Asus Z170-A, CPU and DIMM led flash. MemOK does nothing?

[Everybody loves Hypnotoad]

Hi All,

Just finished assembling my new computer. Tried running it with the bare minimun of 1 memory, cpu and 1 hdd. When I power up, the CPU led flashes quickly red and then DIMM led lights for abou 2 sec, then CPU quick flash and DIMM for 2 sec.. etc. (this continues as long as power is being supplied).

I have tried different slots for the DIMM and I have tried two different PSUs. Pressing the MemOK button does nothing, as it only seems to reboot the system with no changes (the sequence of the blinking does not change). This is something that worries me the most as I could not find anything like this with google.

Everything stays running but I cannot get anything show on the monitor. Any idea what might be the reason? There is nothing related to problem solving in the manual of the motherboard.

Asus Z170-A, LGA1151, Intel Z170, DDR4, ATX
Kingston 16GB(2x8GB) HyperX Fury DDR4 2666 MHz, CL15
Intel Skylake i7-6700K, LGA1151, 4GHz, 8MB, Boxed

 

[alexoiu]

Hi,
I suggest re-seating the CPU and checking the socket for bent pins. Try posting here a picture of the CPU socket.

 

[Everybody loves Hypnotoad]

OK, thanks I will do that. But still before I start disassembling the CPU cooler (hate that), I tried taking all RAM out and now the CPU LED still quickly flashes but during DIMM led the board gives beep signals (long, short short, long, short). Do you know if that tells me something?

As it turns out, the manual is really short on any troubleshooting and I cannot find a beep code table that has this sequence. Getting a bit frustrated with ASUS not providing technical support on their manuals.

 

[alexoiu]

1 long 2 short stands for RAM missing.
Have you tested each RAM slot with single RAM module?

 

[Everybody loves Hypnotoad]

Hi, I tried each memory slot individually with both memory sticks. Still the same problem. Then I took off the CPU and checked the connections. There are no bent pins and I used the "CPU installation tool" that came with the Motherboard. When I assembled it again I ended up with the same problem. Startup goes to looping between shortly flashing CPU led and then flashing the DRMM led for 2-3 seconds. I am completely out of ideas and I think there is something wrong with one of the components. Now I tried using only Motherboard and CPU with no additional SSD attached. Any ideas?

The thing worrying me the most is that I cannot find anything similar from google. When I press the MemOK! button the setup just restarts without changing anything. Every single post says that it at least changes the sequence the leds flash.

 

[Everybody loves Hypnotoad]

http://s32.postimg.org/5zup6qb5h/IMG_0152.jpg
http://s32.postimg.org/widcfg9v9/IMG_0153.jpg
http://s32.postimg.org/jpttt9nn9/IMG_0155.jpg

Pics of the processor and socket and everything is as it should be. I cannot see anything wrong with the procesor itself.

I have been using a grounding bracelet through all installation so static electricity should not have been able to cause any damage. Externally I cannot see anything wrong with the motherboard. RAMs are compatible with the motherboard according to the ASUS website so that should also be out of scope.

I just disassembled the whole setup and assembled it again to slowly check everything and I am just out of ideas. I also took out the battery from the motherboard to reset it. I cannot find anything wrong with the components or connections. Any ideas or should I just take the whole setup to a shop for them to check what's wrong?

 

[alexoiu]

I can't see from pictures. Can you check the 2 red areas and see if the 2 pins/1 pin are aligned, or not?

 

[Everybody loves Hypnotoad]

Hi, an update. Third time is the charm. I disassembled once more to check the pins you pinpointed, and those were OK. I assembled the computer again just to bare minimum of cables/power attached and was able to locate what is wrong. For some reason, after this third assembly I was able to boot the machine with one RAM stick (I had all unneccessary chassis cables/sata drives removed). So I did again the check with both RAMs to see what is broken and it seems that DIMM A slots are both down. I can get the computer to boot by inserting both RAMs to DIMM B1 and B2 but that reduces the frequenzy.

Have you encountered this issue before and can you say if it is common to have RAM slots down by pairs (A1/A2 or B1/B2)? I will probably make a claim out of the motherboard as I am not confident to continue with this. If the RAM slots are dead, there might be something else soon dying.

Thanks for your support. I really appreciate it, as I was getting pretty frustrated with this problem.

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, You're welcome.
In this case, yes, RMA-ing the board seems to be the solution.