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My first build; Z97a. Red LED bootup lights at CPU, GPU, RAM and bootup LED :(

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  • Light
  • LED Monitor
  • Build
  • Motherboards
Last response: in Motherboards
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9 September 2014 11:27:07

Hello all.

I have been building a gaming PC for the last 4 days or so and I am now at a loss as to what to do. As mentioned in the thread title, I have red lights on bootup and if i try to change my DDR3 to its 'native' 1866mhz in the BIOS my system will not boot (boots continuously).

I have managed to install the OS (Win 8.1) have tried some features of the mobo to diagnose but no luck

I was super caareful when building and handling parts wearing latex gloves through out the entire build being completely paranoid about zapping anything with static charges! I have not dropped anything either.

I have updated the BIOS today to the latest version but no joy :( 

Is there some software or something - settings in BIOS so I can start diagnosing properly. I tried calling some of the part retailers but they are not willing to advise.

I will post my build below. Thank you so much to anyone who can help!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (£165.54 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£24.86 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (£105.59 @ Aria PC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (£74.00)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (£83.99 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£49.98 @ Aria PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Vapor-X Video Card (£309.59 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Case: Cooler Master 690 III ATX Mid Tower Case (£74.03 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (£94.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer (£11.79 @ Amazon UK)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£79.09 @ Amazon UK)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor (£239.99 @ Amazon UK)
Keyboard: Corsair Vengeance K70 Wired Gaming Keyboard (£104.00)
Mouse: ROCCAT Kone Pure Military Wired Optical Mouse (£56.99 @ Amazon UK)
Headphones: Razer Kraken Pro Headset (£73.69 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Total: £1548.12
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-09 11:26 BST+0100

More about : build z97a red led bootup lights cpu gpu ram bootup led

a c 491 V Motherboard
9 September 2014 11:36:31

the led are a helper to builder to show fault. the red cpu light does come on at post for a few sec. if it stays on there an issue with cpu power plugs or the cpu itself. the ram led will blink too at post if there staying on the cpu cooler can be on to tight or there a bad dimm or the ram setting wrong. to get faster speed on the newer mb ram you have to turn on xmp profile and then select profile one. in the main bios make sure you set the bios to standard and not performace. this changes the cpu to ram timing and will cause issues. with the ram make sure there in the a0 and b0 slots and locked in. a lot of people put them in the wrong main slots.
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9 September 2014 11:52:27

Thank youm for the quick reply smorizio.

Yes the lights are on whenever I boot into windows. I only get one beep from speaker when I turn on PC.

I pretty much cranked down the cpu cooler as it was sliding slightly if nudged gently on the cooling toer :/ 

I am going to try switching to XMP on the physical switch on the board and then enabling in BIOS.

My DDR3 is not listed in the Z97a manual as being compatible, wonder if this could be the issu? Its not listed at all so perhaps it is?

If the xmp thing doesnt work I will have to take it all apart I guess :( 
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Related resources
a c 491 V Motherboard
9 September 2014 11:59:49

with the ram guilds of mb most vendors cant test all ram and mb combos out there. most ram now there only 4 vendors that make ram and ram resellers just relabel it. with your error try one ram stick in slot a0. if the system posts fine and there no error getting into windows check that the mb took bios 1304 the last bios file for your mb. if it did try swapping the ram to see if one stick is bad. if both sticks and the mb show red led...take the cpu out and check for bent pins under the cpu or a cpu seating issue.
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a c 491 V Motherboard
9 September 2014 12:00:46

before you take the cpu out forgot one step take both dimms one at a time place them one at a time in the mb and walk the ram. see if any of the slots work.
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9 September 2014 12:36:21

Hi!

I have removed GPU and also tried replacing ram into the diff slots. I still get a red light at CPU, GPU slot and RAM.

Have loosened the CPU cooling tower off but no joy.

I suspect that I may have to remove CPU and check for bent pins?

Hope not as dont relish the idea of having to get dressed - go out and buy some cleaning alcohol (is thisa the best thing) to remove the thermal compound :( 

I will try the ram 'walk' now. Many thanks smorizio for you help!
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9 September 2014 12:44:39

Update.

Swapping the ram around made no difference. Still only one beep on bootup.

Removed the CPU fan for bootup and I got 5 beeps. Replaced it and tried again.

Im going now to try to check the cpu :( 
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9 September 2014 15:24:22

I wanted the ground to swallow me up when I looked at the CPU 'module' (?) on the motherboard - I had clearly tightened the cooler tower down FAR too tightly! The pins were all literally almost flat! I had no idea this could happen. Oh well I need to put it down to experience and move -on

I have just ordered another motherboard :( 

I am also now really worried that I may have damaged the CPU as well - is it likely?

Jeezus I feel stupid!! I'm starting to think I should have just bought a playstation 4 and had done with it.

Can anyone walk me through closing the CPU clamp and how tight should the tower be?

