Question Getting a Red + Yellow debug light on my MSI Pro B650-S Wifi Motherboard after an hour of use

[James_CH]

Got this build https://pcpartpicker.com/list/n4Fp9C working yesterday, didn't notice any issues with it besides the WIFI adapter not being found in the device manager, though I managed to connect to the wireless anyway by using my phone with USB tethering. Before long, an MSI menu appeared, listing all the drivers I had to install, which included the WIFI adapter. At some point afterwards, a notification popped up saying that I'd need to restart, and not long after that, my PC suddenly switched off. After this, I couldn't get it back on, with the Red + Yellow light on the motherboard, denoting a failure in the CPU and VRAM - though after everything I've checked, I'm not sure they're even related to the actual issue. Here's everything I've tried so far:

- Removing the Video Card and one Ram stick, leaving only the remaining one in the second slot, and switching on that way.
- Checking all the plugs in the PSU, unplugging and replugging.
- Leaving the computer on, with everything on, for about twenty minutes. The lights stay on, nothing happens on the display.
- BIOS flashes. Lots of BIOS flashes.
- Shorting JBAT1 for 15+ seconds (with the power cable disconnected, which didn't sound right, but whatever.). Did this three times.
- Reconnecting the Windows 11 USB stick, trying to switch on that way.
- Downloading the BIOS drivers onto a separate stick, and putting that in. Nope, I didn't have much faith in that.
- Removing the CPU cooler fans, looking for physical damage around that area. Nothing.

What I haven't tried
- Removing the CMOS battery. After at least three hours trying, I've given up. I've seen videos of others doing this easily, yet I couldn't, not without putting in way too much physical force. The contact looks fine, it just doesn't seem to work. Shorting JBAT1 is supposed to have the same effect, and that didn't do anything - though there's also no feedback to prove that I even successfully did that
- Reattaching the CPU. This seems like a total pain, and it *was* working fine. I don't want to risk damaging it, and doing this is somewhat of a last resort for me, not having a particularly steady hand.

If there's anything I'm missing short of disassembling the entire machine and starting again from scratch, I'd love to hear it.

As an additional note, my phone (plugged in to a usb slot) was restarted when the computer suddenly switched off, so for a time I was assuming a short circuit had occurred, and caused my phone to switch off. I'm unsure if that means anything.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

I wouldn't have invested into that Pro series motherboard when pairing with a Ryzen 7 processor. If you look into MSI's history you'll notice that the Pro series of boards were just entry level'ish boards.

BIOS flashes. Lots of BIOS flashes.
Which BIOS version did you flash to? Did you flash the BIOS using this guide;

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5fJ7DjmLTU

?
Did you clear the CMOS after verifying you flashed the BIOS to the latest version? You're advised to disconnect from the wall and display, then remove the CMOS battery, then press and hold down the power button for 30secs. Replace the battery after 30mins.

You would need to remove the CPU and inspect for any bent or broken pins. If you don't see anything in diffused light, you can place the system on it's side, then have the cooler merely rest on the IHS instead of mounting it down. Sometimes too much force on the mount can cause the pins to not make contact in the socket.

As an additional note, my phone (plugged in to a usb slot) was restarted when the computer suddenly switched off, so for a time I was assuming a short circuit had occurred, and caused my phone to switch off. I'm unsure if that means anything.
It could mean you have a grounding problem.

 

[James_CH]

When I was looking into motherboards, I was given the impression that all I needed was the cheapest motherboard that did everything I needed it to do. Still, can't say I'm standing by my choice in motherboard at the moment.

I was just plugging a regular memory stick in with a driver installed, I've never seen any other source saying it needed to be formatted like this clip does. I'll probably give that a shot next. Infuriating!

 

[lava2]

The red light near the CPU label indicates that something is wrong with the processor, Yellow light is an indication of several factors affect the RAM's functionality and compatibility with the system.