The 2-month-old PC is not starting up properly, and the motherboard displays CPU and DRAM error codes.
The 2-month-old PC is not starting up properly, and the motherboard displays CPU and DRAM error codes.
Approximately two months ago, I assembled my second computer. It functioned perfectly and was used regularly without any problems. Yesterday, I operated it normally and put it into sleep mode after use (though I usually shut it down completely). Today, the machine remained on but didn’t respond to any input. When I turned it off, the power button was pressed and I attempted a restart. It came back to life with lights on and fans spinning, yet it wouldn’t POST or display any video from the GPU or integrated graphics. The device hadn’t been moved since yesterday. I’ve completed all the troubleshooting steps listed online, but nothing resolved the issue. Both the CPU and DRAM error LEDs are illuminated red and yellow on the motherboard, pointing to the source of the problem. As soon as the computer powered up, these LEDs lit together without any other indicators flashing first. There was no blinking or cycling; they stayed steady until I turned it off by pressing the power button. All system specifications match: Windows 10 Pro (latest update), MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI CPU (AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, 4.2GHz, 104MB), ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC RAM (Kingston 64GB DDR5 6000MHz CL36), Fury Beast PSU, and be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Svart chassis. The boot drive is Kingston Fury Renegade M.2 NVMe SSD Gen 4 (2TB). Additional storage includes one Samsung SSD and one HDD from the previous machine. BIOS version is 7D75v17 (latest stable). I’ve tried swapping monitors, HDMI/DP cables, removing all external devices, resetting CMOS via reset pins or battery removal, re-seating RAM, CPU, GPU, and storage. After reseating the PSU cables and letting the system run for about 30 minutes, each restart produced the same result: CPU and DRAM error LEDs flashing together until power was cut. I’m not sure if a faulty motherboard is the cause, but I’d appreciate any advice on further tests before ordering a replacement. Cheers!
I haven’t tried the AM5 platform yet, but on AM4 this issue usually stems from a faulty CPU. Another possibility is a defective motherboard. There’s also a small chance the power supply unit is bad. This might seem unexpected, but it can happen. The positive is you’re still likely covered under warranty. To check your CPU, install it in a working computer. For the motherboard, swap it with another one if both components pass tests. As for the PSU, replace it only if both parts are confirmed good. It’s a bit of work, but identifying the faulty part is important considering their costs. By the way, great effort with the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken! Good luck!
I'm sure it's likely the motherboard or RAM is the issue, maybe just some debris in the slot... who knows? But I completely agree with the steps @Sawa Takahashi suggested. It might be a bit of trouble, but that's how troubleshooting usually works. Good luck!
Great advice! Thank you both for your patience. My first thought was RAM, but after re-seating it many times without any response, I suspect something more serious might be wrong. I’ve tested each stick separately in all slots and tried using them together through both channels. It’s unlikely all RAM slots are faulty or that both sticks would fail at once, though it’s possible. It would definitely be better than replacing the CPU. My guess right now is the motherboard. If I hadn’t installed any RAM yet, I probably would have seen an error like blinking lights or only the DRAM LEDs lighting up. I’m having trouble finding detailed error codes for these issues, so maybe I’m misunderstanding. I don’t know anyone with a similar setup who could help me diagnose parts, and my other computer is over seven years old with different sockets, making it hard to use. I might take it to a repair shop, but they charge around 90 USD for troubleshooting in my area, which is quite expensive. Do you think it’s worth paying for a shop to pinpoint the problem or should I go straight to the RMA and hope it’s the right board?
No worries... avoiding the expensive store is a good idea. This approach works by checking each part individually until you spot the issue (hopefully just one). It’s time-consuming, but free. If it doesn’t help, replace the motherboard and try a new one. Alternatively, wipe the RAM slots with 90% isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush, or use a blower to clear them out—my go-to method if you’re not in a rush.