part of the BIOS.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Well you can try to update the MEI itself using intel flash tools.

 

[Akumajou]

Well you can try to update the MEI itself using intel flash tools.

I've tried that too.

From what I'm hearing now, I'm not even sure the ME is the problem. Apparently, ASRock released BIOS updates at some point for Intel 6 Series motherboards to support Ivy Bridge CPUs, and that may have caused some kind of incompatibility with Sandy Bridge processors. Despite my system working fine with the same BIOS version for years, I guess upgrading my RAM and/or experimenting with timings, voltage, etc. (perhaps specifically the MRC Fast Boot or VCCSA settings, which I hadn't previously experimented with) triggered the manifestation of said incompatibility. I don't even know if the BIOS chip replacement that I ordered will help since it will probably have the same version flashed onto it.

This is depressing...

 

[Ferrum Master]

I've tried that too.

From what I'm hearing now, I'm not even sure the ME is the problem. Apparently, ASRock released BIOS updates at some point for Intel 6 Series motherboards to support Ivy Bridge CPUs, and that may have caused some kind of incompatibility with Sandy Bridge processors. Despite my system working fine with the same BIOS version for years, I guess upgrading my RAM and/or experimenting with timings, voltage, etc. (perhaps specifically the MRC Fast Boot or VCCSA settings, which I hadn't previously experimented with) triggered the manifestation of said incompatibility. I don't even know if the BIOS chip replacement that I ordered will help since it will probably have the same version flashed onto it.

This is depressing...

You can try UBU and mod the bios... replacing the CPU microcodes. There are known older codes for sandy bridge that needs a bit less voltage for the same frequency. Proven on my board!