MSI Z170-a pro problem

[xantia66]

I just bought a MSI Z170-a Pro motherboard along with an Intel processor i5 7500, and a set of Corsair Vengeance LPX 2x4 DDR4 2400. That, to be installed in a -also new- Corsair Carbide 100R with a PSU NZXT HaleV82 550W 80%Bronze.
All set, with my SSD and HDD, the motherboard refuses to start o even post anything. The red led in the mobo shows power. also both the processor and the Sys Fans work smoothly.
Firstly I suspect the GPU (brand new R7 350 2 GB) because the litle fan it has, didn´t turn. But after testing it works fine in my old mobo and switching to the GPU integrated with no success, showed me the problem is with the motherboard.
As stated in the manual, I put the RAM in dual channel, in slots 2 4. Should this be the cause? Changing the RAM set to the slots 1 3 may solve the problem?

 

[Suztera]

Look at the EZ debug LEd and see if it indicates a problem.
Run through the checklist:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/faq/id-1893016/post-system-boot-video-output-troubleshooting-checklist.html

 

[greens]

hm, usually we try and make sure we POST before we install the rig into the case.

I would break it down to just the motherboard, CPU w/cooler, and a single stick of RAM.
Plug a monitor into the mobo and a keyboard into the mobo.

Does it POST then? If it doesn't post, what does it do exactly?

 

[BadAsAl]

You can try switching the RAM to the other slots or just try with 1 stick in any of the slots. Some boards need RAM slots filled in a certain order, so maybe 1 and 3 is it for that one. If that still doesn't work, take everything out except the bare necessities. CPU, PSU, Boot drive, GPU if no integrated, 1 stick of RAM and try booting.

 

[greens]

The i5 7500 has integrated graphics - POST it without a GPU.
There is no need for a boot drive to POST - test it without a HDD.

 

[xantia66]

thanks for the responses. I actually checked the RAM swiching and with only 1 stick in all the slots. I also removed the HDD, SDD and the graphics card (R7 350 2 Gb new) and connected to the integrated graphics plug. All with no success. The monitor receive no signal. Besides that, the motherboard only do the following: a red led lighted up in the mobo for a few seconds, then turn off while sys fans and cpu fans continue working fine.
With no RAM sticks at all, the only difference is the red led remain on.
I suspect now of the Intel i5 7500 as the culprit of the no post: as stated in MSI, this motherboard (Z170-a pro) needs a Bios upgrade to catch up with this new Kaby lake processors. But I have no other Intel processor that fit in a LGA 1151 socket in order to check i f the mobo starts in that case! I thought I could easily upgrade the bios with the motherboard posting in a monitor.
There´s no way to update the Bios with the current I5 7500 in? I asked MSI but no answer from them until now. Thanks for any help on this.

 

[greens]

You are 100% correct and I apologiz for not catching it earlier. This is a very common issue and we should have noticed a kabylake in a Skylake mobo, which will require a BIOS update.

A CPU is required for most BIOS uodates.

You in a rough position. You can buy the cheapest Skylake processor and then return it when you're done.

 

[Suztera]

thanks for the responses. I actually checked the RAM swiching and with only 1 stick in all the slots. I also removed the HDD, SDD and the graphics card (R7 350 2 Gb new) and connected to the integrated graphics plug. All with no success. The monitor receive no signal. Besides that, the motherboard only do the following: a red led lighted up in the mobo for a few seconds, then turn off while sys fans and cpu fans continue working fine.
With no RAM sticks at all, the only difference is the red led remain on.
I suspect now of the Intel i5 7500 as the culprit of the no post: as stated in MSI, this motherboard (Z170-a pro) needs a Bios upgrade to catch up with this new Kaby lake processors. But I have no other Intel processor that fit in a LGA 1151 socket in order to check i f the mobo starts in that case! I thought I could easily upgrade the bios with the motherboard posting in a monitor.
There´s no way to update the Bios with the current I5 7500 in? I asked MSI but no answer from them until now. Thanks for any help on this.

If you just bought your motherboard, try returning it to the place you bought and buy a H270 or B250 instead.

 

[xantia66]

Finally, the culprit for the no post was that this motherboard MSI Z170 can´t cope with Kaby Lake processors until a BIOS/UEFI upgrade to version 1.F. And that BIOS flash can only be done with an older processor in (6th gen). Newer versions of the same motherboard came with latest BIOS versions already in.
As I had no 6th gen intel processor to do the flash, I sent the combo motherboard-micro back to the seller to do the Bios upgrade. After receiving it back, evertyhing works fine!! Thanks to all you people who oriented me to find the solution!!