- Apr 14, 2014
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So I attempted a first build this weekend. The specs are:
Intel 4670k - Corsair H110 CPU cooler - Asus Maximus VI Hero mobo - 16gb Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600mhz RAM - EVGA GTX 770 SC - Corsair RM650 PSU
I ran into a myriad of problems and am looking for opinions how to proceed.
Putting the computer together went without incident. However, when I first booted, things went awry quickly.
First, the PSU sparked and released a puff of smoke that also smelled. I noticed the fan on the unit immediately ceased to work. However, the PSU itself was still providing power to the mobo. At this point, the mobo's error LEDs displayed a q code 53, which according to the mobo's manual indicates a "Memory initialization error. Invalid memory type or incompatible memory speed."
I don't know if it was my noob panic, or something else, but instead of trying to futz with the memory chips, I figured I would try updating the BIOS on the mobo via USB flashback (I downloaded the latest BIOS for the mobo via ASUS' website, renamed it based on their specifications, and put it on a FAT32 formatted USB drive). It was only after all this happened that I read that attempting a BIOS update can brick the board.
I then attempted to update the BIOS through the flashback USB port on the mobo. Based on what I read on ASUS' website, if the flashback lights on the I/O panel and mobo flash more quickly than before for about 10 seconds and then cease, it indicates an update failure. I had this happen. When I tried rebooting, the q code 53 was gone, but instead, the system would only display a quick q code 13 ("pre-memory CPU initialization has started") and q code 15 ("pre-memory system agent initialization has started"), then back down to q code 13, and reboot. It did this continuously--I let it go for 5 minutes. The whole sequence of starting up and displaying q code 14 and 15 only took 4-5 seconds. Right before it would reboot, the CPU error LED would light momentarily.
After this, I tried to reset the mobo back to factory default settings by using the CMOS jumper. This did not work. I then tried removing the CMOS battery for more than 20 seconds. This did not work either. I then tried using older BIOS updates from ASUS' website. None of these successfully installed.
At this point, I removed the mobo from the case, reseated the CPU, and connected a different power supply. Still the same result.
This is the current situation. I know now that messing with the BIOS can brick a mobo--that probably happened? I'm also considering the CPU error LED that occurs right before the reboot occurs. I found a forum topic online from someone else who had the same error and they concluded the problem was the CPU. I know the PSU had something screwed up since it sparked and smoked and the fan is dead. I'm just not sure if both the mobo and CPU are also fried, or if it's just the mobo (I assume I should replace the PSU as well). Apologies for the long story and thanks in advance for any advice.
Intel 4670k - Corsair H110 CPU cooler - Asus Maximus VI Hero mobo - 16gb Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600mhz RAM - EVGA GTX 770 SC - Corsair RM650 PSU
I ran into a myriad of problems and am looking for opinions how to proceed.
Putting the computer together went without incident. However, when I first booted, things went awry quickly.
First, the PSU sparked and released a puff of smoke that also smelled. I noticed the fan on the unit immediately ceased to work. However, the PSU itself was still providing power to the mobo. At this point, the mobo's error LEDs displayed a q code 53, which according to the mobo's manual indicates a "Memory initialization error. Invalid memory type or incompatible memory speed."
I don't know if it was my noob panic, or something else, but instead of trying to futz with the memory chips, I figured I would try updating the BIOS on the mobo via USB flashback (I downloaded the latest BIOS for the mobo via ASUS' website, renamed it based on their specifications, and put it on a FAT32 formatted USB drive). It was only after all this happened that I read that attempting a BIOS update can brick the board.
I then attempted to update the BIOS through the flashback USB port on the mobo. Based on what I read on ASUS' website, if the flashback lights on the I/O panel and mobo flash more quickly than before for about 10 seconds and then cease, it indicates an update failure. I had this happen. When I tried rebooting, the q code 53 was gone, but instead, the system would only display a quick q code 13 ("pre-memory CPU initialization has started") and q code 15 ("pre-memory system agent initialization has started"), then back down to q code 13, and reboot. It did this continuously--I let it go for 5 minutes. The whole sequence of starting up and displaying q code 14 and 15 only took 4-5 seconds. Right before it would reboot, the CPU error LED would light momentarily.
After this, I tried to reset the mobo back to factory default settings by using the CMOS jumper. This did not work. I then tried removing the CMOS battery for more than 20 seconds. This did not work either. I then tried using older BIOS updates from ASUS' website. None of these successfully installed.
At this point, I removed the mobo from the case, reseated the CPU, and connected a different power supply. Still the same result.
This is the current situation. I know now that messing with the BIOS can brick a mobo--that probably happened? I'm also considering the CPU error LED that occurs right before the reboot occurs. I found a forum topic online from someone else who had the same error and they concluded the problem was the CPU. I know the PSU had something screwed up since it sparked and smoked and the fan is dead. I'm just not sure if both the mobo and CPU are also fried, or if it's just the mobo (I assume I should replace the PSU as well). Apologies for the long story and thanks in advance for any advice.
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