Computer motherboard lights blinking and beeps. Videos and pictures included.

genardas · Dec 3, 2013

My first ever build

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Ok so I start up the computer and this is what happens:

First the CPU_LED lights up and turns off (never shows up again)
After the DRAM led quickly blinks (disappears quick and never shows up again)
Next comes the VGA_LED (same speed as the CPU_LED, also disappears after and never shows up again)
Then 1 beep happens in between the VGA_LED and BOOT_DEVICE_LED

Next CASE 1:BOOT_DEVICE_LED comes up and stays turned on for the longest time out of all of the led's and then turns off
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8kwCz93ngc(note: sounds are not as harsh in real life and no I did not fart that was my chair

)

or

CASE 2: multiple beeps and BOOT_DEVICE_LED stays

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSPQtiKcs90 (note: sounds are not as harsh in real life)

Some pictures maybe there is some cables I didnt plug in? Not sure. http://imgur.com/4YgQQwo,YokvY1n,xAc4Rrj,Jfwd0nF,WbF4ZBs,NfEKDpr,DlLhYnh

Since the BOOT_DEVICE_LED light stays on in case 2 could it be my hardrive? I have an ssd coming tomorrow so I could test it with that.

Thanks so much for you're help. I am thinking of also trying to reapply the cpu cooler and build it outside of the case first and test it part by part.

Also note I can only put my ram in the yellow dims cause the cooler blocks the black ones by just a smidge.
Yes I know my cable management is messy...

Benevolence · Dec 3, 2013

When troubleshooting a motherboard, always try to make your problem as simple as possible. Unplug everything from the board except RAM, CPU + Cooler, and the power supply. Also check around the board for loose casters, screws etc that could be shorting out the board, especially make sure it's not making contact with the back of the case. Once it's narrowed down to CPU, MoBo, PSU, RAM, see if you can post. No need for video yet, just gotta see if it POSTs/beeps once. If good add other components one at a time.

If no good...
Try swapping the slots for the RAM. Also make sure there is a CPU fan plugged into the CPU FAN header on the motherboard, a lot of newer ones won't start up for programmed fear of toasting your CPU. The Single Beep case is the motherboard Posting, this is good. The repeated beeps (don't have sound at the moment) is usually a POST code. Write down the number of short/long beeps, then cross check with motherboard documentation. 90% of the time it's a RAM issue. You can also try clearing the CMOS since it's a new build. In fact start with the RAM, and try a CMOS reset next. Also make sure all of the power connectors are in the right places.

genardas · Dec 3, 2013

Benevolence :

When troubleshooting a motherboard, always try to make your problem as simple as possible. Unplug everything from the board except RAM, CPU + Cooler, and the power supply. Also check around the board for loose casters, screws etc that could be shorting out the board, especially make sure it's not making contact with the back of the case. Once it's narrowed down to CPU, MoBo, PSU, RAM, see if you can post. No need for video yet, just gotta see if it POSTs/beeps once. If good add other components one at a time.

If no good...
Try swapping the slots for the RAM. Also make sure there is a CPU fan plugged into the CPU FAN header on the motherboard, a lot of newer ones won't start up for programmed fear of toasting your CPU. The Single Beep case is the motherboard Posting, this is good. The repeated beeps (don't have sound at the moment) is usually a POST code. Write down the number of short/long beeps, then cross check with motherboard documentation. 90% of the time it's a RAM issue. You can also try clearing the CMOS since it's a new build. In fact start with the RAM, and try a CMOS reset next. Also make sure all of the power connectors are in the right places.

Should I still leave in the front panel connectors. Also should I do this outside of the case or in the case? Does it matter if its and 1a and 1b or 2a and 2b slots? I have it in 2a 2b for 2 sticks of ram.

Benevolence · Dec 3, 2013

The front panel connectors will make it easier to power on, otherwise you can short the pwm headers with a paperclip or something if you have to take it out of the case. If it doesn't work inside the case, take it out and put it on a piece of cardboard, check around for metal that could short the board out in the case etc... Usually pairs of ram go next to each other in the case, but if they are labeled 1a 1b etc, pair them up by number first and experiment with the ordering. You can also try one stick at a time to see if it will POST.
Another thing to try is booting without any ram in it at all. If it gets mad and starts bleeping at you (computer swearing?) then the CPU is most likely OK. If it is stuck in this pre-post loop, then either it's the CPU (unlikely) or the motherboard. It could also be the PSU, but those Corsair Gold Cert ones are really solid, and unlikely to be busted out of the box.
The point is to only connect the components you need to troubleshoot.
Also clear the CMOS by unplugging the power cord and bridging the CMOS jumpers, or removing the CMOS battery for 10 minutes with the power off.
If all else fails, remove the CPU and check the LGA for damaged pins. You'll need a magnifying glass, or a 10MP + camera to look at the pins. Clean off and reapply the thermal paste if you have to remove the heatsink from the CPU.

genardas · Dec 3, 2013

Benevolence :

Ok thanks. Im going to try all that hopefully wednesday and il have my cousin come over who built a pc himself and maybe he'll be able to help me. I will report back asap.

Thanks for responding BTW!

EDIT: what does clearing the cmos do? And is it required. Just wondering it seems complicated.

Benevolence · Dec 3, 2013

I never did ask, can you boot into BIOS? I wrote all of these steps assuming you can't...
If you can get into BIOS, and think it's a boot device that's hanging you up, try making a bootable USB device to scan your hard drives, or use a boot disk that (probably) came with your drives.
http://www.hdsentinel.com/usbboot.php

Also the step with the beeping only works if you have a post speaker built into your case.

genardas · Dec 3, 2013

Benevolence :

OOPS I accidently clicked choose as best solution. If anyone can tell me how to undo that, that would be great. I have a post speaker built into the case and I cant get into the bios, nothing shows up on the monitor.

Benevolence · Dec 5, 2013

OK so please write back with what steps you have completed so far. Your main goal is to get the board to POST. There are only a few components to test individually at this point, so please follow the steps to isolate the cause. Also try swapping your RAM around, as some DDR3 dual channel kits will only work in the right order. You may have to insert the pair starting with the second slot from the CPU slot 1 (closest is slot 0) and slot 3 (4th from the CPU).
Also a bios reset is a good step to try if you haven't already. Unplug the computer and remove the CMOS battery for about 10 minutes.

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