MSI Z170A Krait Troubleshooting

[InsomniaDays]

Hey all,

I'm putting together my first rig and I've bumped into a problem. I'm using the MSI Z170A Krait motherboard and currently I have 1 stick of 8GB DDR4 ram install, the i5-6600K CPU on it with cooler attached, along with my MSI R9 390 GPU.

Upon shorting the power pins to start it up, the mobo lights up, the CPU and GPU fans start spinning, but nothing is being sent to monitor.

I looked at the "EZ Debug LEDs" on the mobo and the CPU and DRAM lights alternate flashing. I tried then to uninstall the stick of RAM to see what lights would flash, and only the DRAM LED lit up, indicating that "DRAM is not detected or fail".

Upon reinstalling the stick of RAM, the CPU LED starts to lit up along with the DRAM LED. This makes no sense to me and I'm helplessly confused as to how to fix this.

Below is my current rig. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!

URL HERE: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Jj6bgs

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z170A KRAIT GAMING ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($149.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($45.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.98 @ Mac Mall)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.80 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 390 8GB Video Card ($329.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($125.98 @ Newegg)

 

[Tradesman1]

In the BIOS is the primary video set to PCI-E/PEG or is it onboard video? If onboard video works check that

 

[InsomniaDays]

In the BIOS is the primary video set to PCI-E/PEG or is it onboard video? If onboard video works check that

How do I get to BIOS? I can't see anything on the screen.

Side note, is getting to BIOS = POST/POSTING?

Edit: I tried both using GPU and mobo monitor ports but nothing works.

 

[Tom_1_]

In the BIOS is the primary video set to PCI-E/PEG or is it onboard video? If onboard video works check that

How do I get to BIOS? I can't see anything on the screen.

Side note, is getting to BIOS = POST/POSTING?

Edit: I tried both using GPU and mobo monitor ports but nothing works.

Why 1 Stick of Memory? Afaik its s Dual Channel Board,so you Need at least 2 RAM Sticks to bring it to life.

 

[beastaudio]

In the BIOS is the primary video set to PCI-E/PEG or is it onboard video? If onboard video works check that

How do I get to BIOS? I can't see anything on the screen.

Side note, is getting to BIOS = POST/POSTING?

Edit: I tried both using GPU and mobo monitor ports but nothing works.

Did you ever get a solution for this problem? I just finished a build almost identical to yours and am having the exact same issue. Removing one stick of ram allows the computer to boot (I think, at least it gets rid of error leds) but I never get any video output either from the onboard hdmi or the gtx 980ti that I have installed. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Dennis_Wiskirchen]

Hello fellow friend i just had the problem today looking for a answer and now the problem is not there anymore. Listen up but howerver stupid it may sound you HAVE to get another ram stick to let your computer work. You have to put them into the first two slots on the left side otherwise it isnt working i tried evrything to let my pc work build it 3 times up and 1 time with the 2 ram sticks in the first 2 slots and sudenly it worked withoot a proper reason. I even switched the ram and then it isnt working showing 2 the red led´s.
I hope you read this get a second ram stick and have much fun witch your pc.

In love <3 Dennis Wiskirchen (Reply this message when it worked so i can be 100% sure that that is the problem)

 

[Tradesman1]

If your DRAM doesn't work in slots 1-3 or 2-4 it may well be the CPU cooler is too tight in a corner or side which can throw off your MC (memory controller) - another cause for losing a channel is bent pins in the socket

 

[sbog4215]

Hello fellow friend i just had the problem today looking for a answer and now the problem is not there anymore. Listen up but howerver stupid it may sound you HAVE to get another ram stick to let your computer work. You have to put them into the first two slots on the left side otherwise it isnt working i tried evrything to let my pc work build it 3 times up and 1 time with the 2 ram sticks in the first 2 slots and sudenly it worked withoot a proper reason. I even switched the ram and then it isnt working showing 2 the red led´s.
I hope you read this get a second ram stick and have much fun witch your pc.

Omg I was having the exact same issue as OP and this worked! Was finally able to get into post. When I power on with my ram in slot 1 and 2, the DRAM led flashes for a bit, and so does the VGA led (didn't do this before) but then they both turn off and the computer enters into post! Yes! Thanks mate, really appreciate your help!

 

[Renzo_]

But doing that by put the ram on 1st and 2nd slot will cause you to have single channel instead of dual channel

 

[sbog4215]

But doing that by put the ram on 1st and 2nd slot will cause you to have single channel instead of dual channel

True. But single channel is better than no channel (i.e. the computer not booting). I wasn't able to find another solution. I read somewhere that the issue might have something to do with the CPU cooler being too tightly screwed on, pressing down on the CPU, and thus interfering with the ram recognition. *Shrugs*

 

[Tradesman1]

Yes that happens often with third party coolers, just try loosening the cooler then snug it down to screw tight and try

 

[sbog4215]

Yes that happens often with third party coolers, just try loosening the cooler then snug it down to screw tight and try

I tried loosening the screws connecting the back plate of the cooler to the mobo but the pc still won't boot unless the ram is in slots 1 and 2. Any other ideas on why this is the case? Is it a big deal if I just roll with single channel? Thanks in advance!

 

[Tradesman1]

That'll be your call, I'd rather have everything working as it should, if something is off it can lead to other problems

 

[ralperb]

You must update your bios. I had the same problem but after the bios update I can use all 4 RAM slots.

 

[sbog4215]

You must update your bios. I had the same problem but after the bios update I can use all 4 RAM slots.

I can confirm that this is correct! I just updated my bios and my PC now boots with ram in slots 3 and 4. Thank you Ralperb!!

 

[CreepedFire30]

Was There A Way To Update The BIOS Without The RAM. I've Been Having The Same Problem With My PC, I Built It The Other Day But I Can't Get It To Display Anything (Through IO or GPU) And The Person I Was Building It With Said That My RAM Wasn't Supported Unless I Updated The BIOS, I Don't Have Any Other Sticks Of DDR4 RAM Though So Was There A Way To Update It Without RAM? Thanks.

 

[sbog4215]

Was There A Way To Update The BIOS Without The RAM. I've Been Having The Same Problem With My PC, I Built It The Other Day But I Can't Get It To Display Anything (Through IO or GPU) And The Person I Was Building It With Said That My RAM Wasn't Supported Unless I Updated The BIOS, I Don't Have Any Other Sticks Of DDR4 RAM Though So Was There A Way To Update It Without RAM? Thanks.

Try turning your pc on with the ram in slots 1 and 2 (rather than 1 and 3). This allowed my pc to start up. I could then update the mobo. I was then able to get it working even when I moved the ram back to slot 1 and 3.

If this doesn't work, try loosening the CPU cooler. Apparently it can interfere with ram recognition if it's pressing down too tight.

Good luck!

 

[CreepedFire30]

Thanks, I Managed To Get It To Work. I Had To Loosen The Cooler A Bit But My RAM Only Works When Its In The 3rd Slot. I Still Have To Update It Though, Thanks For The Help.

 

[Tradesman1]

If loosening the cooler helped as was suggested earlier and still problems, next would be to check for bent/broken pins

 

[CreepedFire30]

I'll Have To Check, I'm Continuing Building It Later Today. I Managed To Update The BIOS But So Far The RAM Still Only Works In The 3rd Slot, So I Can't Use My Second Stick. I'll Check For Bent Pins When I Work On It Later. If The Pins Aren't Bent Then Does Anyone Know Why My RAM Only Works In The 3rd Slot And Not The Others, Also The MB Only Allows My RAM To Operate At 2133 When It Should Be At 3000. Thanks