New Build (Functioning) | Installed on Debug Code C5 following attempts to resolve Windows BSC Problems
New Build (Functioning) | Installed on Debug Code C5 following attempts to resolve Windows BSC Problems
Hello everyone. This is my first time posting here. I have experience assembling PCs and don’t think I’m new to the game, but I’m trying to understand what’s happening. I just put together a new system and here are the details: Motherboard: MSI MEG X670E; Power Supply: Corsair RM1000X; CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7803X; Graphics: ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 4090; RAM: Team Group Delta DDR5 64GB (4x16GB); SSD: Corsair MP600; No overclock settings; everything set to default for stability.
A few weeks ago I noticed the boot process was extremely slow, especially when trying to install RAM and when debug code 15 appeared on the motherboard. It took about two minutes before it finally started. Later, during startup I realized some of my RGB lights were missing and half of the RAM modules had their colors turned off. In Windows I confirmed all 64GB were detected, but OpenRGB only saw two. After updating the MSI BIOS to version 7D69v184 Beta for the Ryzen 7 7803X, everything seemed stable.
Today I came home and tried booting up. Windows reported an error saying the PC needed repair (code 0xc0000428). I couldn’t enter safe mode or open recovery. I managed to boot into BIOS, then performed a clean Windows install to try fixing things. After turning off the PC for dinner, I rebooted and got codes 0xc0000221 and 0xc0000098 on two attempts. After restarting, the machine froze and wouldn’t post. I received debug codes 5A, 12, and 00. After resetting CMOS, it worked again in BIOS, but I still couldn’t boot from USB to do a fresh install.
I used the BIOS Flasher to revert to the original BIOS version (7D69v17). Now during startup, debug code 15 appears for a while before switching to C5. Replacing RAM didn’t help, and two of the RGB lights still aren’t working but are detected as 64GB by BIOS. The computer hangs on C5 Debug code, won’t post, and I can’t access BIOS settings.
I’ve read about memory issues before, but swapping parts or changing the CPU hasn’t resolved this. My Mobo model doesn’t list in the QVL, which is strange since it’s been reliable for a long time. I’m not overclocking at all. It feels good to share this problem.
Hey there! It seems C5 and 15 are causing RAM issues. I’d test one stick at a time to check if that improves things. Also, when the system freezes, do the debug lights stay lit consistently? You might want to try reseating the CPU since the contacts could be loose.
The approach of checking one stick at a time is trying to find minor memory issues. You can also use memtest86 for that. It might be faster initially, but the one-stick-at-a-time method usually comes into play once something else fails. It could be quicker here too. Memtest will examine all system memory if you have multiple sticks. Typically, it’s a nightly run—it’s slow. Spotting a small memory problem with the on-stick technique may take weeks, especially if it only happens occasionally.
Threw a single stick into B2 and it worked. Added another stick to B1 and it functioned again. This means the RGB-enabled memory is located in B1 and B2. Placed one of the faulty sticks in A2 and it continued booting. Planning to test A1 next. The LEDs remain on during code C5, which are Amber DRAM and Red CPU.
Just then, once I installed the final RAM stick into A1, the system reactivated the C5 error once more.
The method involves handling one stick at a time. You insert one into slot 1, then remove it and insert the next one into slot 1. Continue this process until a stick no longer boots; then replace it in the machine. If all sticks function correctly, the system will operate smoothly.
Perhaps try that last stick in slot A1 and check if it functions. It might reveal the source of the issue. There could be a faulty stick or a problem with B2. It seems Am5 generally struggles—just use two sticks. They say you can get it working with four, but you’d need costly and slow memory solutions. The usual advice is to run two sticks in Am5 even if there are four slots. Updated May 30, 2023 by Bombastinator
It's also not posting at all and still throwing C5 until I put it in the B2 slot. As soon as there's a single stick in the B2 slot I can start throwing others in except A1. Sounds like RMA indeed