Asus Z270E won't boot

[Lawnop]

I upgraded an old build with these new parts(https://pcpartpicker.com/list/8fQMNN) but am having some issues. I got the computer to POST and started upgrading drivers, but after it installed the drivers and I shut it off for the time being, I was unable to get it to power on at all. I plug it in, turn the PSU power switch on, and then the motherboard standby LED lights up orange and the rainbow light on the other side of the CPU lights up. I then press the power button on the front of the case and nothing happens. The lights glow without me pressing the power button, and not even the fans turn on. If I hook up a monitor to my graphics card, it recognizes that it is connected (A "Cable not connected" message appears when the monitor is disconnected) but if I plug in the mouse or keyboard to the rear USB neither seem to be receiving power. I've already tried to troubleshoot with this guide (http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1893016/post-system-boot-video-output-troubleshooting-checklist.html) to no avail. Any help to solve this would be greatly appreciated.

PSU: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/MvJwrH/cooler-master-power-supply-rs500pcard3us
Graphics Card: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/bbPfrH/xfx-video-card-hd687azhfc

Here's a diagram of where everything currently is and the LEDs I mention http://imgur.com/a/YmKSc

UPDATE: It looks like the issue has to do with the CHA_FAN2 Header, the Chasis Fan itself, or something related to that area.

 

[Lawnop]

Got a PM from OP to help out and now i'm here.

After reading the whole topic and seeing signs of life once you've relocated the sleeve bearing fan connector of your Hyper 212 EVO, it can be your CPU cooler fan that has stopped the boot up. It is possible that your stock CPU cooler fan is unable to respond to the MoBo's fan RPM control or it fails to report RPM back to the MoBo itself (aka defective fan).

To keep your CPU cooled, you don't have to use the stock fan on heatsink that came with Hyper 212 EVO. You can use any 120mm fan in it's place.

Here's what you can try: Plug any chassis fan into CPU_FAN header and look if your system POSTS. Another option would be trying to plug any fan into CPU_OPT header, located just below CPU_FAN header. More info in MoBo manual, page 16,
link: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/STRIX_Z270E_GAMING/E12192_STRIX_Z270E_GAMING_UM_V2_WEB.pdf

I plugged in an old CPU fan into the CPU_FAN header and the current CPU fan into the CHA_FAN2 and both are spinning and get to the bios screen. Do you want me to try plugging in only one fan to the CPU_OPT or also have a fan plugged into the CHA_FAN2 or CPU_FAN header while there is one in the CPU_OPT header as well? Should I be looking to see if they all spin and my system POSTs or something else?

 

[mbilal2]

However, this time my chassis fan was spinning for some reason, so perhaps that plug is not actually for the chassis fan but for something else??

As stupid as this sounds, I think it's an extension from the CPU fan. Try running the cpu fan in cpu_opt as suggested and see what happens.
Gonna do some digging see what I can find.

 

[Aeacus]

CPU_OPT header is for those CPU air cooling heatsinks that have 2 fans on them. One fan from heatsink goes to CPU_FAN while other one goes to CPU_OPT header. I've also done so on my Skylake build since i have push-pull configuration on my CPU heatsink (full specs with pics in my sig).

There's no need to further test if your CHA_FAN2 or CHA_FAN1 headers work since populating those aren't needed for system to run.

For your MoBo to start working, it needs a RPM signal from a fan that is connected to CPU_FAN header.
What you can test is just to plug any fan (except the stock fan from Hyper 212 EVO) into CPU_OPT header while leaving all other fan headers empty. If your system POSTS and you can get to BIOS, then you have a backup connector for CPU cooler, just in case CPU_FAN header might sustain some damage during the operation.
If your system doesn't POST when you have a fan plugged only into CPU_OPT header then you don't have the backup but you still can get your system working fine. Just connect properly working fan into CPU_FAN header for your system to work.

 

[Lawnop]

However, this time my chassis fan was spinning for some reason, so perhaps that plug is not actually for the chassis fan but for something else??

As stupid as this sounds, I think it's an extension from the CPU fan. Try running the cpu fan in cpu_opt as suggested and see what happens.
Gonna do some digging see what I can find.

I put the current CPU fan in the CPU_OPT header and nothing in the CHA_FAN2 header and all the fans spin, even the actual chasis fan but it doesn't spin as fast as the other fans. It gets to bios and tells me there is an error with my CPU fan speed and to make sure my CPU fan is in CPU_FAN header (which it isn't).

 

[Lawnop]

CPU_OPT header is for those CPU air cooling heatsinks that have 2 fans on them. One fan from heatsink goes to CPU_FAN while other one goes to CPU_OPT header. I've also done so on my Skylake build since i have push-pull configuration on my CPU heatsink (full specs with pics in my sig).

