[SOLVED] ASRock Taichi Z390 wont boot when Hyper 212 EVO is tightened

Dec 12, 2018
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I am finishing up a new PC build and ran into an issue where the mobo wont post when I tighten the screws on the Hyper 212 EVO. When slightly untightened, it's not a problem.

I am using the following components:

1. Coolermaster MC500p
2. AsRock Taichi z390
3. i7 8700k
4. EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti Black Edition
5. 2 x CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 (32GB Dual channel kit)
6. Season Focus 750 PSU
7. Hyper 212 EVO CPU cooler

My memory was installed in socket A2 & B2.

I put it all together and when I started it for the first time, my computer wouldn't boot. Dr Debug would flash codes that went from 00, 30, to 4C, ultimately staying on 4C.

I tried removing the memory from the different slots, while leaving one dimm installed. Still same problem.

Then moved the memory to B1 and B2, and the computer booted, but is now not in dual channel mode.

So after reading all the threads here, I removed the CPU cooler and examined the socket for bent pins. Everything looked fine.

As a test, I put the memory back in A2 & B2 and quickly tested to see if the memory could post with the cpu reseated and the cooler off. It worked fine, so I thought maybe it was some dust got in there causing an issue or reseating the cpu helped.

I added the cooler back on and booted back up and this time I get the dr debug error 55, which once again indicates a CPU or memory issue.

Now i am like WTF!

So I try a quick test of loosening the screws on the CPU cooler and power back up. Now it works fine.

I tighten again and powerup, no longer booting.

So in order to get the PC booting properly I have to keep the screws a little loose. Not loose where the cooler is noticebly wobbly or loose, but not as tight as other systems I installed the same cooler on.

Contacted ASRock has not gotten me a response yet, but before I put the PC in production I wanted some advice as to whether I should RMA the board or not?

Does what I am describing indicate a bad board or maybe some other issue?

Thanks in advance!
 
Solution
That's the thing with computers, you won't know until it fails. Boards are pretty flexible, but it is usually the LGA pins that are the issue here. All it takes is just the right one to come away from the bottom of the CPU to effect the memory, PCIe connections, etc.

Lots of people running slightly damaged boards that have bad memory slots, non-working USB ports, etc. A thorough test of every port is reasonable, maybe not to the extent of all the PCIe slots, unless they intend to be used.

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
The cooler is probably given a bend/bow to the motherboard and causing something to lose connection. Sort of common.

What you might be able to do is add some washers between the backplate and the motherboard. Should let you get the cooler tighter before it starts doing anything to the board.
 
Dec 12, 2018
3
0
10
Thanks for the quick reply. Hadn't seen this in other PCs that I built, including my son's two weeks ago, so was surprised.

Would this have damaged the board or by relieving the tension, and it's now booting, I should be ok?
 

Eximo

Titan
Ambassador
That's the thing with computers, you won't know until it fails. Boards are pretty flexible, but it is usually the LGA pins that are the issue here. All it takes is just the right one to come away from the bottom of the CPU to effect the memory, PCIe connections, etc.

Lots of people running slightly damaged boards that have bad memory slots, non-working USB ports, etc. A thorough test of every port is reasonable, maybe not to the extent of all the PCIe slots, unless they intend to be used.
 
Solution