I am just learning the ins and outs of overclocking and do not pretend to be an expert. In my acknowledgement of my lack of knowledge, I figured I'd try the "EasyTune6" that came with my motherboard software a little bit. It runs natively in Windows 7 that I am using and the concept is that you can push buttons to help with preset overclocks. Well, as I was playing around with this, I pushed the button for a low grade overclock (i7-920 2.67 GHz to 2.80 GHz--yes, I know...I do have a very good CPU cooler installed).Well, it didnt' like something I did and Windows froze requiring a hard reboot. At this point I found that Windows just would not start...even the Windows setup disk would not start. Eventually I got around this by loading the Gigabyte's board "fail safe" BIOS settings that got me in to Windows. Then I removed this program and reset everything. I presume this program changed something in the BIOS making the system unstable.So my warning--there is value to doing your overclocking yourself in the BIOS and maybe even danger to some aspects of these programs. Had I been making the changes in the BIOS myself, I would have known what I changed and been able to set it back to my old setting. However, using this program I had no clue what had changed and it took me some time (and sweat and tears) to come to the conclusion of the BIOS. This isn't a flat out condemnation of these programs, but I thought I'd share my experience so that others learning this stuff the same way I am wouldn't enounter the same trying situation. Personally, I think I will be doing a lot of reading and then sticking to changes within the BIOS myself.

I am just learning the ins and outs of overclocking and do not pretend to be an expert. In my acknowledgement of my lack of knowledge, I figured I'd try the "EasyTune6" that came with my motherboard software a little bit. It runs natively in Windows 7 that I am using and the concept is that you can push buttons to help with preset overclocks. Well, as I was playing around with this, I pushed the button for a low grade overclock (i7-920 2.67 GHz to 2.80 GHz--yes, I know...I do have a very good CPU cooler installed).Well, it didnt' like something I did and Windows froze requiring a hard reboot. At this point I found that Windows just would not start...even the Windows setup disk would not start. Eventually I got around this by loading the Gigabyte's board "fail safe" BIOS settings that got me in to Windows. Then I removed this program and reset everything. I presume this program changed something in the BIOS making the system unstable.So my warning--there is value to doing your overclocking yourself in the BIOS and maybe even danger to some aspects of these programs. Had I been making the changes in the BIOS myself, I would have known what I changed and been able to set it back to my old setting. However, using this program I had no clue what had changed and it took me some time (and sweat and tears) to come to the conclusion of the BIOS. This isn't a flat out condemnation of these programs, but I thought I'd share my experience so that others learning this stuff the same way I am wouldn't enounter the same trying situation. Personally, I think I will be doing a lot of reading and then sticking to changes within the BIOS myself.

Next time OC causes your pc to crash and cant boot, i think easier to to remove the power from your PC by unplugging and leave it for a few minutes so bios can reset itself.Failing that remove the cmos battery of your pC for few minutes then put it back and boot.Always better to OC from bios anyway, cause many of the settings in bios do auto, ocing from bios is no longer a science. Change what you know and leave all else on auto, till you know more.i always used to just turn HT off and set mu BLCK clock, till i found that increasing vcore helps to increase stability at higher OC settings, and if you cooling is hood for it, you can keep increasing vcore to within safe limits for your system.my 3.8Ghz OC on i7920 was more stable after i tuned vcore up from 1.35 to 1.41 Bios is the place to OC, and its much easier with the mobos of today. And for everything else you have google and youtube.

I spent about 3 weeks overclocking just a little at a time. before that i spent over a month reading the forums ect. Bump up just a little at a time and run somthing like prime and use coretemp or hardware monitor to watch your temps. The near 2 months of reading and trial and error were well worth it. I managed to get my amd 64 windsor edition up 7% and it is 100% stable with temps at 56c. Just like you I have never oc'before. read read read...search and then read more. it really is very simple to use the bios and its much safer.Google your processer and overclock you will find other peoples oc settings ect. and you can get some idea of what your up against. each processor is like a car clutch no two are alike..Stay clear of windows based oc software!!

Next time OC causes your pc to crash and cant boot, i think easier to to remove the power from your PC by unplugging and leave it for a few minutes so bios can reset itself.Failing that remove the cmos battery of your pC for few minutes then put it back and boot.

Unless the CMOS battery is dead, simply unplugging the power cable won't reset the BIOS.