Asus X99-A II - Fresh build will not get to BIOS until...

[Brandle34]

Hi all, first time posting here... I've always received a ton of info from this forum and can't quite find my issue this time so here goes!

Asus X99-A II (BIOS 1201)
i7 5930K
EVGA Geforce GTX 1070 FTW
EVGA 850w G2
16GB (4x4) G.SKILL TridentZ 3200
1TB Samsung 850 Evo SSD
1TB Seagate HDD
Windows 10 Pro (x64)

Put this machine together on Friday night and wasn't able to get a stable boot until Saturday afternoon. I have been getting a few Q code sequences followed by a reboot or just Q code loops with fan and case led's on.
I would get a few 'bd' code loops without reboot and then the most recent I documented was 14, 60, 61, 60, 00, reboot. This would repeat.

So anyways, steps I've taken are clearing CMOS, swapped power cables, reseating memory, using just 1 stick, tried different dimm slots with 1 stick, 2 sticks, booting without vid card, adjusting the CPU cooler to make sure it wasn't too tight or too loose and finally the one that seemed to do the trick - take out and re-seat the CPU. Boom. Fired right up.

After that I was able to run all day - install drivers no issue, reboot after these installations, add USB devices, plug in 2nd monitor, install Diablo 3 just to see how the new rig handles a game and played for a few hours no issues! Bed time so I shut down the PC

Fast forward to this morning I go to fire it up and again - won't get to BIOS and repeats 'bd' code loop. I also got the 60, 61, 60, 00, reboot loop as I swapped around memory. Unplug/plug everything (cables, memory, vid card, etc) Nothing. When I re-seat the CPU and install the cooler - boom. Fires right up.

Now I'm currently using it, temps are good, Q code AA, all is well as I'm currently using the PC to write this thread. I've read that these X99 boards are a PITA to set up, but my bro-in-law hasn't had a single issue with his X99-A with the same i7 5930K.

What could be the issue?? This is the first PC I've built where I've run into any issues (luckily) so I haven't needed to troubleshoot this much for a new build. I'm about to take advantage of the stable state this PC is in and update to the latest 1504 BIOS, but can't find any info on this release if there are issues or just RMA the board.

Any info/input is appreciated!!

 

[Brandle34]

Left the system sit to sleep and now Q code - 30 is present after system is awake...

Manual states Q code 30 is reserved for ASL. I'm going to guess it's the 0x30 code (System is waking up from S3 sleep state)

Nothing in event viewer related to power or sleep either...

 

[Brandle34]

Update: Let it go to sleep again when wife and I go to grocery store, I go down to check on it and it's back to the 'bd' code loop. I shut it down and turn it back on, it stays at a 'bF' code and sits there for a bit - powers down. Turns back on and 'bd' code loop once again.

 

[Brandle34]

So on my case the Reset button is depressed and doesn't function, which I am fine with as I don't ever use these anyways.

In a random part of my dream last night I had decided that this was the root of my issues... pretty odd.

Today after work I come to the PC and turn it on - 'bd' Q code loop. Screw it... I'll unplug the 'Reset SW' cable from the motherboard, maybe...? Take out the CMOS for a bit, unplug the reset cable and fire it up. Here I am.

Could just be a fluke... I'll post again... maybe...

 

[Brandle34]

Well it's been a couple of days and I've been playing, installing, updating, rebooting, and shut it down at night. Now I'm knocking on wood here, but everything has been stable, temps are good and this rig is damn quick!!

It seems really strange to me, but it must have been related to the depressed reset button on the case and just needed to unplug the Reset SW cable.

Now that I finally have a stable machine I really don't want to touch XMP, but my memory is 3200mhz and is currently clocked at the default 2133. I'll probably wait a while before I do any OC'ing, just want to enjoy it for now.