Many thanks
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9 September 2014 17:16:58

Hi Tradesman. I did all that before taking the CPU off, I have just ordered another motherboard next day delivery ....do you know if its likely that the CPU is damaged?
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a c 1800 V Motherboard
9 September 2014 17:20:41

I would guess No, they can be or go bad, but seldom, if it was an AMD then prob more likely - might look at the pins in the mobo socket and see if any look bent, broken, missing
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9 September 2014 17:48:12

It gets worse!! After looking at some pics I had no idea that the 'pins' were supposed to look bent!! or infact are bent..

http://imgur.com/a/nGA3l

Oh my god! Its too late now because I have messed around with the pins and bent them while investigating, I really feel like I need to cry. Absolute arse!

Gathering myself...moving-on. So when the new motherboard arrives tomorrow I am now thinking well if the pins were not bent, and it wasnt the RAM then what was wrong? I have no idea. Cookoo Cookoo!
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a c 1800 V Motherboard
9 September 2014 20:38:51

Hard to tell but in the images it pretty much looks OK
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9 September 2014 21:11:09

Yea. I thought so too ...

But that was before I purposefullly started bending the pins with the ends of my fingers (since i thought they were all flattened!) just to learn a bit more about the construction before using the new board tomorrow. Oh well you live and learn :( 

But it makes me wonder what WAS wrong with the build if the cpu was ok...? Doesnt bode well for rebuilding, even with a new board, tomorrow :( 
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a c 1800 V Motherboard
9 September 2014 23:32:10

Might have been something else on the mobo, will have to wait and see, let us know
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10 September 2014 10:56:02

Hi Tradesmen

Board just arrived. Here we go again :) 

this time I am standing on a vinyl mat on the carpeted floor :/ 
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10 September 2014 16:23:48

HI Just 'beched it, thank you for the article that you wrote by the way! very helpful.


I did everthing on the list to the letter. Started with mobo and heatsink + fan. No red light power and fan span fine

Then I added the GPU powered up and everything was fine no red lights but beeping as no ram installed - one long beep and 2 short beeps . Display came up onto monitor saying new cpu installed.

Added a stick of ram and red lights at ram cpu and GPU. I then removed vid card, ram and removed cmos battery for 20 seconds. reattached vid card and restarted. All fine normal beeps warning that no ram installed. Powered down unplugged power from PSU. Added ram and red lights appeared again at ram, cpu and GPU :( 

Does this mean I have incompatible ram or perhaps bad ram sticks?

Look forward to your reply!

Many thanks
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a c 1800 V Motherboard
10 September 2014 17:02:04

When you install the DRAM are you using enough force so that the side clips come up and lock themselves in? You should, it might be sticky slots (overly tight), might clean the gold contacts on the sticks and blow out the slots themselves w/ compressed air
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10 September 2014 17:04:59

Hi tradesman yes abosolutely using enough force so it all clicks in nicely, surprising how tight those things are!

Did clean contacts with alcohol and blew out slots, you read my mind. No difference! Returning ram to shop and will have to try some other brand i guess
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a c 1800 V Motherboard
10 September 2014 18:16:59

Keep us updated
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10 September 2014 20:23:17

Ok..so after much research I think I am going to bite the bullit and go with 16GB rather than 8. The main reason being that the bottom of the cpu cooler fan on the 212 evo is currently approx 1mm or less from the top of the crucial ballistix ram that I had in there. Ballistix is very low profile and I am unable to find anything of similar size. My thinking is maybe go with 2 x 8 gb so at least I can slightly future proof the system. Does this sound sensible? I read an article which helped me alot

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-ha...
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a c 1800 V Motherboard
10 September 2014 20:31:34

Yes, also on DRAM selection, keep in mind the fan height of your EVO cooler is adjustable, just unclip the fan from the cooler fins and you can raise or lower it, I have GSkill Tridents and RJ X sticks under EVOs on a couple of my rigs
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10 September 2014 22:01:36

Hi Tradesman

I thought about doing that but was not sure if it would be safe to lift it and leave the lower portion of the radiator 'uncooled', or at least less effective :/ 

I am in the process of ordering the following dual kit,

Corsair 16GB DDR3 1866Mhz Vengeance Pro Kit C9. Looks physically high profile but I will have to change cooler or in future if need quad setup. Or move the cpu fan up a bit as you said!
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11 September 2014 10:25:15

This is probably a dumb question but i need to make sure of it.

when I boot with the ram installed I get red lights allover but they are not solid i..e.they do not stay on for more than a second or so, I have just been assuming that they should be green or no lights if everything is ok. So is this the case?

PS: When troubleshooting in the future can I move the jumper to diff pin position to reset cmos? Is it better to remove the battery as you suggested or does the jumper and battery method do the same thing?

PSS: When I did the bench tests - I pulgged the case power cables into the mobo to turn on/off is this ok?


Thank you in advance!
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