Question Newly built PC only boots up if Cmos was cleared beforehand

[UnboxedMichi]

My newly built PC has one major Problem: It only succesfully boots up and enters the BIOS menu if I cleared Cmos beforehand. Otherwise it gets stuck during the booting process.

My main Components:
Motherboard: ASRock Riptide Wifi Intel Z890
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 245k
GPU: RTX 3060 ti
RAM: 2x 16GB DDR5 (Kingston Fury Beast EXPO DDR5-5600 DIMM CL36)
PSU: Corsair RM850x (850W)
boot device: 2TB SSD in M2.1 Slot (2TB WD Black SN850X)

Every component except the GPU has been purchased new.

Detailed description of the issue:

I've assembled the components together and into a case. I have not installed any operating system yet. There are two different scenarios which happen depending on whether I clear Cmos before powering on the PC or not. I've reset Cmos by connecting both CLRMOS1 pins with a screwdriver for 10 seconds. I did not take out the Cmos battery at any point, since I did not know how to do so.

1. Powering on the PC without clearing Cmos beforehand: After plugging in the PSU and turning it on, the RGB-Lights on the motherboard and GPU start lighting up. After pressing down the power button on my case, the cpu cooler and case fans start spinning. My ASUS Motherboard has 4 debug LEDS. The red LED which indicates a CPU Problem goes out quite fast. After some time the orange LED, which would indicate a DRAM issue goes out too. Now the white LED, which indicates a VGA issue turns on and stays on permanently. The green LED, which would indicate a 'boot' issue stays on permanently too. My monitor, which I connected via an HDMI cable to my Motherboard tells me it receives "no signal".

2. Powering on the PC after clearing Cmos: After plugging in the PSU and turning it on, the RGB-Lights on the motherboard and GPU start lighting up. After pressing down the power button on my case, the cpu cooler and case fans start spinning. All 4 of the debug LEDS go out after some time and I am able to enter the BIOS menu, which is displayed on my monitor, which I connected via an HDMI cable from my motherboard. In the BIOS menu all components (CPU, RAM, CPU cooler fan, the case fans) appear successfully and seem to work without any issue.
If I now power off my PC and power it on again, I am not able to enter into the BIOS menu and am again stuck on the white and green debug LEDS, which stay on permanently. My monitor receives "no signal".
If I clear Cmos again and power on the PC it works fine just like I described earlier and I am again able to enter into the BIOS menu.

Things I've tried already:
- I've tried testing the build with and without the dedicated GPU (RTX 3060 ti). The results were the same whether I had an dedicated GPU plugged in or not.
- I've updated the BIOS of my Motherboard to a newer Version (2.16). The issue persisted
- I've tried taking out the SSD and Ram sticks and putting them back in.
-I've checked for loose cables on the PSU and on the Motherboard.


This is my first time building a PC so I'm not really sure what to do next and whether I should install an operating system anyways or not. My guess would be that the issue doesn't lie with the components, since all of them have been successfully listed in the BIOS. The Motherboard is also quite new, which is why I find it hard to believe that the issue lies within it.

Any help or advice is appreciated

 

[Ralston18]

This motherboard?

https://download.asrock.com/Manual/Z890 Riptide WiFi.pdf

Be sure to verify that I found the applicable User Manual.

Re-read/review the full User Manual along with the documentation for all installed components.

Carefully check all plugs and connections to ensure that they are correctly, fully, and firmly in place. Especially case connections.

Pay attention to all fine prints, warnings, notes, etc..

For example: See the "DO NOT" remove note on physically numbered Page 14. It would also be natural for people to remove the shield if they had not read the User Manual and believed the shield was just "packing/shipping" material....

Go page by page, check things off, make notes.

Take your time. If something is amiss then correct if possible. Otherwise, stop and focus on resolving the problem before proceding.

Hopefully just some error of omission or commission.

 

[UnboxedMichi]

This motherboard?

https://download.asrock.com/Manual/Z890 Riptide WiFi.pdf

Be sure to verify that I found the applicable User Manual.

Re-read/review the full User Manual along with the documentation for all installed components.

Carefully check all plugs and connections to ensure that they are correctly, fully, and firmly in place. Especially case connections.

Pay attention to all fine prints, warnings, notes, etc..

For example: See the "DO NOT" remove note on physically numbered Page 14. It would also be natural for people to remove the shield if they had not read the User Manual and believed the shield was just "packing/shipping" material....

Go page by page, check things off, make notes.

Take your time. If something is amiss then correct if possible. Otherwise, stop and focus on resolving the problem before proceding.