There's no need to further test if your CHA_FAN2 or CHA_FAN1 headers work since populating those aren't needed for system to run.

For your MoBo to start working, it needs a RPM signal from a fan that is connected to CPU_FAN header.
What you can test is just to plug any fan (except the stock fan from Hyper 212 EVO) into CPU_OPT header while leaving all other fan headers empty. If your system POSTS and you can get to BIOS, then you have a backup connector for CPU cooler, just in case CPU_FAN header might sustain some damage during the operation.
If your system doesn't POST when you have a fan plugged only into CPU_OPT header then you don't have the backup but you still can get your system working fine. Just connect properly working fan into CPU_FAN header for your system to work.

I plugged in the stock fan from the Hyper 212 EVO into the CPU_OPT and left CHA_FAN2 empty and got to bios. Bios told me that there was a fan speed error for my CPU fan and to make sure my CPU fan was in CPU_FAN header. Do you still want me to do the same test, but without using that stock fan or does that tell you what you need to know? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean about the backup stuff. Do I need to do something with the backup stuff? Since I get to bios with having a fan in the CPU_OPT header by itself but it doesn't boot or even make the fans spin if I have the CPU fan in the CPU_FAN header by itself, what does that mean?

UPDATE: For whatever reason, I checked once again and put the stock EVO 212 fan into the CPU_FAN header by itself, and now all the fans work and it gets to bios! It wasn't doing that at all before with this same header configuration, so I have no clue what is going on. If it isn't just a fluke, my last remaining concern is that even though my chasis fan is spinning, it is spinning noticeably slower than the others (slower to start spinning and stutters/slows down while trying to maintain a high speed)

 

[Aeacus]

I plugged in the stock fan from the Hyper 212 EVO into the CPU_OPT and left CHA_FAN2 empty and got to bios. Bios told me that there was a fan speed error for my CPU fan and to make sure my CPU fan was in CPU_FAN header. Do you still want me to do the same test, but without using that stock fan or does that tell you what you need to know? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean about the backup stuff. Do I need to do something with the backup stuff? Since I get to bios with having a fan in the CPU_OPT header by itself but it doesn't boot or even make the fans spin if I have the CPU fan in the CPU_FAN header by itself, what does that mean?

While you can use CPU_OPT as backup fan header, it gives you an error what it's supposed to give.

At this point, no further testing is required and to fix your system, you need to replace the stock defective Hyper 212 EVO fan with any other 120mm fan. Install your replacement fan to your CPU heatsink and plug it into CPU_FAN header.
After that, you're golden since your system POSTS and you can continue setting up your system.

 

[mbilal2]

So it was your CPU cooler the whole time... Should have left to the pros.
Good luck bro.

 

[Lawnop]

I plugged in the stock fan from the Hyper 212 EVO into the CPU_OPT and left CHA_FAN2 empty and got to bios. Bios told me that there was a fan speed error for my CPU fan and to make sure my CPU fan was in CPU_FAN header. Do you still want me to do the same test, but without using that stock fan or does that tell you what you need to know? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean about the backup stuff. Do I need to do something with the backup stuff? Since I get to bios with having a fan in the CPU_OPT header by itself but it doesn't boot or even make the fans spin if I have the CPU fan in the CPU_FAN header by itself, what does that mean?

While you can use CPU_OPT as backup fan header, it gives you an error what it's supposed to give.

At this point, no further testing is required and to fix your system, you need to replace the stock defective Hyper 212 EVO fan with any other 120mm fan. Install your replacement fan to your CPU heatsink and plug it into CPU_FAN header.
After that, you're golden since your system POSTS and you can continue setting up your system.

So in the meantime while I get a new CPU fan, it's ok to put a fan in the CPU_OPT header and use that to cool my CPU and just ignore the errors, correct? Thank you very much for your help! And is there nothing to be done about the chasis fan that isn't maintaining its speed like the others? Would replacing that fan too fix that speed issue?

 

[mbilal2]

Chassis fan runs slower than the CPU fan. It's totally normal. OPT cpu is controlled with the cpu fan header meaning CPU_OPT runs slower than the CPU_FAN. So if you want it to run as fast as the CPU fan, you have to disable Q-fan on the cpu fan header as well through BIOS. Once you so this, CPU_OPT will run as fast as the CPU_FAN.

 

[Lawnop]

So it was your CPU cooler the whole time... Should have left to the pros.
Good luck bro.

It was such a weird problem. And you're the one who helped me find it in the first place by telling me to try the fan in all the headers! I really couldn't have lasted this long without you. You've stayed by my side for like 12 hours now trying to troubleshoot with me, and I'm eternally grateful for it. Thank you very much my friend.

