[SOLVED] Building a threadripper setup on ASUS motherboard - doesn't work

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Oct 20, 2020
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Hi,

I've run into a problem and I would really appreciate a piece of advice.

I've asembelled the computer on an Asus motherboard (Prime TRX40) with AMD threadripper 3970X, Asus graphics card, be quiet dark pro 3, two 16GB Aegis DDR4 memory cards and M2 ssd. I then connected everything to a Sharkoon power supply. The problem is when I try to turn it on the motherboard lightens up so there is power coming in but I cannot start the computer. I don't know where the problem lies, whether it's the power on button not working properly or maybe I connected something wrong, or a faulty part. Where should I look for mistakes? I checked all the connectors and they seem to fit it nice and solid, I tried removing one of the memory cards but none of it makes any difference.

PS. I haven't got a case for it yet and I'm running to start the computer by pressing the power on button on the motherboard.

PPS. Just in case I have uploaded a video to YT where I've tried to show all the connections and talk you through what I did.
View: https://youtu.be/t0LJdRgy0rY


Thank you guys!
 
Solution
First of all, thank you for all your help you've given me so far.

I haven't got any speaker at hand unfortunately so I won't check it now. But I'd like to try the thing with the screw driver, I'm just not sure which pins to join. I'm uploading a picture in the link.
https://ibb.co/znTv7DV
Manual: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Prime-TRX40-Pro/HelpDesk_Manual/

Page 1-22 (English version) gives you all the pinouts for the front panel switches and LED's.

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
I then connected everything to a Sharkoon power supply. The problem is when I try to turn it on the motherboard lightens up so there is power coming in but I cannot start the computer.

I'm scared to ask, but which Sharkoon PSU?

It's a totally different level of power required between lighting up some LEDs on the board & actually powering up a Threadripper system.
 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Yes, there's no sound, fans won't spin.

I'm really not sure.
A common issue with Threadripper is improper torque on the CPU socket which can lead to error messages and no-posts, but you'd see signs of life, spinning fans etc.

Perhaps you could post a video of hitting the power button and seeing if/how the board reacts? Long shot, but without a visual clue, I'm really not sure here.
 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
The board is not reacting at all apart from the lights. That's the link to YB video. Sorry if I haven't shown everything properly enough. Thank you!

Even with a hardware issue, that should at least be attempting to post.
EPS (x2) are connected, ATX 24pin, RAM + CPU_Cooler is all you should need.

I'm assuming you don't have a motherboard speaker to see if there's any beep codes? I'm very doubtful there would be, as there's no sign of life there are all, to trigger a failed post & generate beep codes.
 
Oct 20, 2020
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Well all the connectors I've got are: 24-pin motherboard connector, 2 CPU connectors and 1 CPU fan connector but I can't see anything I could try to connect the memory to.

I don't think the motherboard gives any sound signals, the only thing it has is a tiny shaded screen with two zeros on it next to the power button.

Could it be the problem with this power button?
 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Well all the connectors I've got are: 24-pin motherboard connector, 2 CPU connectors and 1 CPU fan connector but I can't see anything I could try to connect the memory to.

I was just listing off what you have / need to have connected, you have the RAM in it's slot(s).

I don't think the motherboard gives any sound signals, the only thing it has is a tiny shaded screen with two zeros on it next to the power button.

It won't natively, but you should be able to add a speaker... If you don't have one on hand though, it's irrelevant.

Could it be the problem with this power button?

It's possible. I can't say I've heard of a board shipping with a defective power switch as it shouldn't make it out of QC like that, but absolutely possible. Try shorting the pins (for PWR_SW) with a screwdriver. Typically on the bottom/bottom right of a board, but I'm not too familiar with that boards layout - and the pins will be labelled on the board &/or in the board manual.
 
Oct 20, 2020
9
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I was just listing off what you have / need to have connected, you have the RAM in it's slot(s).



It won't natively, but you should be able to add a speaker... If you don't have one on hand though, it's irrelevant.



It's possible. I can't say I've heard of a board shipping with a defective power switch as it shouldn't make it out of QC like that, but absolutely possible. Try shorting the pins (for PWR_SW) with a screwdriver. Typically on the bottom/bottom right of a board, but I'm not too familiar with that boards layout - and the pins will be labelled on the board &/or in the board manual.
 
Oct 20, 2020
9
0
10
First of all, thank you for all your help you've given me so far.

I haven't got any speaker at hand unfortunately so I won't check it now. But I'd like to try the thing with the screw driver, I'm just not sure which pins to join. I'm uploading a picture in the link.
https://ibb.co/znTv7DV
 
First of all, thank you for all your help you've given me so far.

I haven't got any speaker at hand unfortunately so I won't check it now. But I'd like to try the thing with the screw driver, I'm just not sure which pins to join. I'm uploading a picture in the link.
https://ibb.co/znTv7DV
Manual: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Prime-TRX40-Pro/HelpDesk_Manual/

Page 1-22 (English version) gives you all the pinouts for the front panel switches and LED's.
 
Solution
Oct 20, 2020
9
0
10
Manual: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/Prime-TRX40-Pro/HelpDesk_Manual/

Page 1-22 (English version) gives you all the pinouts for the front panel switches and LED's.
Thank you so much for your kind help! I've followed your instructions and found everything in the manual. I have tried shorting the pins yet unfortunately it doesn't help. Do you think I should try exchanging the motherboard (it's the only part I bought second-hand) or maybe it indicates the problem is with a different part? I'd be grateful for your advice 😊
 
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