Hopefully just some error of omission or commission.

Yes, that would be the correct User Manual for my motherboard.
I've taken my time and went through each cable and component step by step along with the manual and they're all plugged in tightly. All PSU-Cables are locked into the PSU and into the Motherboard and GPU. I've also checked all of the cables, which came together with my case.
I also did not take off the Memory OC shield (page 14 on the User Manual).
The only aspect that could be amiss is that I've only been able to install 9 standoffs instead of 10. My motherboard shows 10 holes, in which standoffs would fit, but my case only had 9 standoffs installed. Since I did not know how to add another one, I installed my motherboard into the case with only 9 standoffs. Is this really something that could cause this issue?

The thing is that everything works fine, the PC will boot and I am able to enter into the BIOS if I cleared Cmos beforehand, which is also why I created this thread. This seemed really weird to me, since everything seemed to work fine (if I cleared Cmos before powering on). Is there something else I could be missing that causes this weird behaviour?

 

[Ralston18]

2.5 , Page 21 shows only 9 stand-offs. You mention 10 holes - where is the 10th hole and which 9 holes were used?

= = = =

Clearing CMOS - Reference 2.11, Page 29. Follow that procedure - no screwdriver.
Just as a matter of elimination, install a new, fresh CMOS battery.

Also confirm that the case connections are correct per 2.12, Page 30. (System Panel Headers/Front Panel Case). Check the markings.

If possible connect a small speaker via Page 30. There may be some beep codes....

 

[Anomaly_76]

My newly built PC has one major Problem: It only succesfully boots up and enters the BIOS menu if I cleared Cmos beforehand. Otherwise it gets stuck during the booting process.

My main Components:
Motherboard: ASRock Riptide Wifi Intel Z890
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 245k
GPU: RTX 3060 ti
RAM: 2x 16GB DDR5 (Kingston Fury Beast EXPO DDR5-5600 DIMM CL36)
PSU: Corsair RM850x (850W)
boot device: 2TB SSD in M2.1 Slot (2TB WD Black SN850X)

Every component except the GPU has been purchased new.

Detailed description of the issue:

I've assembled the components together and into a case. I have not installed any operating system yet. There are two different scenarios which happen depending on whether I clear Cmos before powering on the PC or not. I've reset Cmos by connecting both CLRMOS1 pins with a screwdriver for 10 seconds. I did not take out the Cmos battery at any point, since I did not know how to do so.

1. Powering on the PC without clearing Cmos beforehand: After plugging in the PSU and turning it on, the RGB-Lights on the motherboard and GPU start lighting up. After pressing down the power button on my case, the cpu cooler and case fans start spinning. My ASUS Motherboard has 4 debug LEDS. The red LED which indicates a CPU Problem goes out quite fast. After some time the orange LED, which would indicate a DRAM issue goes out too. Now the white LED, which indicates a VGA issue turns on and stays on permanently. The green LED, which would indicate a 'boot' issue stays on permanently too. My monitor, which I connected via an HDMI cable to my Motherboard tells me it receives "no signal".

2. Powering on the PC after clearing Cmos: After plugging in the PSU and turning it on, the RGB-Lights on the motherboard and GPU start lighting up. After pressing down the power button on my case, the cpu cooler and case fans start spinning. All 4 of the debug LEDS go out after some time and I am able to enter the BIOS menu, which is displayed on my monitor, which I connected via an HDMI cable from my motherboard. In the BIOS menu all components (CPU, RAM, CPU cooler fan, the case fans) appear successfully and seem to work without any issue.
If I now power off my PC and power it on again, I am not able to enter into the BIOS menu and am again stuck on the white and green debug LEDS, which stay on permanently. My monitor receives "no signal".
If I clear Cmos again and power on the PC it works fine just like I described earlier and I am again able to enter into the BIOS menu.

Things I've tried already:
- I've tried testing the build with and without the dedicated GPU (RTX 3060 ti). The results were the same whether I had an dedicated GPU plugged in or not.
- I've updated the BIOS of my Motherboard to a newer Version (2.16). The issue persisted
- I've tried taking out the SSD and Ram sticks and putting them back in.
-I've checked for loose cables on the PSU and on the Motherboard.


This is my first time building a PC so I'm not really sure what to do next and whether I should install an operating system anyways or not. My guess would be that the issue doesn't lie with the components, since all of them have been successfully listed in the BIOS. The Motherboard is also quite new, which is why I find it hard to believe that the issue lies within it.

