F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Red color appears on the EZ Debug LED.

Red color appears on the EZ Debug LED.

Red color appears on the EZ Debug LED.

A
AthenasLight
Posting Freak
781
10-16-2022, 10:31 PM
#1
Hello, I've acquired an MSI PRO B660-A DDR4 board, a G.Skill 32GB kit with 3200 RAM, and a Scythe Fuma 2 rev.b from Amazon. A used Intel 12500 second hand that was said to be functional arrived today—looks spotless underneath. So far, after powering it on, I've noticed these behaviors: the fans start up and the EZ Debug LED flashes red briefly, then turns orange and back to red, staying solid for a moment before switching again. Sometimes it cycles through red, orange, red, then reboots solid red, and I let it stay that way for five minutes before cutting power. A keyboard and monitor connected via DP cable to the IGPU are working, and I've also tried attaching a GTX960 in other attempts today (using the same keyboard, monitor, and GPU). No logos appear. I've changed PSUs, RAM sticks, heatsink pressure, re-seated the CPU, followed MSI instructions carefully—CPU PCB is keyed for one-way installation, no triangular markings on socket—and cleared the BIOS. Reseated all cables multiple times (EPS, 24pin, CPU fan), and reinserted RAM in various slots. I've read the README, checked the MSI forum post, and inspected the socket for bent pins, but it seems fine. I'm considering visiting a store to swap CPUs just to rule out firmware compatibility issues, since I can't flash the board without a working CPU. Is there anything else I might have missed?
A
AthenasLight
10-16-2022, 10:31 PM #1

Hello, I've acquired an MSI PRO B660-A DDR4 board, a G.Skill 32GB kit with 3200 RAM, and a Scythe Fuma 2 rev.b from Amazon. A used Intel 12500 second hand that was said to be functional arrived today—looks spotless underneath. So far, after powering it on, I've noticed these behaviors: the fans start up and the EZ Debug LED flashes red briefly, then turns orange and back to red, staying solid for a moment before switching again. Sometimes it cycles through red, orange, red, then reboots solid red, and I let it stay that way for five minutes before cutting power. A keyboard and monitor connected via DP cable to the IGPU are working, and I've also tried attaching a GTX960 in other attempts today (using the same keyboard, monitor, and GPU). No logos appear. I've changed PSUs, RAM sticks, heatsink pressure, re-seated the CPU, followed MSI instructions carefully—CPU PCB is keyed for one-way installation, no triangular markings on socket—and cleared the BIOS. Reseated all cables multiple times (EPS, 24pin, CPU fan), and reinserted RAM in various slots. I've read the README, checked the MSI forum post, and inspected the socket for bent pins, but it seems fine. I'm considering visiting a store to swap CPUs just to rule out firmware compatibility issues, since I can't flash the board without a working CPU. Is there anything else I might have missed?

J
JJ213
Member
62
10-28-2022, 06:38 PM
#2
It seems the BIOS isn't current enough for the 12500, or maybe the CPU is faulty. I'd suggest checking the BIOS update first.
J
JJ213
10-28-2022, 06:38 PM #2

It seems the BIOS isn't current enough for the 12500, or maybe the CPU is faulty. I'd suggest checking the BIOS update first.

J
jedi_sandmite_
Member
137
10-28-2022, 09:23 PM
#3
They might be completely dead inside. A red POST light indicates a CPU issue, so I’d begin there and replace the CPU to check if the problem resolves.
J
jedi_sandmite_
10-28-2022, 09:23 PM #3

They might be completely dead inside. A red POST light indicates a CPU issue, so I’d begin there and replace the CPU to check if the problem resolves.

T
turvec26
Junior Member
43
10-29-2022, 02:47 AM
#4
I could send back the CPU within 30 days if it was faulty. Microcenter is asking for $30 to update the firmware, including a scheduled in-person repair at nearby shops. The upgrade will cost $199.
T
turvec26
10-29-2022, 02:47 AM #4

I could send back the CPU within 30 days if it was faulty. Microcenter is asking for $30 to update the firmware, including a scheduled in-person repair at nearby shops. The upgrade will cost $199.

Z
Zachoyo
Junior Member
12
10-29-2022, 08:18 AM
#5
Managed an HR process, waited three minutes at microcenter for the firmware update (during the 4090s launch day). Found 12500 was actually dead; sent it back with a copy of the receipt, and the refund seems to be processing. I had previously bought a reasonably priced 12400 from the secondary market, and it’s now working after 24 hours. Once confirmed operational, I swapped the ILM. Re-seated the heatsink multiple times, noticing uneven contact in the CPU center. After applying fresh paste, I loosened the screws to lift the heatsink, thinking suction or dry paste was holding it. When I twisted and lifted it, it spread cleanly—impressive. Some oddities with default settings on the motherboard, secure boot enabled, and most wake options disabled. Thanks for your help!
Z
Zachoyo
10-29-2022, 08:18 AM #5

Managed an HR process, waited three minutes at microcenter for the firmware update (during the 4090s launch day). Found 12500 was actually dead; sent it back with a copy of the receipt, and the refund seems to be processing. I had previously bought a reasonably priced 12400 from the secondary market, and it’s now working after 24 hours. Once confirmed operational, I swapped the ILM. Re-seated the heatsink multiple times, noticing uneven contact in the CPU center. After applying fresh paste, I loosened the screws to lift the heatsink, thinking suction or dry paste was holding it. When I twisted and lifted it, it spread cleanly—impressive. Some oddities with default settings on the motherboard, secure boot enabled, and most wake options disabled. Thanks for your help!