 

[Lawnop]

Chassis fan runs slower than the CPU fan. It's totally normal. OPT cpu is controlled with the cpu fan header meaning CPU_OPT runs slower than the CPU_FAN. So if you want it to run as fast as the CPU fan, you have to disable Q-fan on the cpu fan header as well through BIOS. Once you so this, CPU_OPT will run as fast as the CPU_FAN.

I never saw the chasis fan spin when it was behind the grill that goes over the front, so if it is supposed to run slower and I don't have to worry about it being faulty in some way, I'll take your word for it. So while I wait for a new fan to go into CPU_FAN header, just disable Q-Fan in the bios so CPU_OPT header that the CPU fan will be plugged into will cool it just as fast as it normally would, correct?

 

[mbilal2]

I never saw the chasis fan spin when it was behind the grill that goes over the front, so if it is supposed to run slower and I don't have to worry about it being faulty in some way, I'll take your word for it. So while I wait for a new fan to go into CPU_FAN header, just disable Q-Fan in the bios so CPU_OPT header that the CPU fan will be plugged into will cool it just as fast as it normally would, correct?

Yep. CPU_OPT is a backup for your main CPU fan. By default it runs at almost half the speed so you need to make it run at full power by disabling Q-Fan. Still wait to see what Aeacus thinks. Also monitor your temps to make sure nothing is off the charts.

Glad to help.

Cheers.

 

[Lawnop]

I never saw the chasis fan spin when it was behind the grill that goes over the front, so if it is supposed to run slower and I don't have to worry about it being faulty in some way, I'll take your word for it. So while I wait for a new fan to go into CPU_FAN header, just disable Q-Fan in the bios so CPU_OPT header that the CPU fan will be plugged into will cool it just as fast as it normally would, correct?

Yep. CPU_OPT is a backup for your main CPU fan. By default it runs at almost half the speed so you need to make it run at full power by disabling Q-Fan. Still wait to see what Aeacus thinks. Also monitor your temps to make sure nothing is off the charts.

Glad to help.

Cheers.

Perfect, that sounds easy enough. THank you very much again. You were a huge help and you're the only one to stay with me for the whole ride and that means a lot.

 

[mbilal2]

Perfect, that sounds easy enough. THank you very much again. You were a huge help and you're the only one to stay with me for the whole ride and that means a lot.

You owe me dinner lol jk.

Keep us posted when the new fan arrives.
Now I know what to add to my troubleshooting list and can help 20+ other people facing similar issues.
Cheers.

 

[Aeacus]

So it was your CPU cooler the whole time... Should have left to the pros.
Good luck bro.

Don't feel bad that you didn't thought to check if CPU fan might be the issue. Though, experience is the hardest kind of teacher since it gives you the test first, and the lesson afterward. 😉

So in the meantime while I get a new CPU fan, it's ok to put a fan in the CPU_OPT header and use that to cool my CPU and just ignore the errors, correct? Thank you very much for your help! And is there nothing to be done about the chasis fan that isn't maintaining its speed like the others? Would replacing that fan too fix that speed issue?

It's fine to keep your CPU cooler fan in CPU_OPT header for time being.

If you don't want to see the constant error, you can go to BIOS and set the low speed limit of CPU_FAN header to "ignore". Your MoBo manual, page 3-20, chapter "3.7 Monitor menu", sub chapter "Qfan Configuration" is the one you need to do it. Just remember to reverse the change once you get replacement CPU cooling fan. Or you can leave it as is and see the error as a reminder, every time you boot up.

As far as your low spinning chassis fan goes, do you know the max RPM value it can spin? If the max RPM is low (e.g 1200 RPM) and since your chassis fan is controlled default by internal temp, it can spin quite slow.
Though, you can set the manual fan curve to each of your connected fan from the BIOS. MoBo manual, pages 3-7 and 3-8, chapter "3.2.3 QFan Control" explains that.

 

[Lawnop]

So it was your CPU cooler the whole time... Should have left to the pros.
Good luck bro.

Don't feel bad that you didn't thought to check if CPU fan might be the issue. Though, experience is the hardest kind of teacher since it gives you the test first, and the lesson afterward. 😉

So in the meantime while I get a new CPU fan, it's ok to put a fan in the CPU_OPT header and use that to cool my CPU and just ignore the errors, correct? Thank you very much for your help! And is there nothing to be done about the chasis fan that isn't maintaining its speed like the others? Would replacing that fan too fix that speed issue?

It's fine to keep your CPU cooler fan in CPU_OPT header for time being.

If you don't want to see the constant error, you can go to BIOS and set the low speed limit of CPU_FAN header to "ignore". Your MoBo manual, page 3-20, chapter "3.7 Monitor menu", sub chapter "Qfan Configuration" is the one you need to do it. Just remember to reverse the change once you get replacement CPU cooling fan. Or you can leave it as is and see the error as a reminder, every time you boot up.

