Question New ASUS Z270M-PLUS and new i7-7700 combo does nothing ?

[MickH]

Group - I have a brand new ASUS Z270M-PLUS with a brand new i7-7700 that won't do anything; no POST, nothing on a monitor screen, no beeps at turn on from a known working speaker connected to MONO_OUT. At MB power on (before use of the ON pushbutton) a small green LED near the COM header comes on, as do the 2 amber accent LEDs in the PCIE slots; these stay on after the ON pushbutton is used; after the ON pushbutton the amber LEDs start to blink off very briefly every 4 seconds or so. Nothing ever appears on the monitor from the VGA connector.

The voltages on the pins of EATXPWR and EATX12V look correct; this PSU operates an older Intel DG35EC MB just fine. The CPU gets warm to touch but not hot; it's drawing some power. Examination of the LGA1151 socket with a laboratory microscope shows that the pins look fine. I've been struggling with this thing for 2 weeks with absolutely no progress. What am I doing wrong? forgetting? overlooking? Is there some header pin jumper I don't know about; some preliminary connection I'm not doing? Instructions? Suggestions? Advice? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

MickH

 

[Darkbreeze]

You will never get a beep connected to mono out, and that might even be part of your problem. Any system speaker, and it SHOULD be system speaker, not just some random speaker although that could be worked around as well, should be connected to the speaker pins on the front panel pin cluster section as seen below. It really should be specifically a system speaker to work correctly. I would unplug your speaker from the connector it's on now as it's doing nothing good and might be causing or contributing to your problem. In any case, no beep codes will ever be heard with nothing connected to the actual system speaker connection as seen below.

It's also very likely your power supply is part of the problem. That old Intel board only has a single 4 pin EPS auxiliary CPU power connector and your Z270M-PLUS requires TWO 4+4 pin EPS (EATX12v) connectors located along the top edge of the motherboard in addition to the 24 pin ATX power connector. What is the actual model of the PSU you are trying to use?

What other hardware is in use? Is there a graphics card installed or are you trying to use the integrated graphics? What is the model of your memory kit?

Also, not sure how "brand new" these could be since those parts are about 7 years old.

 

[MickH]

Darkbreeze - thanks much for the reply and the info. Hope the answers below answer your observations and questions:

1. Speaker - I don't have a "system" speaker, just an old but working very small 16 ohm hobby speaker (I think). I was hoping the actual DC resistance would be low enough to carry the current of the front panel cluster Speaker. I don't have to have this output but it would supply a confidence factor.

2. PSU - is a Delta Electronics GPS-350AB; marginal but I thought it might at least wake the board up. I have a 4-8 adapter cable from the 4-pin PSU output to the EATX12V connector on the Z270M. I only see one such connector on my Z270M.

3. Graphics - I am using the integrated graphics.

4. Memory - is a Crucial DDR4 16GB; it has the usual DDR4 slight bump on the connection edge while (unbelievably) the mem slots on my Z270M have flat bottoms. I was hoping that the card would seat far enough for all the connecttion pads to make contact. Maybe they aren't and most of my problem is there.

I think all DDR4 boards have the bump; don't think I can buy flat edge mem boards.

I believe that "Brand New" means the parts have never been used. Again, thanks much for the help.

MickH

 

[Darkbreeze]

Darkbreeze - thanks much for the reply and the info. Hope the answers below answer your observations and questions:

1. Speaker - I don't have a "system" speaker, just an old but working very small 16 ohm hobby speaker (I think). I was hoping the actual DC resistance would be low enough to carry the current of the front panel cluster Speaker. I don't have to have this output but it would supply a confidence factor.

2. PSU - is a Delta Electronics GPS-350AB; marginal but I thought it might at least wake the board up. I have a 4-8 adapter cable from the 4-pin PSU output to the EATX12V connector on the Z270M. I only see one such connector on my Z270M.

3. Graphics - I am using the integrated graphics.

4. Memory - is a Crucial DDR4 16GB; it has the usual DDR4 slight bump on the connection edge while (unbelievably) the mem slots on my Z270M have flat bottoms. I was hoping that the card would seat far enough for all the connecttion pads to make contact. Maybe they aren't and most of my problem is there.

I think all DDR4 boards have the bump; don't think I can buy flat edge mem boards.

I believe that "Brand New" means the parts have never been used. Again, thanks much for the help.

MickH

1. I would get one. They use a special connector to plug into the panel pins and considering they are extremely inexpensive it is a very good idea to have one since the information they provide often drastically helps with troubleshooting. Plugging any speaker into anything other than the "speaker" pins on the front panel pin cluster will never result in providing error code beeps.

https://www.amazon.com/Motherboard-Computer-Mainboard-Connector-Continuous/dp/B0CLN53J4N

2. No. There is only one socket but it is for TWO 4 pin EPS connectors. Most ATX power supplies will have what LOOKS like a single 8 pin connector, but the connector will "snap" in half so that only a single four pin EPS connector can be used for boards that only require one OR there will be two of them so that you can use one full 4+4 pin plus half of another one for boards that require three 4 pin EPS connections. Your board has two and they MUST both be used. This is the most likely reason for your problem. Your board absolutely requires two 4 pin EPS/CPU power connectors as seen outlined below.

