Asus ROG Maximus VI Impact Cannot POST. Stuck on Q-Code A2.

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Edward Zhang

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Jul 31, 2015
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Setup:

Mobo: Asus Maximus VI Impact
Memory: G.SKILL SNIPER DDR3-2133 4GBx2
CPU: I5-4670k
GPU: Gigabyte Windforce GTX 760
PSU: EVGA NEX750B

Description:

After I turned off my computer one night, I couldn't even POST the next day when I tried to start it up.

I google'ed around and tried the following steps:

1. Leave only CPU(i5 4470k) socketed. Stuck on qcode 53 (Memory initialization error. No usable memory detected). Which is good. I need to plug back in my memory

2. Leave only CPU and one stick of memory socketed(furthest slot from CPU). Stuck on qcode A2 (IDE Detect). Need harddrive to boot from?

3. plug back in my SSD, still stuck on qcode A2.

4. tried new sata cable, new sata power cable, different sata port on the mobo, different power port on PSU. still stuck on qcode A2.

5. continue from previous step upgraded my BIOS to newest with ROG Connect. The qcode cycles randomly through 26(OEM pre-memory initialization codes) - 27(OEM pre-memory initialization codes) - 28(OEM pre-memory initialization codes) - 29(OEM pre-memory initialization codes) and eventually stuck on 26 .

6. Pressed Clr CMOS and qcode quickly turns to 00 then the mobo shuts down and reboots by itself. After reboot, stuck on qcode A2 again.

Now I'm totally lost as to what to do next. Is my mobo still savable? the only similar story I read on this forum ends up with the buyer gave up and bought a totally brand new board.
 
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cin19

cin19

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Mar 14, 2011
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1) If you want to try update the BIOS using USB BIOS flashback method, make sure take out all the components ( cpu, RAM, HDD/SSD,etc), only connect the psu, download and rename the BIOS file, more info http://event.asus.com/2012/mb/USB_BIOS_Flashback_GUIDE/
2) If you have other HDD, or SSD try it, because the Q-Code A2 means the pc try to find the hard drive to boot. Also make sure the right boot order in the BIOS.
 
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Edward Zhang

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Jul 31, 2015
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Hi cin19, thanks for the reply. I indeed used the USB BIOS flashback method, though with CPU / memory attached. I tried to upgrade again with memory detached and only cpu attached ( no spare thermal compound at hands right now ), and the qcode stuck on A2 again. However, this time when I put back the SSD, I got a different qcode 32 ( CPU post-memory initialization is started ). referencing back to what happened before with memory attached, I believe you are on to something. I will try upgrade the bios without CPU installed after I acquire some extra thermal compound
 
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Edward Zhang

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Jul 31, 2015
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4,510


Hi another sorta related question, is it possible that my mobo's buildin graphics doesn't work with HDMI after a BIOS flashback? Because currently when I boot up the mobo with the monitor through HDMI, the monitor is not complaining about signal, but the screen is still black. I'm just wondering if the A2 error is related to how my mobo is defaulting to VGA graphics output and IDE protocol, so it won't see my SSD since SSD works with AHCI mode and it's already past POST?

I'm asking this cuz after I press CLR CMOS after the BIOS flashback, the 32 error code no longer shows up but it's stuck again at A2 code.
 
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cin19

cin19

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Mar 14, 2011
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Most of newer MB will set to boot in ahci mode by default. If you got the A2 after turn the pc off, that means the SSD has problem, like SSD is dead.
If you can do the BIOS update, but the PC does not boot or not display, try Bench it - Troubleshooting http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1753671/bench-troubleshooting.html If you still can not boot the PC by using onborad iGPU without the RAM, and no error. That means either cpu or MB has problem.
 
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