ASUS Maximums IX Q-code 78 and A2

[gkarandinos]

I have an ASUS Maximums IX breadboarded with just CPU, cooler, 1 stick of RAM. I have tried booting with three hard drive scenarios

1TB SSD m.2 -- gives q-code 78
3TB hdd connected via SATA -- gives q-code A2
no drive -- gives q-code A2

Monitor remains blank entire time and I have never posted successfully. I've tried the same configuration with two identical ASUS boards with the same problem.

I have no idea whats going!

Components:
ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero LGA1151 DDR4 DP HDMI M.2 USB 3.1 ATX Motherboard

Intel Core i7 6700K 4.00 GHz Unlocked Quad Core Skylake Desktop Processor, Socket LGA 1151 [BX80662I76700K]

Corsair Hydro Series H100i v2 Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler, Black

Crucial MX300 1TB M.2 (2280) Internal Solid State Drive (CT1050MX300SSD4)

Corsair RMx Series, RM750x, 750W, Fully Modular Power Supply, 80 PLUS Gold Certified

Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16 Desktop Memory Kit - Black (CMK16GX4M2B3200C16)

 

[romirez]

Depends from post codes it may be bios problem even on both mobos.

 

[gkarandinos]

Depends from post codes it may be bios problem even on both mobos.

Thank you for your quick reply. What should I do next?

 

[MeanMachine41]

Qcode A2 is IDE detect so your OS drive is not being recognized. Try with just the SSD with the OS installed. (disconnect the other drives) Check cabling and connections and that your in the correct SATA port.
As romirez has said, you may need to update your Bios to latest version 0906 if not already done so.
Post will not continue till the error is fixed and will not allow Bios access.

 

[romirez]

Its not HDD problem if even without HDD there is no picture on monitor.
Check with PCIE videocard if it is not integrated video problem.

 

[gkarandinos]

I flashed the BIOS (successfully I think? No way to confirm, but I followed directions) to 0906.

I installed 1TB m.2 SSD, but the qcode has returned to 78 now. I have tested this with two identical motherboards, with the same error resulting. The LED light in all cases that remains lit is the last, green "BOOT" LED.

I don't have a PCIE video card unfortunately, but since I've tried with both motherboards, what are the chances that there is a problem with the integrated video of both motherboards?

 

[MeanMachine41]

I flashed the BIOS (successfully I think? No way to confirm, but I followed directions) to 0906.

I installed 1TB m.2 SSD, but the qcode has returned to 78 now. I have tested this with two identical motherboards, with the same error resulting. The LED light in all cases that remains lit is the last, green "BOOT" LED.

I don't have a PCIE video card unfortunately, but since I've tried with both motherboards, what are the chances that there is a problem with the integrated video of both motherboards?

Are you not able to access Bios.? Qcode 78 (ACPI module initialization) is very often associated with the GPU but the Boot_LED being lit is something else and needs to be addressed.
If your able to access Bios then check if the iGPU is available and not disabled. For iGPU ofc you have to connect video connection to the Port on your MB IO panel.
To have a problem with the integrated video of both motherboards would be very unusual.

If this continues you will have to breadboard and check for any bent pins in the MB socket.

 

[gkarandinos]

I flashed the BIOS (successfully I think? No way to confirm, but I followed directions) to 0906.

I installed 1TB m.2 SSD, but the qcode has returned to 78 now. I have tested this with two identical motherboards, with the same error resulting. The LED light in all cases that remains lit is the last, green "BOOT" LED.

I don't have a PCIE video card unfortunately, but since I've tried with both motherboards, what are the chances that there is a problem with the integrated video of both motherboards?

Are you not able to access Bios.? Qcode 78 (ACPI module initialization) is very often associated with the GPU but the Boot_LED being lit is something else and needs to be addressed.
If your able to access Bios then check if the iGPU is available and not disabled. For iGPU ofc you have to connect video connection to the Port on your MB IO panel.
To have a problem with the integrated video of both motherboards would be very unusual.

If this continues you will have to breadboard and check for any bent pins in the MB socket.

 

[gkarandinos]

I have to apologize for wasting everyone's time. I did not realize that you have to switch my monitors input to HDMI (I had previously been using it with a VGA machine). I thought simply unplugging VGA and plugging in HDMI was all I needed to do, but I discovered an input switch and now I am happily writing from my new computer

Very very sorry for this carelessness, but thank you to everyone for helping. I learned a lot about many problems I was not actually having so at least there is that on my end!