Diagnosing My MSI Pro B650M-A WiFi Setup – Stuck at DRAM Light, Screen Displays No Signal
Diagnosing My MSI Pro B650M-A WiFi Setup – Stuck at DRAM Light, Screen Displays No Signal
Hey everyone,
I could really use some help with a build I’m working on. I’m running into a frustrating issue and would appreciate any advice or guidance you can offer.
Build Details:
CPU:
Ryzen 5 7600 with stock cooler (new)
GPU:
Asrock Phantom RX 6800 (used, tested and worked fine at the seller’s place)
RAM:
XPG Lancer Blade 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 6400MHz CL32 (new)
Model: AX5U6400C3216G-DTLABBK
Motherboard:
MSI Pro B650M-A WiFi (used, bought on eBay, still under PayPal warranty)
PSU:
EVGA 1000 GQ 80 Plus Gold (used, tested with a meter when purchased)
SSD:
WD_BLACK 2TB SN770 (Amazon "Like New")
Case:
Thermaltake Versa H18 (new, but I haven’t mounted the motherboard yet)
The Problem:
When I power on the system:
The PSU and GPU fans start up, and the GPU’s RGB lights come on.
For the first few seconds, the CPU red light and the DRAM yellow light are both on.
After about 20 seconds, the CPU red light turns off, leaving only the DRAM yellow light (I’m not sure if it stays on solid or flashes—can check again if needed).
The monitor stays black and shows “No Signal” (connected via HDMI to the GPU). I’ve tested the monitor and HDMI cable with my laptop, and they work perfectly.
Steps I’ve Taken:
BIOS Flash:
I tried flashing the latest BIOS using the USB BIOS Flashback feature. The white light stayed on until it blinked, so I assumed it finished, but the issue persisted.
RAM Troubleshooting:
I tested each stick of RAM individually in all four slots, but the problem stayed the same.
Checked PSU:
The PSU fan stays on, and I confirmed it was working with a meter when I bought it.
Inspected CPU Pins:
I checked the CPU for bent pins. This is my first time doing this, so I’m not entirely sure, but nothing looked obviously bent. I can provide pictures if that helps.
Out-of-Case Testing:
I’ve been doing all of this testing with the motherboard out of the case, using only the essential components (CPU, one or two sticks of RAM, GPU, and PSU). I haven’t mounted the motherboard into the case yet.
RAM Compatibility:
I checked MSI’s official QVL (Qualified Vendor List), and this RAM model is listed as compatible.
Additional Info:
Most of the parts in this build are used, except for the CPU, RAM, and case. The GPU, PSU, and SSD were purchased used (or "like new"), and the motherboard was bought from eBay.
I don’t have another system to test the RAM, PSU, CPU, or GPU, so troubleshooting has been tough. I’m considering buying a different brand of 16x2 DDR5 RAM on Amazon just to see if the RAM is the issue.
I’ve tried reaching out to ADATA/XPG support, but I haven’t had any luck. Their U.S. phone number says they’re moving and can’t take calls, and their online support form wouldn’t submit on Firefox or Chrome. If anyone knows a Canadian phone number for ADATA/XPG support, I’d really appreciate it.
Questions:
Could this be a compatibility issue between the RAM and the motherboard, even though the RAM is listed as compatible?
Even though the RAM is listed on the motherboard’s Qualified Vendor List (QVL), it’s still possible to encounter compatibility issues. Sometimes BIOS updates are required to fully support certain RAM modules, especially at higher speeds like 6400MHz (although I believe base clock speed is lower than 6000 Mhz?). Additionally, even compatible RAM can have issues if there are subtle differences in the memory's firmware or if the motherboard's BIOS has bugs. Could this issue be resolved with a different set of RAM, perhaps at a lower frequency?
What other troubleshooting steps should I try?
Given what I've already tried, are there other methods I should consider? Like, could this be an issue with the PSU delivering power inconsistently? Any insights or additional steps would be greatly appreciated.
Does anyone know the Canadian phone number for ADATA/XPG support?
If anyone knows a reliable way to reach their support team from Canada, whether it’s a phone number, an email address, or another method, I’d be very grateful!
I’m pretty stuck here and could really use some help. Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Cheers!
Edit : completed the questions
When setting up a breadboard, also connect the GPU, because all Ryzen 7000-series CPUs include an integrated graphics unit. This helps narrow down the options.
Buying a used power supply is a poor choice.
The wattage requirement is excessive, and the PSU in question is likely of average quality.
Since the PSU has already been used, it's unclear what damage it may have endured. My concern is whether the seller offered it for sale despite its condition?
