Red LED of death? PC not starting, need help!

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ProtoAMP

ProtoAMP

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May 28, 2015
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Okay, so I'e been using my PC over a year with the occasional blue screen, among other audio issues (related to the MSI network drivers). Not a problem, since the majority of that was resolved. However, after turning my PC on the next day, it failed to post. What happens is that the system turns on (lights start to show) and no more than 0.5 seconds later, the PC turns off, asif there was a shortage. After that, there is a solid red LED beside the 24 pin cable. I normally turn my PC off by the power supply after shutting it down through windows. Here's what you need to know:

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Corsair H55 57.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI X99S Gaming 7 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Black 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB XTREME GAMING Video Card
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Luxe ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: EVGA 850W G2 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
- I'm running the newest bios version btw.
- Cant even get into the bios.

I have a bunch of other peripherals connected, with only my Corsair keyboard lighting up and not others like the hubs, LED strips, razer keyboard...

As for what I've tried:
- Remove CMOS battery for 30 seconds
- Clear CMOS
- Tried using a different PSU (connected to the CPU and 24 pin ATX port)
- Tried using a different wall outlet
- Tried removing the GPU
- Tried taking out all RAM but 1 slot
- Tried doing a bios switch (via on motherboard connector)
- Tried using motherboard power on buttons, rather than the case ones
- Tried using a different power strip/extension cable
- Tried reinstalling the CPU and CPU cooler (no bent pins on motherboard for CPU)
- Tried using a different CMOS battery.

From what I can tell this isn't an issue with the PSU but maybe either the CPU or motherboard. I've had many issues in the past with the motherboard (such as DPC latency caused by the MSI killer nics, as well as some BSODs and all the rest) but never this. I'm planning to RMA the motherboard, but I've been hesitant because it's a real inconvenience for me.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Hopefully you can help me and anyone else struggling with this.
 
Solution
Faux_Grey
Everyone on the MSI forums says it's a power delivery issue when the red light comes on with the X99 gaming.

I would try the suggestion of someone at MSI of trying to boot with RAM in slot 2 and 4, and failing that, try to assemble the motherboard outside of the case.

Failing that.. RMA. (it's free! - I hope)
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ProtoAMP

ProtoAMP

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May 28, 2015
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Thanks for the suggestion but I can't even get my computer to post, so there's no way I can do that :(

It's basically: Press power button > PC tries to turn on > 1/2 second later it force shuts down (like a power outage) > Solid red light on motherboard appears. I've seen people remove their CMOS for a week with things clearing, but I doubt the difference between 30s and a week would change anything.

 
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notlim981

notlim981

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Jun 8, 2012
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Have you tried to replace the CMOS battery? It could be dead, although a dead CMOS battery would not cause the pc to not post. Also as you took all those steps described above, it could be something wrong with your motherboard.
 
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ProtoAMP

ProtoAMP

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I tried replacing it with one from an old motherboard (I assume that on worked) but alas, it didn't post with the other one in. I know you said it is likely to be the motherboard, but do you think the CPU could be the root of the cause. One thing that worries me most is that the system abruptly shuts down as if there was a power-cut or so, which is very strange. Thanks for helping me diagnose this.
 
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ProtoAMP

ProtoAMP

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May 28, 2015
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Yes, I have. I left one in that I knew 100% worked. How likely is it to be the motherboard over the CPU? I heard that the red LED normally signals either turn off to prevent damage? or something like no CPU installed?

 
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Faux_Grey

Faux_Grey

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Sep 1, 2012
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Everyone on the MSI forums says it's a power delivery issue when the red light comes on with the X99 gaming.

I would try the suggestion of someone at MSI of trying to boot with RAM in slot 2 and 4, and failing that, try to assemble the motherboard outside of the case.

Failing that.. RMA. (it's free! - I hope)
 
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Solution
ProtoAMP

ProtoAMP

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May 28, 2015
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I disconnected everything and the cooler wasn't leaking and there was plenty of thermal paste (properly applied too). Unfortunately, no one I know has a Haswell E CPU, so I couldn't try that but thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking to RMA the motherboard, as I expect that to be the issue.

 
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ProtoAMP

ProtoAMP

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May 28, 2015
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I tried both of the things you've mentioned, with no luck. I also found the thread you were on about (thanks for pointing me in that direction), but no success. I'm going to try RMA the board now. I really appreciate the help though!
 
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D

dempan__on

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Jun 8, 2016
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Still no progress? It's more likely to be the MB, rather then the CPU, but you'll never know! :/ I wish you goodluck!
 
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ProtoAMP

ProtoAMP

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May 28, 2015
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Thanks for the checkup but no, still nothing. I'm in the process of RMAing. I'll keep this thread informed. Thanks!

 
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