I think there is every probability that a proper, decent quality power supply will resolve your problems. That is for certain where you should start. As for your memory, so long as you insert the end that does not have a release lock on it first, then press down gently until the other end clicks into locked position, it should be correctly installed so long as you've lined up the key in the middle of the slot with the indentation on the bottom of the memory module. I have no idea what you mean by flat or slight bump but all desktop DDR4 is exactly the same in regard to it's physical characteristics and form factor.

 

[35below0]

I don't know how many devices you have in that PC. But the Seasonic G12 GM psu might suffice. The 550W model. It's limited to 1 PCIe and 3 SATA/MOLEX connectors but if that's enough, it's a reliable enough Gold 80 unit. Often one of the cheapest.

5y warranty isn't great, so if your budget allows, try a more expensive and better unit. My suggestion is a minimum.

 

[MickH]

1. I would get one. They use a special connector to plug into the panel pins and considering they are extremely inexpensive it is a very good idea to have one since the information they provide often drastically helps with troubleshooting. Plugging any speaker into anything other than the "speaker" pins on the front panel pin cluster will never result in providing error code beeps.

https://www.amazon.com/Motherboard-Computer-Mainboard-Connector-Continuous/dp/B0CLN53J4N

2. No. There is only one socket but it is for TWO 4 pin EPS connectors. Most ATX power supplies will have what LOOKS like a single 8 pin connector, but the connector will "snap" in half so that only a single four pin EPS connector can be used for boards that only require one OR there will be two of them so that you can use one full 4+4 pin plus half of another one for boards that require three 4 pin EPS connections. Your board has two and they MUST both be used. This is the most likely reason for your problem. Your board absolutely requires two 4 pin EPS/CPU power connectors as seen outlined below.

I think there is every probability that a proper, decent quality power supply will resolve your problems. That is for certain where you should start. As for your memory, so long as you insert the end that does not have a release lock on it first, then press down gently until the other end clicks into locked position, it should be correctly installed so long as you've lined up the key in the middle of the slot with the indentation on the bottom of the memory module. I have no idea what you mean by flat or slight bump but all desktop DDR4 is exactly the same in regard to it's physical characteristics and form factor.

 

[MickH]

Darkbreeze - thanks for the further info/suggestions; I will act on them in the next few days. FYI there is verfied 12 volts on all four pins that are not ground on my EATX12V connector using my 4-into-8 PSU adaptor cable. We'll see what developes.

MickH
15 Mar 24
11:13 AM

 

[MickH]

I don't know how many devices you have in that PC. But the Seasonic G12 GM psu might suffice. The 550W model. It's limited to 1 PCIe and 3 SATA/MOLEX connectors but if that's enough, it's a reliable enough Gold 80 unit. Often one of the cheapest.

5y warranty isn't great, so if your budget allows, try a more expensive and better unit. My suggestion is a minimum.

35below0 - understood. I"m coming to the same conclusion.
MickH
15 Mar 24
11:15 AM

 

[Darkbreeze]

If you have no plans to run a gaming card or anything that requires more than PCIe slot power, then something like this would be perfectly fine for that configuration. Don't use adapters. Using adapters, regardless of what type they are, is simply asking for trouble. Magic smoke, and things like that.

PCPartPicker Part List

Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 600 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($60.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $60.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-03-15 15:22 EDT-0400

 

[MickH]

If you have no plans to run a gaming card or anything that requires more than PCIe slot power, then something like this would be perfectly fine for that configuration. Don't use adapters. Using adapters, regardless of what type they are, is simply asking for trouble. Magic smoke, and things like that.

PCPartPicker Part List

Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 600 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($60.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $60.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-03-15 15:22 EDT-0400

 

[MickH]

Darkbreeze - thanks for the suggestion; I'm trying to decide between a Thermaltake Toughpower and similar Corsair models.

MickH

 

[Darkbreeze]

You don't want the 2023 or later CX models from Corsair. They are terrible. A reversion to the days of the green label CX units, with a very poor platform. Actually, it is from what I hear the same platform that was used on the CS and that itself was only like a minor improvement from the platform used for the VS, which was pretty terrible. If you buy a Corsair power supply you must be sure you ONLY buy the following series models. AX, HX, RMx, RMi, RM, TX. If you can find a CX-M model for a good price, because there are still some out there, it's probably a good buy if the price isn't more than maybe 75 bucks considering the price of any even half decent PSU right now with the price of precious metals coming out of China and the tariffs on PSUs coming from China, which is basically all ATX power supplies regardless of brand.

 

[35below0]

Consult the PSU tier list: https://cultists.network/140/psu-tier-list/

Even for a low power unit. Maybe esp. for a low power unit as those tend to be cheaper and ... well, cheaper. 🙁
Avoid buying a DUD. Or bomb.

 

[Darkbreeze]

So, just for the record, it clearly is not "THE" PSU tier list. It is just "a" PSU tier list. I link to it as well because right "now" it's probably the least faulty one out there, but it is STILL "faulty". But if you go with something off tier A, you will undoubtedly not be steered wrong. Other tiers, there is not full consensus on some examples, but still a good list and much as I have argued with some of those guys in the past, it's pretty good work overall. It's unfortunate they all though they were beyond reproach.