The system is refusing to connect online.
The system is refusing to connect online.
I've been using this setup for roughly two years now—3800xt with 32GB RAM, a 5700xt processor, and an Asus Prime motherboard. Last night I removed my CPU and changed the thermal paste. When I power on the machine, it shows the BIOS splash screen but won’t let me press F2 to enter BIOS settings.
No, you did not physically remove the CPU from the motherboard during the thermal paste replacement.
Consider using a different USB port, preferably USB 2 if available on the case or board. If the issue persists, the CPU might need to be repositioned again. Check if any other components were reseated during your work. The cooler pressure could also affect the situation. I recommend reseating the CPU because with an AM4 socket, removing a cooler can sometimes pull it out completely or partially, causing pins to misalign. Ensure proper contact and retention before reattaching the cooler; otherwise, it’s likely the main cause.
It's an NHD 15 cooler, I've replaced some RAM modules several times, and I've also upgraded the RAM sticks.
It's difficult to determine their shape. Are they bent or straight?
All the connections are straight. Some folks checked the actual CPU to verify there’s nothing amiss. I plan to reattach it and increase pressure using the cooler.