ASUS Maximus VII Ranger | PC won't start | No POST - Q Code 76 CPU_LED Bright Red

[Volvo2]

Hello. I've got my PC about 3 days ago, it was sent to me from Europe where I used it without any issues for ~2 years. So I built it up yesterday and it was working perfectly. I needed to move it, so I shut it down, unplugged it, moved it, plugged it back (to the same cord, same power cable), but it didn't start. To be more specific, it didn't get to the boot "phase". The motherboard lit up, fans were working, I heard HDD starting (no beep tho), but the motherboard was displaying Q Code 76. After few restarts, I shut it down, unplugged and plugged back the EATX cable and it booted up without any issues! However, after several hours of working on the computer, I had to move it again (cuz of the recent "inspection"), so I shut it down, unplugged everything, plugged it back in (still the same cord&cable) and it happened again. But this time, reconnecting EATX cable didn't help. To be even more specific, the startup process looks like: Start -> Q Code 00 -> Q Code 14 & CPU_LED lights up (bright red) -> Q Code 76. And that's it. I tried: Reconnecting everything, CMOS clearing, pulling CMOS out ( for about 20 seconds ) , unmounting the fan to check the CPU, rebuilding it, resetting BIOS.
I tried starting with just few parts to see how it will react.
CPU + FAN (24 PIN + EATX [4+4]) -> Same results (Q Code 76)
CPU + FAN + RAM -> Same results -||-
I tried both outside the case/inside the case. Unfortunately, I don't have any spare parts to test it. I think it may be something with the motherboard? Maybe like the motherboard's EATX plug? It doesn't look bent or anything. I tried two different EATX cables. I don't think the CPU would be an issue, motherboard would return Q Code 00 if it was the CPU, wouldn't it? I can tell for sure that it's NOT burning and I'm 99% sure that it's not overheating during the start. I mean, it worked before for more than 7+ hours, and I tried to reseat the fan twice. When I inspected the CPU, it looked fine, no spilled thermal paste or anything. I forgot to say that the CPU wasn't even removed when it was sent to me. It was safely covered, perfectly cleaned from the thermal paste. I can tell for sure that every part was safely wrapped/covered, nothing was damaged. In Europe the voltage is 220V 50Hz I think? However, my PSU should work perfectly with American voltage which is 110V 60Hz I think? Do you guys have any ideas on finding the issue/fixing it? I greatly appreciate every response.
I'll list my components down below.
Thank you. Have a nice day.

CPU: Intel Core i7 4770k
GPU: MSI GTX 780 Ti
RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury 16GB (8+8) 1866Mhz DDR3 Black
FAN: Cooler Master V8 GTS
MOBO: ASUS MAXIMUS VII RANGER
PSU: Cooler Master M2 Silent Pro 1000w
I don't think that listing my HDDs, SSD, DD, .. will help. Thanks once more.

 

[nitinvaid20]

well you already tried most of the things so i think there is something electric short
if its still in warranty replace the motherboard
but i would recommend you to if you can test both the CPU and motherboard it can be CPU too but cant tell with out testing

 

[Volvo2]

Hmmm, so there's no other way to tell without a spare parts?

 

[SgtScream]

If you take the graphics card out of the build plug the monitor into the integrated graphics instead does the computer post? Also did you look up the codes in the motherboard's manual?

 

[Volvo2]

I tried plugging the monitor into the integrated graphics, but still no post.
The codes mean:
Q Code 14 - "Pre-memory CPU initialization is started"
Q Code 76 - PCH DXE Initialization (PCH module specific)

I tried to look up the codes before, but they were not really helpful for me :/

 

[SgtScream]

If reseating/assembling all internal components does not resolve the issue, try doing so outside of the computer case If the issue persists, present those codes to Asus technical support and make use of your warranty.

 

[Volvo2]

So! I've reseated everything one more time and I made it work. I let it restart once automatically before entering the BIOS setup, it started again perfectly, but I forgot that my keyboard is not plugged in in the right slot, so it shut down automatically again after 15 seconds as it said (since I did reset BIOS), I plugged the keyboard in the right slot and it's stuck in the same issue again 🙁 Q-Code 76 + Red CPU_LED. I really don't know guys. I don't think the computer is damaged.. Any thoughts?

UPDATE: It works now, however, it shows this : [PICTURE]

 

[SgtScream]

Plug the keyboard into a different usb port.

 

[Volvo2]

I tried different ports, still nothing.

 

[SgtScream]

Confirm that the computer boots normally without the keyboard plugged into the computer. If this is true, try a different keyboard or a non-bootable usb flash drive to see if the issue replicates.

 

[Paul NZ]

I would check the front USB connectors from the front of the case. Looks like you can get this message if the USB connector / cable is damaged

 

[Volvo2]

It does not. I tried with no USB devices, still shows USB device overhaul. I tried disconnecting the USB 2.0 plug, still the same, also tried disconnecting the USB 3.0 plug, but still nothing.
With no USB devices:

 

[SgtScream]

Your PC likely got damaged during shipping from Europe. Is there a warranty on the computer?

 

[Paul NZ]

Well I would update the BIOS as well. You're 11 bios updates behind

 

[Volvo2]

Hmmm, I don't understand, cuz it worked before for more than 15+ hours together. I'll try updating BIOS. Thanks

 

[Paul NZ]

Do it in the BIOS

 

[Volvo2]

I can't get to the BIOS. Even when I'm pressing both F2 and Del key, it always ends up with the screen I posted up here.

 

[Paul NZ]

Keep tapping del. Just pressing it once wont get you into the bios. Do it straight after you turn it on

 

[SgtScream]

If you take the graphics card out of the build and plug your monitor into the onboard graphics, can you then get into the bios?

 

[Volvo2]

I'm and I was tapping it repeatedly I should've said that instead of pressing, I'm sorry. But nothing, it still ends up with the screen up here. I'm gonna try with integrated graphics.

 

[Volvo2]

Okay, it's officially working! I think the motherboard was somehow touching the case itself, I was in rush and tightened one screw too much! I don't really know what was the cause of the original issue, but it seems to be working now, so thank you so much for your help guys! I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Paul NZ]

Sweet did you install the standoffs then?? If you didnt the mobo will short on the case

 

[SgtScream]

Sweet did you install the standoffs then?? If you didnt the mobo will short on the case

If he didn't install the standoffs he'd have an expensive paperweight.

 

[Volvo2]

Of course I did, standoffs are there all the time, I don't have enough standoffs for the lower part of the mobo, but it's not touching the case, the motherboard was bent a little bit (the corner to be more specific), I didn't realize that I tightened the screw in there too much. It's still kinda weird, because I tested it dozens of times outside the case and it did NOT work. Now it works perfectly, I restarted it several times, I tried to unplug it and it still worked after plugging it back in. But I didn't really find out the issue.. :|
This is the scheme for my motherboard
o - installed standoffs
x - using just tall screws
o o o
o o o
x x x <---- bent corner

Yes, the placement is kinda weird, but I thought it may be better like that instead of placing the middle lane standoffs in the bottom lane, because my GPU is heavy.
As I said, I tried it several times OUTSIDE the case (on the cardboard box btw, no tapes or anything) and it didn't work :|

 

[SgtScream]

Try and install the rest of your standoffs.