Any help or advice is appreciated

My first guess would be an issue with memory training or poorly seated DIMMs. My 5900X build would randomly show no video, even though it would POST and boot into Windows. Also would not wake from sleep. Turns out the Ballistix RAM I used was not on the manufacturer's compatibility (Qualified Vendor) list, and it did not like it. Got another kit from the QVL recommendations and all was well. I've found that AM4 Ryzen in particular are funny about this (seen the same thing across three systems I've owned / built), but Intel could do this just as easily.

I had non-QVL DIMMs on a 1700 / B450 combo not only cause a VGA light, but after several boot attempts, the board shut down and I had to get it RMA'd. It ran with those same DIMMs post-RMA, but it never was quite right until I got RAM that was from the QVL.

Also had an unlatched DIMM slot do this on a recent build.

 

[UnboxedMichi]

2.5 , Page 21 shows only 9 stand-offs. You mention 10 holes - where is the 10th hole and which 9 holes were used?

= = = =

Clearing CMOS - Reference 2.11, Page 29. Follow that procedure - no screwdriver.
Just as a matter of elimination, install a new, fresh CMOS battery.

Also confirm that the case connections are correct per 2.12, Page 30. (System Panel Headers/Front Panel Case). Check the markings.

If possible connect a small speaker via Page 30. There may be some beep codes....

There was an additional hole on the motherboard between the centre left hole and the bottom left hole on page 21. This hole, weirdly enough, was not listed in the Manual.

= = =
I previously could not find the mentioned "jumper" on 2.11 page 29, so I looked if there were ways to clear Cmos without these jumpers, and apparently it doesn't matter how you connect those two CLRMOS1 pins, as long as it is done with a conductive material.
After carefully looking through the package that came with the motherboard, I could find this "jumper" now, so I guess i'll use it for any further times I reset Cmos.

I've checked again and the PLED-, PLED+ and the Powerbutton cables that were connected to my case are each in place on their appropriate pins.

I guess i will try to install a fresh Cmos battery next and connect a small speaker as I haven't done these yet.

 

[UnboxedMichi]

My first guess would be an issue with memory training or poorly seated DIMMs. My 5900X build would randomly show no video, even though it would POST and boot into Windows. Also would not wake from sleep. Turns out the Ballistix RAM I used was not on the manufacturer's compatibility (Qualified Vendor) list, and it did not like it. Got another kit from the QVL recommendations and all was well. I've found that AM4 Ryzen in particular are funny about this (seen the same thing across three systems I've owned / built), but Intel could do this just as easily.

I had non-QVL DIMMs on a 1700 / B450 combo not only cause a VGA light, but after several boot attempts, the board shut down and I had to get it RMA'd. It ran with those same DIMMs post-RMA, but it never was quite right until I got RAM that was from the QVL.

Also had an unlatched DIMM slot do this on a recent build.

The Ram sticks I used are on the QVL list for my motherboard according to this website (https://pangoly.com/en/compatibility/asrock-z890-riptide-wifi/ram). I've also been careful to put them in their appropriate slots (A2 and B2) and both of them were detected every time I reached the BIOS menu, so I guess it's not the DIMMs which are acting up?

 

[Paperdoc]

Here's what I think is happening. You have a graphics card installed in your PCIe slots. I believe the factory default configuration in BIOS Setup is to use for video output the video capability of the mobo and NOT the added video card. BUT once that system has started up, it detects the presence of the added card and sets your system to use that for the NEXT start-up. It does NOT change to using that card immediately. So then what happens?

1. Powering on the PC without clearing Cmos. NOW the system is set to output from the added video card. BUT you have not moved the cable to your monitor, so it is still connected to the mobo's video system which is NOT being used. Hence no display.

2. Powering on the PC after clearing Cmos. Now you HAVE restored the BIOS Setup parameters to factory default and it IS set to use the mobo video system. So you DO get a display on the monitor connected to that output port.

Solution? Once you get it to work using video output from the mobo port, shut down and MOVE that cable to the monitor to the output port of the VIDEO CARD. Do NOT clear CMOS. Boot up and it should work.

 

[Anomaly_76]

The Ram sticks I used are on the QVL list for my motherboard according to this website (https://pangoly.com/en/compatibility/asrock-z890-riptide-wifi/ram). I've also been careful to put them in their appropriate slots (A2 and B2) and both of them were detected every time I reached the BIOS menu, so I guess it's not the DIMMs which are acting up?

Another thought is to check the BIOS settings for Integrated Graphics (iGPU). Some setups can get confused when this is set to auto and boot with the iGPU which will send video to the onboard video ports instead. Have you tried connecting the onboard video ports to see if it's doing this?