New computer build, Boot Device LED and VGA LED solid red no display

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 21, 2014

I recently purchased a bunch of computer parts for a build, I have been having problems with the external build. When I boot my computer everything seems to run fin except for the fact that the VGA LED is solid red, the boot device led is solid red and I cannot get adisplay on my monitor. I have tried plugging an HDMI cable and also a VGA cable with a DVI converter. My specs are as follows.

Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth 990fx R2.0
CPU: AMD FX 6300 Black Edition
Graphics Card: XFX Radeon HD 6770
RAM: G skill trident x 16gbs (2 sticks of 8)
Power Supply: corsair cx750.

I have already RMA'd the motherboard and the CPU, waited a month to get them back and I am receiving this error while attempting the external build. This is also my first build and noob friendly terms are appreciated.

alexoiu · Dec 21, 2014

If VGA led is on, it means that the graphics card does not work. Have you connected the 6 pin PCIe power cable to the graphics card?

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 21, 2014

alexoiu :

Yes I made sure the PCI e cable was connected and I also tried every other graphics card port on the MB. The graphics card is a few years old and hasn't had use in about 3 years because of me leaving for the military so I wouldn't be surprised if it's the problem. I did however remove the card and tried booting it and the only light that remained solid red was the boot device LED, I'm not sure if this could be another issue or it is because my MB doesn't have onboard graphics

alexoiu · Dec 21, 2014

This makes me wonder if the BIOS does support the CPU. Check a sticker on the board that looks like
http://www.guru3d.com/miraserver/images/2011/990fx-sabertooth/IMG_4499.jpg
See if last 4 digits are 1006 or newer.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 21, 2014

alexoiu :

the last 4 numbers are 2301, I also just tried a BIOS flashback and that didn't work either

alexoiu · Dec 21, 2014

Using Flashback when not needed can complicate things especially if failing.
Can you connect a case speaker to the motherboard?

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 21, 2014

alexoiu :

Unfortunately my only source of audio is through my monitor, I usually use an hdmi cable to connect through the card.

alexoiu · Dec 21, 2014

I suggest getting a case speaker http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/12-201-032-TS?$S300W$
connecting it to the motherboard and further troubleshooting. Otherwise it's difficult to guess what happens.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 21, 2014

alexoiu :

With the speaker I'll just be able to hear a certain number of beeps and be able to determine what the error is on start up?

alexoiu · Dec 21, 2014

You'd start the board with only CPU and CPU fan installed. You should get 1 long 2 short beeps. If no beeps, you'd know that either board or CPU do not work.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 21, 2014

alexoiu :

that would really suck because I have already RMA'd the motherboard and CPU, after waiting for over a month I just got both back via mail.

alexoiu · Dec 21, 2014

They might work, but we have to make sure.
OK. let's take it differently. I suggest these steps:
Take the board outside the case and put it on its cardboard. Leave only CPU and CPU fan installed.
Connect both 24 and 8 pin power cables and the case power switch to the motherboard.
Start the board and check if the CPU fan does spin and DRAM stays on.
If yes, power off, install single RAM module, start the board and see if VGA led stays on.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 21, 2014

alexoiu :

Thank you for the suggestion, I'll give it a shot tomorrow, unfortunately I can't troubleshoot anymore tonight.

alexoiu · Dec 21, 2014

No problem. Post back the result.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 22, 2014

alexoiu :

I just tried the steps you posted last night and it did exactly what you said.
I started the board out of the case and the fan for the cpu started up and the DRAM LED was solid red.
After I shut down and installed a single stick of RAM and not only was the VGA LED was solid red but also the Boot Device LED was solid red. (The DRAM LED was not solid red after I installed the RAM stick)

alexoiu · Dec 22, 2014

Now install a graphics card (different than the one that was installed), DVD drive, keyboard and mouse. Connect the monitor using VGA to VGA or DVI to DVI and start the board.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 22, 2014

alexoiu :

How do I do that when I don't have a display?

alexoiu · Dec 23, 2014

I don't understand your question.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 23, 2014

alexoiu :

I unfortunately don't have an alternate graphics card to use but my speaker did come in today so I will try and run it with that hooked up.

alexoiu · Dec 23, 2014

OK. See if 1 long 2 short when starting with no RAMs and 1 long 3 short when starting with RAMs but no graphics card.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 23, 2014

alexoiu :

So with only the cpu and cpu fan installed I did get the error message with 1 long a 2 short beeps, repeatedly. After I installed a single RAM and I got 1 long beep, 3 short beeps, then a pause and another beep.

alexoiu · Dec 23, 2014

It means that board, CPU, RAMs do work. Try borrowing a graphics card and test. Or RMA yours.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 23, 2014

alexoiu :

so the problem is the graphics card then?

alexoiu · Dec 23, 2014

It seems so. If installing the graphics card, still VGA led on? And are you getting any beeps? If no beeps and VGA led on, try testing different PCIe slot.

Troy Ashcroft · Dec 23, 2014

alexoiu :

When I install the graphics card I still get 1 long beep, 3 short beeps, then a pause and another beep. So I will probably have to buy a new GPU then because mines too old to RMA

New computer build, Boot Device LED and VGA LED solid red no display

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