Did cryptocurrency mining become unprofitable?
A 1kW unit is typically used for the RTX 4080 (which I doubt the seller possessed) or for cryptocurrency mining.
Testing the PSU under load provides more accurate results, but proper testing tools are expensive and few people have access to them.
While breadboarding, avoid using the GPU. Instead, use the CPU's built-in graphics (via a monitor connected to the motherboard). Check if any images appear.
Otherwise, if you still have doubts, the monitor is likely dead. The issue could also be with the CPU, but the motherboard is usually the main suspect.
Since the used motherboard comes without warranty and is probably the most common type, replacing it with a new one plus a fresh PSU is the best approach.
For the motherboard, any AM5 port will suffice, except for the A620 chipset, which is outdated.
For the PSU, consider these brands: Seasonic Focus/Vertex/PRIME, Corsair RMx/RMi/HXi/AXi, Super Flower Leadex Gold/Platinum/Titanium.
A 750W unit is sufficient; a 1kW model isn't necessary.
Remember: because the PSU powers the entire system, it's the most critical component! Avoid compromising on quality and don’t opt for a used PSU.
if you lack someone who can help (friends, family, coworkers, etc) with an alternative solution, visiting a nearby store is always a viable choice.
make sure all "used" items are checked.
even the PSU, based on readings from a multimeter, might still be faulty or damaged.
visit the XPG.com support portal.
you can choose any region you prefer from the bottom of their homepage.
regardless of your country, the support team will direct you to the appropriate guidance.
sadly, the RX 7600 lacks an integrated graphics unit. However, the 7600X includes one, while the 7600 does not.
Thanks a lot for the tips! 😊 It seems the motherboard is probably the issue. Luckily, I purchased it on eBay with PayPal, which gives me a six-month warranty to rely on.
Here’s what I’m planning:
- Attempt to request a refund for the mobo via PayPal
– hoping it helps! Not sure if it will, but worth trying!
- Purchase a new mobo from Amazon and test it.
2.1 If it works, great! 🎉
2.2 If not, return it and switch to a different PSU.
2.2.1 If the replacement PSU functions, perfect! 🍾
2.2.2 If it fails, I might need to visit a repair shop for a check... or consider swapping in another brand of RAM?
What are your thoughts on this approach? I’m keeping things positive, but any extra advice would be really helpful! 😅
Hey everyone,
I wanted to provide an update on my troubleshooting journey with the MSI Pro B650M-A WiFi build. Thanks for all the advice so far—it's been incredibly helpful! Below are some pictures of the key components and what I've done so far to diagnose the issue. Any further insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
https://imgur.com/a/2g96j3r
View: https://imgur.com/a/2g96j3r
https://postimg.cc/gallery/k6Zv7v1
1.
CPU Pins Check:
Here’s a close-up shot of the CPU pins. This is my first time inspecting pins, so I’m not entirely sure if I’m missing something obvious. If anyone with a sharper eye could take a look and let me know if anything seems out of place, that would be amazing!
2.
DRAM Yellow Light:
This picture shows the DRAM yellow light that flashes on and off every 10 seconds. That's after getting a first 10-20 seconds of the DRAM yellow light and CPU light staying on.
3.
Motherboard Setup:
Here’s how I’ve set up the motherboard outside of the case. I’ve kept only the essential components connected (CPU, stock CPU cooler (Wraith), RAM (I tried 1 and 2 sticks, 1 stick was tried in each of 4 slots), PSU) to simplify the testing. If there’s anything about this setup that could be causing issues, please let me know.
4.
Monitor and GPU Setup:
Here’s how the monitor is connected to the GPU via HDMI. I’ve tested the monitor and HDMI cable with my laptop, and they work fine, but the system still shows “No Signal” when connected here.
LGA pins in the CPU socket seem okay to me.
According to the holy book of PCs, page 45, it mentions yellow light:
Because you've checked both RAM DIMMs separately and in all four slots, it's likely the problem is with the used MoBo.
That's how my setup looked back in 2016 (click for image).
Early breadboarding of my Skylake components.
Probably a MoBo issue. New CPUs are unlikely to be dead.
Thanks for reviewing those images—your input is really helpful! 😊
The CPU pins are looking fine (though I was quite nervous about them).
As for the "bible of PCs," page 45 isn’t my top pick these days. 😅 It seems the used motherboard might be the issue.
It feels like the right time to begin looking for a new motherboard and maybe say goodbye to this one.
Appreciate all the advice—this has definitely made a big difference in setting up this build.