PC fails to boot and shows VGA error after switching to RIAD

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

While altering the BIOS settings in the bios I accidentally switched the motherboard to RAID configuration. Since then the PC fails to boot with the VGA error LED lit up. My OS is stored on the M.2 drive but I think the motherboard no longer recognises it as a boot device. I've tried resetting the BIOS and removing non-essential components but so far nothing's worked.

Motherboard: Asus X299 TUF Mark 2
CPU: i7 7800x
GPU: GTX 980
Data storage: Kingston 240GB M.2 SSD (this is where the OS is stored)
Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (X2)
RAM: Corsair 8GB DDR4 2400MHz

jacobweaver800 · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

A 7800x and a 980?? What Is This PC?

Never mind. I did this before on my HP, resetting the BIOS should fix it but there is always the possibility that switching to RAID mode corrupted your OS Drive.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

jacobweaver800 :

psychodins :

A 7800x and a 980?? What Is This PC?

Never mind. I did this before on my HP, resetting the BIOS should fix it but there is always the possibility that switching to RAID mode corrupted your OS Drive.

I just upgraded my CPU from an i5 4460, got a pretty good deal. Got to save up a little more before getting a new GPU

jacobweaver800 · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

jacobweaver800 :

I just upgraded my CPU from an i5 4460, got a pretty good deal. Got to save up a little more before getting a new GPU

Thats fine, I just though it was odd to pair an X299 CPU with a last gen Nvidia GPU.

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

You said you reset your BIOS but did you then properly set the M.2 as your Boot device? it may come up as "Windows Boot Manager". Without that it will never look to the M.2 to boot the system. You may be able to force this by unplugging your SSDs as well.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

I have tried booting with the other two SSD's unplugged but it doesn't seem to of had an effect. I believe I still have my windows 10 USB boot drive somewhere. Do you think if I tried booting with that plugged in it might make a difference?

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

But did you go into the BIOS and specifically set your boot drive to "Windows Boot Manager'? Also make sure RAID is off.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

Before the issue occurred my boot drive order was:
Windows Boot Manager
Kingston M.2 SSD
Samsung SSD
Samsung SSD

RAID is on. I accidently switched it on and the PC reset, now the PC cant get past POST, nothing shows up on the monitor and the LEDs motherboard show the error is in the VGA part of POST. I cant get into the BIOS to change it back

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

OK unplug the computer from the wall, pull the CMOS battery, and leave it out for a few minutes. Then put it back in and plug it in and try to get into the BIOS.

smorizio · Jul 3, 2018

if your mb has the asus usb flashback port. download the newest bios and rename it. put it on the root of a usb stick and reflash the bios.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

I've just removed the CMOS battery and am waiting a few minutes. I'm reading the ASUS motherboard munal and its telling me to do something else to reset the CMOS. I'll post what it says below to see what you think.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

CLEAR RTC RAM JUMPER (2-pin CLRTC)
This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard cell battery powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system password.

To erase the RTC RAM
Turn off the computer and unplug the power cord
Short-circuit pin 1-2 with a metal object or jumper cap for about 5-10 seconds
Plug the power cord and turn on the computer
hold down the delete key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

Yeah thats the same thing as pulling the battery out, probably easier.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

I've lost count with the number of times I've done both of these methods now, the only difference after trying either of these methods is that the PC will reset itself a few times mid-POST then end up back where I was before.

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

So in all these cases you never see the BIOS at all?

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

Nothing shows up on the monitor, its always black.

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

Wow ok, thats not a drive problem then. Sorry I had assumed you were seeing the BIOS and it was failing to boot.

Can you go ahead and unplug the system and reseat your GPU and power connector to start? Then try again.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

Sorry can you go through in detail how to do that please. I'm a little unsure and dont want to screw it up.

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

Sure, so open your computer case (after you turn the switch off on the PSU and unplug it from the wall). There should be 2 power cables going to your GPU. Unplug those and set them aside. Next at the front of the GPU (by the back of the case) there should be 2 screws holding it in, remove those. Finally reach down towards the back of the GPU by the motherboard, there is a clip that holds it in the slot, most slots you just need to push downward towards the motherboard, while pulling the GPU gently upward. This may give you a little fight but just wiggle it a bit it should come out.

Then put it all back together. When you put the GPU back in the slot make sure that you pull up on that clip to lock it in place. And make sure when you put the screws in that the GPU aligns with the other slot covers and is as level as possible. Plug in the power connectors fully, put the cover back on, and finish up and try to power up the system.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

psychodins :

Sure, so open your computer case (after you turn the switch off on the PSU and unplug it from the wall). There should be 2 power cables going to your GPU. Unplug those and set them aside. Next at the front of the GPU (by the back of the case) there should be 2 screws holding it in, remove those. Finally reach down towards the back of the GPU by the motherboard, there is a clip that holds it in the slot, most slots you just need to push downward towards the motherboard, while pulling the GPU gently upward. This may give you a little fight but just wiggle it a bit it should come out.

Then put it all back together. When you put the GPU back in the slot make sure that you pull up on that clip to lock it in place. And make sure when you put the screws in that the GPU aligns with the other slot covers and is as level as possible. Plug in the power connectors fully, put the cover back on, and finish up and try to power up the system.

Tried it. Same result I’m afraid.

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

Ok any chance you have or can get your hands on another GPU (fore test purposes only)? The fact the VGA light is on is strange considering the issue, but maybe it was coincidental.

Unfortunately that CPU doesn't have onboard graphics.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

I thing according to the manual the VGA light can also refer to HDD errors. I don’t have a second GPU to test sadly.

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

Ok, try removing the M.2 drive then, and unplug any other drives. See if you get the BIOS then.

psychodins · Jul 3, 2018

Rogue Leader :

psychodins :

Ok, try removing the M.2 drive then, and unplug any other drives. See if you get the BIOS then.

Thanks that worked like a charm PC boots up now and I can access the BIOS.

Rogue Leader · Jul 3, 2018

psychodins :

Excellent, but weird you had to do that. So at this point, fix the settings and reinstall the drive, does it work?

PC fails to boot and shows VGA error after switching to RIAD

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