The PC is currently active but will cease posting soon.
The PC is currently active but will cease posting soon.
Hi, I'm assembling a PC with these components: CPU 9800x3D, cooler AXP120x67, PSU SF750, RAM 64GB (two 32GB sticks), FLAREX 6000mhz CL30 motherboard, AsRock B650i Lightning Wi-Fi storage (1TB), SN850x 2TB MSI M482 case, and a GPU from Fractal Terra (not installed). I previously updated the BIOS via Bios Flashback and confirmed everything was detected before placing the build inside. After securing it in the case, I double-checked for posting status. Once Windows installation began, problems arose—system entered an automatic repair mode and refused to post again. Occasionally it would post by chance, but now it consistently fails. I attempted a CMOS reset, but that didn't help. After replacing the boot drive (SN850x), posting still failed, prompting its removal. Removing the drive resolved the issue temporarily, but once taken out, it remained stuck in a non-responsive state. I'm unsure if the problem lies with the PSU, RAM, CPU, or motherboard itself. Since fans spin and ports power up, I suspect a hardware fault rather than power supply failure. I've tried everything before installing the GPU to ensure a stable setup, but this sudden failure is unexpected. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
A failure during startup can result from a defective power supply unit or unsecured power cables, possibly because the system identifies an incompatibility between the CPU and the motherboard. Ensure both the motherboard power cable and CPU power cable are securely connected. Confirm that RAM is properly installed. When using multiple drives, check they are placed in the appropriate slots as specified in your motherboard manual.
Thank you for your update. I've verified the power cables and tested the RAM by swapping slots and using each in a single slot. It doesn't seem to be a motherboard compatibility issue, as it was reported previously.
Through further checks, I identified a stable solution. After resetting the CMOS, it should resolve the issue. I also noticed that if the system remains on the BIOS for too long post-reset, the display may eventually stop working. Although fans continue to run, I suspect a motherboard problem, though it's possible the CPU or power supply could be involved as well.
This morning before the new GPU arrived, I removed the platform (CPU, RAM, Motherboard, Cooler) from the case and attempted to post. It worked perfectly. Then I put it back in without securing the motherboard, and it booted up multiple times without any problems. Now I’ve tightened the motherboard, and it’s posted five times smoothly. Still unsure what caused the issues yesterday. I also let it sit in the BIOS for a few minutes to confirm it wasn’t experiencing the same problems where the display would shut down. I’ll take it, but it makes me wonder what exactly was happening.
The GPU arrived and I managed to install Windows and navigate to the desktop. However, after rebooting, I encountered posting issues. I observed the fans pulsing now, unlike when the system posted successfully before. Additional clues suggest a false positive CMOS clear might have occurred. Allowing the system to sit for 10-15 minutes before restarting resolved the posting problem.
I don't believe the GPU was the issue, even though adding one helped at first. Afterwards I encountered periods where I couldn't boot, and the GPU fans kept pulsing until I powered off the machine. If I left it idle for 30-45 minutes, it would sometimes start up successfully a few times, but then the screen would fail again, just like in the BIOS earlier. The idea that it "turns itself off" when not used suggests overheating might be the cause.