ASUS Z87-A + G3258 DOES NOT POST (red cpu led)

[swiftlaker]

Hi all.

I built a new system today, and everything is in fine, but the system will not post. The fans are spinning, the mouse is receiving power, but the system does not have any video ouput/does not post.

What to do?

Also, can I attach photos (new to this forum!) ?

 

[Vitric9]

Calmly fallow the troubleshoot guides which are , for the most part, the same. Chances are you have seen this one in some forum or another...hehe...
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems ..... If i were to guess i would say that this is a Display adapter issue of some kind. Are you using a Graphics card , re-seat it in the PCI-E slot. Sometimes the Second PCI-E Slot just won't go to work without some kicking and screaming first. Also the Pentium G3258 is a Haswell Refresh so there is a chance the you may need to update the BIOS.

 

[clutchc]

Do you have the MB BIOS updated for the Haswell Refresh chips?

 

[swiftlaker]

In reference to the bios updates, I cant do anything. The system won't post at all. No video output. Black screen.

 

[swiftlaker]

Btw, I've gone through teh list. I haven't refreshed teh CMOS

Would I have to borrow someones CPU and do a BIOS update and then try to see if my G3258 works?

 

[clutchc]

In reference to the bios updates, I cant do anything. The system won't post at all. No video output. Black screen.

It's sounding more and more like the MB has an old BIOS that doesn't recognize the newer Haswell CPUs. Where did you buy the board and CPU from?

 

[swiftlaker]

In reference to the bios updates, I cant do anything. The system won't post at all. No video output. Black screen.

It's sounding more and more like the MB has an old BIOS that doesn't recognize the newer Haswell CPUs. Where did you buy the board and CPU from?

I bought all my components from MSY. The motherboard was on clearance so I think you are correct, that it is on an older bios. I called up MSY and they told me that I should source an older haswell (e.g. i7 4770k) and boot up my system, install windows, and then do a bios update. I tried to take teh CPU out to see if the system would boot but the CPU led remained on.

 

[clutchc]

If you can borrow a non-refresh haswell, that would be the way to go. The G3258 takes the 2004 BIOS: http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Z87A/HelpDesk_CPU/
You could also pick up a cheap used or new Celeron of one of the earlier BIOSs and use that. Then sell the Celeron.

 

[swiftlaker]

According to this: http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/list.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&s=45&m=Z87-A&os=&hashedid=P9uezwvooiPKWuqX

There are these bios' for this mobo: 1504, 1802, 1207, 2005, 1007, 0801.

If I get my hands on a non-refresh, could I run into teh same problem again? How do I know what bios my mobo is without a boot, and is there a way to update it without boot
?

 

[clutchc]

That's the problem, you don't know how old the BIOS is and no way of finding out short of contacting Asus and seeing if they can verify by the serial number. Your retailer should never have sold you the board and CPU together if there was a chance of a mismatch.

You could bid on one of these if you have a paypal account: http://www.ebay.com/sch/CPUs-Processors-/164/i.html?_from=R40&LH_ItemCondition=3000&_nkw=celeron+g1820&rt=nc&LH_Auction=1

Or contact the retailer and see if they have a used one they will "sell" you with a guarantee of allowing you to RMA it for a refund. Threaten them with a total system RMA if not.

 

[Vitric9]

Btw, I've gone through teh list. I haven't refreshed teh CMOS

Would I have to borrow someones CPU and do a BIOS update and then try to see if my G3258 works?

I think the Z87 A has BIOS flashback. All you need is the MB and PSU . CPU maybe.

 

[swiftlaker]

I went to the local store and got the latest bios (the board had bios 0800 or something and the newest was 2107!)

The system posted with an older pentium processor, but after the bios update and then a restart, it WOULD NOT BOOT AGAIN. The dude tehn tried it with a celeron and the system booted only when the ram was changed (I have Patriot Signature 8gb).

Then, with the new bios, I brought in my CPU AND THE THING STILL DOES NOT BOOT FGS. Latest bios and does not boot. Still the same light flashing.

Latest bios.

 

[swiftlaker]

Your retailer should never have sold you the board and CPU together if there was a chance of a mismatch..

The person at the store said the exact same thing. But if I call them, will they even take that seriously?
It should be compatible via ASUS' website.

 

[swiftlaker]

I should also say, the CPU LED error light remains on even when there is no CPU. Its the only error light that stays on

 

[Vitric9]

Have you tried any other Memory modules? or Try different slots with 1 stick. Likely the CPU is fine if the fans system is trying to POST and fans spin. What are the rest of your SPecs for PSU, GPU, and Memory Configuration.

 

[Vitric9]

It may be that the boot order or something is not correct maybe it is loading from a disk when it should be using the primary drive. ... Perhaps you may need to reflash(Only if necessary) if your MB does not have Asus USB BIOS Flashback . Performing these steps can have your CMOS battery reset.....then to try and post.
There is CMOS Jumper :
a) Power off. Unplug.
b) Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 ( default ) to pins 2-3. Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for about 5-10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1-2.
c) re-connect 'er to the PSU.
d) Power up and enter UEFI via Del or F2 , or F7. Enter the Values in the UEFI BIOS under Boot or Boot Priority

 

[swiftlaker]

It may be that the boot order or something is not correct maybe it is loading from a disk when it should be using the primary drive. ... Perhaps you may need to reflash(Only if necessary) if your MB does not have Asus USB BIOS Flashback . Performing these steps can have your CMOS battery reset.....then to try and post.
There is CMOS Jumper :
a) Power off. Unplug.
b) Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 ( default ) to pins 2-3. Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for about 5-10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1-2.
c) re-connect 'er to the PSU.
d) Power up and enter UEFI via Del or F2 , or F7. Enter the Values in the UEFI BIOS under Boot or Boot Priority

I've tried this and I'm not sure it did anything (that I noticed).

Systsem still did not boot.

"Have you tried any other Memory modules? or Try different slots with 1 stick. Likely the CPU is fine if the fans system is trying to POST and fans spin. What are the rest of your SPecs for PSU, GPU, and Memory Configuration."

I haven't tried other memory as I have none available. The case is the Thermaltake Versa II w/ integrated 500w PSU. No GPU, Patriot Signature 8gb 1600mhz.

I still think the problem is the old bios. But I need to be able to post and install windows before I can update the BIOS. The problem is getting my hands on a working, older cpu.