[SOLVED] Gigabyte X870E AORUS Pro Ice powers on but does not get to BIOS, 4d error code and DRAM warning light before auto shutdown

[Qwenloswen]

I realize this is very similar to the post just a few below mine with the same error code and warning light but as parts are just different enough I'm making a unique post for my issue. I built the pc back around the end of November/early December and it has had zero issues until recently (under a month, more than two weeks) when it started having issues starting but re-seating the RAM usually resolved the issue. I already triple-checked and all parts are compatible so having it work this long doesn't appear to be a fluke.

Now when it fails to start it doesn't even get far enough to post to BIOS before it shuts itself down showing a 4d error on the board. Red DRAM light is on from the get-go. All lights in the case turn on and most everything starts except the cooler for some reason (initially it did but after a CMOS reset this stopped). I was experiencing this issue even before now so I had previously taken it to Micro Center to take a look since I was just tired at that point but when they tried to pull a bait and switch on prices and work time (and were condescending to boot) I brought it home instead after which it started up no problem. Apparently it just wanted to go on a road trip. (I knew it wasn't a permanent fix by any means as nothing had actually been resolved but was too tired to dive into it at the time.)

Now however the issue appears permanent. I have tried the following with no luck:
Turned off, unplugged, and drained power (multiple times, anywhere from 10 minutes to overnight)
Re-seated RAM
Tried RAM in the opposite slot (ie the one in A2 put in B2 and vice-versa)
Tried each stick solo
Pulled the CPU and visually checked it (no issues detected, cooler initially still started afterwards)
CMOS reset (via shorting the pins because the battery is located under a plate under the GPU)

Motherboard: Gigabyte X870E AORUS Pro Ice (1.0)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
RAM: TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB 64GB (2 x 32GB)
GPU: Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super
PSU: MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 1000 Watt
Cooler: Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer III

Any insight or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Your motherboard allows you to flash the BIOS without the need for ram or a CPU, give that a whirl and see if that revives your platform. Use this guide;

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cQLYROKJ_Q

(different board but the principle remains the same)to help you reflash the BIOS on the motherboard.

You might want to drop your processor and/or ram onto another known working motherboard(with the right BIOS version) and see if the issue persists. Depending on the part that behaves the same as your current system, you RMA it.

Apparently it just wanted to go on a road trip.
The only thing different about your abode and MicroCenter is the source of power, which leads me to think you might be having a grounding issue.

I already triple-checked and all parts are compatible so having it work this long doesn't appear to be a fluke.
Electronic devices can die either within or beyond the warranty period.

 

[Qwenloswen]

Your motherboard allows you to flash the BIOS without the need for ram or a CPU, give that a whirl and see if that revives your platform.
I'm aware of Q-Flash+ but as the power doesn't remain on for more than a couple minutes I'm hesitant to do it as a half-flashed BIOS is surely worse than one that had previously been working before all this started.

You might want to drop your processor and/or ram onto another known working motherboard(with the right BIOS version) and see if the issue persists. Depending on the part that behaves the same as your current system, you RMA it.
I would love to do this but do not have another board available as my last build is so severely out of date that none of my new parts would work on it. Buying another just for testing is not economically feasible.

The only thing different about your abode and MicroCenter is the source of power, which leads me to think you might be having a grounding issue.
As stated above they literally never did anything to it, as I doubt they have a magic field around their store literally the only change between getting plugged in and not working at home and getting plugged in (to the same place) and working at home was getting jostled across half the city.

Electronic devices can die either within or beyond the warranty period.
I am well aware, which is why I'm here. Mentioning that everything is compatible is just so nobody wastes their time recommending that as something to check.

 

[aythrea]

I've been helping qwen personally with this ...adventure.

There's merit to q-flash+. If its true the bios can be reflashed without CPU or Memory on board, then a failure would automatically rule those out leaving only the board. At which point RMA/Replace territory.

 

[Tristin66]

I have been having booting issues since installing this motherboard. I’ve ran memtest86+ also to ensure the ram is good. I’ve check cpu, I’ve flashed the bios, I’ve updated drivers, changed boot up device, reset coms, removed all components multiple times and completely re installed windows. None of this has worked. I am getting the same 4d error code and a couple other boot issue codes with the dram light on. However my computer will not automatically shutdown. It will stay on with that code. I can cycle the power on and off and get lucky for it to actually boot up and then it runs completely fine. I’ve been fighting with this for over a month now with no luck. Next step is sending the motherboard back to gigabyte for them to check. Unless someone else can help us out. Thank you.

 

[aythrea]

I have been having booting issues since installing this motherboard. I’ve ran memtest86+ also to ensure the ram is good. I’ve check cpu, I’ve flashed the bios, I’ve updated drivers, changed boot up device, reset coms, removed all components multiple times and completely re installed windows. None of this has worked. I am getting the same 4d error code and a couple other boot issue codes with the dram light on. However my computer will not automatically shutdown. It will stay on with that code. I can cycle the power on and off and get lucky for it to actually boot up and then it runs completely fine. I’ve been fighting with this for over a month now with no luck. Next step is sending the motherboard back to gigabyte for them to check. Unless someone else can help us out. Thank you.

Honestly, after much discussion and additional troubleshooting, the decision to return the board was made. It's not worth the fight.