As far as your low spinning chassis fan goes, do you know the max RPM value it can spin? If the max RPM is low (e.g 1200 RPM) and since your chassis fan is controlled default by internal temp, it can spin quite slow.
Though, you can set the manual fan curve to each of your connected fan from the BIOS. MoBo manual, pages 3-7 and 3-8, chapter "3.2.3 QFan Control" explains that.

Ok, that all sounds good. Thank you!

Unfortunately I do not know the RPM value it can spin, is there a way to find out in the bios perhaps? I no longer have the boxes the fans came in to check that way.

 

[Lawnop]

Perfect, that sounds easy enough. THank you very much again. You were a huge help and you're the only one to stay with me for the whole ride and that means a lot.

You owe me dinner lol jk.

Keep us posted when the new fan arrives.
Now I know what to add to my troubleshooting list and can help 20+ other people facing similar issues.
Cheers.

I owe you a whole day's worth of meals with the time we spent together! I don't know if the thread locks once I choose a solution, but I can always PM you how it goes once the new fans comes. Thank you for all your time today, get some well deserved rest!

 

[Aeacus]

One way to check the fan's max RPM is to select "full speed" profile from Qfan control and afterwards check the RPM value from "EZ mode" page.
MoBo manual, page 3-3, chapter "3.2.1 EZ Mode" shows image of "EZ mode" page. At the bottom left, there's all connected fan RPM values displayed.

Edit:
Topic isn't locked once your select the Best Answer. By selecting the solution, the discussion in the topic can continue. Just other experts in the forums can see that you've found your solution and they can focus on other people's issues.

 

[mbilal2]

I owe you a whole day's worth of meals with the time we spent together! I don't know if the thread locks once I choose a solution, but I can always PM you how it goes once the new fans comes. Thank you for all your time today, get some well deserved rest!

Gonna spend the night troubleshooting, giving advice and stuff lol. Sure thing. PM with updates/issues anytime. And send pics of your rig once it's ready!

 

[Lawnop]

One way to check the fan's max RPM is to select "full speed" profile from Qfan control and afterwards check the RPM value from "EZ mode" page.
MoBo manual, page 3-3, chapter "3.2.1 EZ Mode" shows image of "EZ mode" page. At the bottom left, there's all connected fan RPM values displayed.

Edit:
Topic isn't locked once your select the Best Answer. By selecting the solution, the discussion in the topic can continue. Just other experts in the forums can see that you've found your solution and they can focus on other people's issues.

Ok, thank you. So if the max speed is something like 1200 RPM then it has no hope of going faster or I can just adjust it like to go faster if I want it to be in the Qfan control like you said? I'm sorry I keep missing all this stuff in the manual. I promise I read it a few times trying to do all this troubleshooting.

 

[Aeacus]

MoBo manual is basically the holy bible when it comes to building your PC and troubleshooting the issues. So, do read your MoBo manual.

If you select the "full speed" profile from Qfan control and if the fan doesn't spin any faster than 1200 RPM +/-10%, then this is the max speed this specific fan can do.
Most airflow fans max RPM range falls between 1100 RPM and 1500 RPM. Static pressure fans usually are 2000 RPM to 2400 RPM. Noctua has even 3000 RPM fans to offer. Though, currently the fastest spinning case fan you can get spins at 11000 RPM.
Video of 11000 RPM fan too, youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAFB9w2Rh0Y

 

[Lawnop]

MoBo manual is basically the holy bible when it comes to building your PC and troubleshooting the issues. So, do read your MoBo manual.

If you select the "full speed" profile from Qfan control and if the fan doesn't spin any faster than 1200 RPM +/-10%, then this is the max speed this specific fan can do.
Most airflow fans max RPM range falls between 1100 RPM and 1500 RPM. Static pressure fans usually are 2000 RPM to 2400 RPM. Noctua has even 3000 RPM fans to offer. Though, currently the fastest spinning case fan you can get spins at 11000 RPM.
Video of 11000 RPM fan too, youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAFB9w2Rh0Y

Alright, that makes sense that it can't go over the limit it says. I'll look at it tomorrow after what I take a rest.

Wow, I'm surprised the fan can't make everything fly away going that fast!

 

[Lawnop]

I owe you a whole day's worth of meals with the time we spent together! I don't know if the thread locks once I choose a solution, but I can always PM you how it goes once the new fans comes. Thank you for all your time today, get some well deserved rest!

Gonna spend the night troubleshooting, giving advice and stuff lol. Sure thing. PM with updates/issues anytime. And send pics of your rig once it's ready!

Here's a quick photo of it before I put on the rest of the casing. Thanks again for everyone's help!
http://imgur.com/a/82J9d