Asus Q code 4F

[Mowgli2909]

System: Asus z170 Deluxe; i7 6700 3.4Ghz; Corsair Vengeance DDR4 4x4gb @ 3000mhz; PSU beQuiet 850W Dark Pro 11;
GPU Evga Geforce GTX 960; CPU cooler Noctua NH-U14S with NF-A15 fan. SSD: Samsung SM951 M.2 512Gb; OS: Windows 7 Pro. Finished setting up the system this morning formatted the SSD for a complete reinstall, set the bios to AHCI, Boot from PCIe / UEFI first etc..
Then installed Windows 7 Pro on it, not a problem. Ran the z170 set up disc when connected to the internet, together with GPU disc etc. Everything was fine for a couple of hours, downloaded windows updates, all 204 of them plus 5 optional. No problem until I then started to install them. No sooner started then blue screen and ever since then the mobo keeps reading Q code 4F.

I've tried removing the ram, seating just 1 stick and rebooting, still 4F, replaced them all, still 4F. Pressed the clear CMOS button, lost count the number of times. Removed the battery, just once. All to no avail, I've even removed the SM951 which is on the Hyperkit card and in it's place connected a Samsung Evo 850 SSD with a Windows 10 OS. Still getting the same Q code 4F.

I now have no hair, your help would be very much appreciated! This one might just be going back to Amazon UK

 

[scout_03]

one of the update could have corrupted the bios didyou try in safe mode and get to a restore point previous to the last update install .

 

[Mowgli2909]

one of the update could have corrupted the bios didyou try in safe mode and get to a restore point previous to the last update install .

 

[Mowgli2909]

No, no restore point and no safe mode. Initially I was given the usual choice between "Windows repair" and " Star Windows normally". I selected "Windows repair", at the moment I can't even get it to boot up never mind load anything. I bought this through Amazon UK Nov 3rd, do you think I should return it as defective?

 

[scout_03]

if you could not acces it i would return it for refund .

 

[Mowgli2909]

if you could not acces it i would return it for refund .

Thanks for your assistance . I've already been in touch with Asus support, advised them of the problem, should hear back from them with the next 24 hours. FYI took the system apart today and did a complete rebuild. Q code now showing 55 which refers to the RAM. I know for a fact it's properly seated, took extra care on that one, especially with it being a new board. Why it's not reading the RAM is beyond me! Pressed the RAM OK button but still showing Q code 55. Give it one last try tomorrow but get over the 55 hurdle and I suppose it'll be back to our old friend 4F. If that's the case then it's being returned to Amazon UK .
Thanks again.
Received following from ASUS :- Dear Chris,My name is Paul and I will try my best to assist you with this issue.Please feel free to rate our service according to the solution provided in the questionnaire that will be sent to you shortly after our reply to your inquiry.I am sorry to hear you are having issues with your Z170-DELUXE.I recommend a CMOS reset by taking out the battery for 3-5 minutes while the PSU is unplugged. While the power cord from the PSU is still unplugged, press the power button down for 30 seconds to power discharge the unit. Then place the CMOS battery back in, plug in the PSU and try again. Check if all the power and sata cables are properly connected and after this plug the power cord again and restart. Also try to power up the motherboard with minimum configuration outside the case: 1 single RAM (on A1, or B1, try swapping), one HDD, take out the CPU carefully and inspect the socket, look for bent/damaged pins, ensure that the CPU is re-inserted correctly, and make sure that the PSU is still functional and it's powerful enough to start the system. Please also test with and without the GPU.

Tried all of that, no joy, board being returned to Amazon for replacement.