System freezes upon startup with a DRAM indicator, B450 Aorus Elite V2 equipped with Ryzen 5 3600
System freezes upon startup with a DRAM indicator, B450 Aorus Elite V2 equipped with Ryzen 5 3600
I acquired all fresh parts except the GPU. My system setup includes: Ryzen 5 3600 B450, Aorus Elite V2 2x8GB, Kingston Beast 3600Mhz, FSP Hydro Pro 600W, MSI RX 470 Gaming, 4GB RAM, and a GPU from another user. The issue began during Windows installation, with the first crash showing up as the DRAM indicator lit on the motherboard while the screen remained dark. Restarting the PC via the PSU power switch helped temporarily. After several attempts—trying different RAM positions, disabling XMP, updating BIOS—I still experienced crashes accompanied by the same DRAM light. I avoided turning on XMP and even reset the BIOS settings without success. Once I switched to a friend’s system (Ryzen 5 1600, Aorus Elite V2 2x4GB, 2400Mhz, Cooler Master 500W), the crashes ceased entirely. Using his CPU with my components resolved the problem, allowing a smooth Windows reinstallation. After reinstalling, I reinstalled my original CPU, which then caused another crash. Further complications arose when I used his motherboard (Asus Prime A320, 2x4GB, 2400Mhz, 500W) and later his own CPU (Prime A320 2x4GB, 2400Mhz, 2400V). At one point, the system locked at a voltage of -0.1V in BIOS, but resumed normal operation afterward, though it would crash intermittently again. I’m unsure what’s causing this and wonder if replacing the GPU or BIOS might help. I’ve tried updating to BIOS version F65a (previously F64) and even lowered the voltage to -0.15V dynamically, but the crashes persisted. I’m seeking advice on possible fixes and whether a replacement part is advisable given my warranty.
It might simply involve confirming proper installation of all parts and ensuring the cooler is securely fastened. Also inspect for any damage to the CPU socket. I’d carefully verify each connection and detach as many components as needed to test functionality. If that fails, consider using an older BIOS version as a final resort.
In any case, it seems like your system might be struggling with memory or RAM issues. Consider running a memory test. Also, try connecting a Linux live USB to observe any crashes. If you see standard BSODs, check for corresponding .dmp files and examine them. If stability is an issue, transfer the drive to another computer and inspect it there. I recommend using BlueScreenView for this.