Issues with starting up the computer, yet it functions properly after booting?
Issues with starting up the computer, yet it functions properly after booting?
Hello. I've been troubleshooting my PC for almost a month but I'm at my wits end trying to fix it. I have an issue where my PC powers on but will not POST most of the time. After a number of attempts it will, and once it boots, it works fine. Most of the time when powering on my VGA LED is white, indicating a GPU problem, but even with a different GPU or iGPU, the problem persists. Here' s my specs and what I've done so far:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9800X3D
- Run stress-tests with OCCT, no issues. Reseated, repasted, I did put a bit too much thermal paste one of the last times I did it but it didn't appear to reach the die, and I heard it's non-conductive. (Noctua D15S paste)
Motherboard: WAS: ASRock B850 Pro RS Wifi, NOW: ASUS TUF Gaming B850 PLUS WiFI
- Seemed the most likely culprit after much testing, so I bought the ASUS, but it didn't change anything.
- Have reset the CMOS multiple times, updated BIOS to the latest.
RAM: 2x16GB G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo DDR5 6000Mhz
- Tested both sticks with Memtest86+ for 8 hours, no errors. Tried one stick at a time, and in different slots. No change. If I do try to load the XMP profile, I get a bad RAM POST LED, so I just run it at stock speeds.
GPU: MSI 4080 Gaming X Trio
- Ran multiple stress-tests with OCCT, no errors. No issues while gaming. Changing GPUs or iGPU has no difference. Very surprising since the POST LED is the VGA light. Tried different ports on the GPU, no luck.
Monitor: MSI Optix MAG271XQR
- Changed DP cable, no change Changed monitors to see if that was it, no change. Heard about a problem with computers not POSTing if the display is in standby and not fully on. Tried that, no change. Tried my TV with an HDMI cable, no change.
SSD: Samsung 980 PRO 1TB
- Haven't run any tests but nothing points to this being the issue.
PSU: WAS Seasonic Vertex GX-1000, NOW Seasonic Focus GX-1000
- Tested the Vertex with a Thermaltake Dr. Power 3. Voltages seemed fine. OCCT power test with CPU, GPU, RAM running at max, no issues. Bought the Focus just to see if it was somehow the PSU, no change.
Case: WAS Fractal Torrent, NOW LianLi Lancool 207
- On the off-side the power button on the Fractal was the cause, or a short somewhere, I got the Lancool. No change.
OS
: Linux, CachyOS. Also happened with Windows though, and Nobara Linux. Shouldn't matter anyways since it doesn't even get to the OS when it fails to load.
As you can see I've tried a lot, and can't figure this problem out. It's driving me nuts. I could just leave my computer on 24/7 but I don't want to, and want to figure out what's wrong.
Thank you.
How is the processor being cooled? Have I reset the CMOS several times, updated the BIOS to the newest version? For clarity, could you specify the BIOS version you're using on this motherboard? Are you running BIOS version 1402? It seems the ASRock board may have caused some damage to the CPU, considering its history of affecting processors. If I attempt to apply an XMP profile, I encounter a RAM POST error, so I’m sticking to stock speeds instead. I’d consider getting a different RAM package with AMD’s E.X.P.O branding and check if the issue continues. Generally, when powering on, the VGA LED lights up white, which suggests a GPU issue, but this persists even with another GPU or iGPU. It would be wise to examine the motherboard pins, the processor underside, the GPU slot, and all connected devices.
I use a Noctua D15S for cooling. Temperatures remain in the 60s-70s during load.
BIOS version 1402 works fine. I thought the ASRock might have caused issues, but everything seems normal after booting, so I didn't suspect the CPU. Next week I'll inspect the CPU.
Getting RAM might be challenging, but I'm willing to try.
GPU pins and the slot appear to be in good condition, as far as I understand. I'll check the CPU next Sunday.
Inspected the CPU today. No signs of damage or issues on it or the motherboard.