NEW AMD RIG - First Boot Unsucessfull - CPU LED

[Taylor2254]

Hi Guys. Just tried to boot my new rig for the first time and the fans all came on, but no output to monitor at all, and a light labelled CPU_LED is constantly lit from the moment I pressed the button.

I have;
ASUS Sabertooth 990FX Motherboard
AMD FX8350
750W Bronze Power Supply

As far as I can tell I have connected the power correctly (One 24pin lead and an 8Pin lead, am I right?)
Tried RAM in all, some and No slots and the same issue
Tried with and without GPU, and same issue.

I tried to Flash the BIOS with the most recent verson, but this did not seem to do anything (the BIOS Flash button flashed for 10s and then went solid - I think Ive read that its meant to flash for 2 to 3 minutes.

Please help.

[Millennium]

is the cpu in the approved list for the motherboard for all shipped bios revisions?
did you get a speaker attached and if so any beeps at started. and if so did you look up the power on self test (POSt) error code for guide?

[Taylor2254]

is the cpu in the approved list for the motherboard for all shipped bios revisions?
did you get a speaker attached and if so any beeps at started. and if so did you look up the power on self test (POSt) error code for guide?

No speaker, No post error code.
I have been able to update the BIOS not to top current version, but CPU LED is still there
Any other Ideas?

[Millennium]

in your situation my most likely suggestion would be get a speaker somehow and plug it into the mobo header

my second most likely suggestion is then try a local PC shop and fingers cross they haved enough parts to debug your systempartconfiguration and are nice about it

edit: check the bios you updated against revision / version number against the cpu for the compat of the CPU fit to the motherbo
edittwo: if you have no post error code, do you mean you didn't hear it, or you know for a fact you got no post error info from the hard ware

[Taylor2254]

in your situation my most likely suggestion would be get a speaker somehow and plug it into the mobo header

my second most likely suggestion is then try a local PC shop and fingers cross they haved enough parts to debug your systempartconfiguration and are nice about it

edit: check the bios you updated against revision / version number against the cpu for the compat of the CPU fit to the motherbo
edittwo: if you have no post error code, do you mean you didn't hear it, or you know for a fact you got no post error info from the hard ware

I mean that there is no speaker.
The mobo is fitted with LEDs for troubleshooting.
The CPU led is constantly on suggesting that there is an error with it.

[Millennium]

then I defer

thanks for the posting

[Taylor2254]

then I defer

thanks for the posting

No other ideas at all?

[Millennium]

maybee
could be the memory

[kalniel]

Does the BIOS report everything correctly? Check it detects all your sticks of RAM, HDD, and that the voltages look correct.

[Dooms]

You said you had issues flashing latest bios and ended up flashing at old one? Which version did you flash?

http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/...Desk_Download/

You need at least 2103 as this is the one that adds support for the FX8350+

Are you extracting the .CAP file from the zip before putting it on the USB drive and renaming? Have you formatted that USB drive to FAT16 or FAT32?

1. Format a USB stick to FAT16 or FAT32
2. Download the latest BIOS from the Asus website, extract the zip onto the USB Drive
3. Rename the BIOS file to ST990R20.CAP
4. Put the USB drive into the Flashback USB port (dedicated port, next to the button on the back of the board).
5. Without turning the system on, push and hold the Flashback button for 3ish seconds until it starts blinking blue.
6. Wait for it to stop blinking, 1-2 minutes.
7. Remove USB and start up as usual.

[Taylor2254]

You said you had issues flashing latest bios and ended up flashing at old one? Which version did you flash?

http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/...Desk_Download/

You need at least 2103 as this is the one that adds support for the FX8350+

Are you extracting the .CAP file from the zip before putting it on the USB drive and renaming? Have you formatted that USB drive to FAT16 or FAT32?

Hi, Thanks

I have been able to flash the most recent version of BIOS using the USB Flashback. The initial problem was the USB I was using. Flashback either doesnt line USB 3.0 or a size of 16GB.

When I used an old 4GB USB it worked. Flashed for 2 to 3 Minutes and then went off. According to the manual, that means it worked.

The problem is that it doesnt post. I turn PSU on and boot and the red CPU led goes red instantly and I have no video output, no beeps, nothing.

All fans spin, but nothing else.

[Dooms]

The problem is that it doesnt post. I turn PSU on and boot and the red CPU led goes red instantly and I have no video output, no beeps, nothing.

All fans spin, but nothing else.

Hmmm this is what I was having before the BIOS update but all fine after. DOA CPU or damaged pins?

[watercooled]

DOA CPUs are extremely rare as far as I'm aware, however I have heard of bent pins/damaged contacts causing problems, but I imagine this is very uncommon on AMD systems because of the PGA system.

Is the RAM seated properly? Be sure the clamps close themselves, don't help them shut as it can mean it's not in fully.

Also, maybe try one stick of memory at a time, in different slots. Then try re-building outside of the case to eliminate shorts, etc.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What PSU do you have?

[Taylor2254]

Hmmm this is what I was having before the BIOS update but all fine after. DOA CPU or damaged pins?

DOA CPUs are extremely rare as far as I'm aware, however I have heard of bent pins/damaged contacts causing problems, but I imagine this is very uncommon on AMD systems because of the PGA system.

Is the RAM seated properly? Be sure the clamps close themselves, don't help them shut as it can mean it's not in fully.

Also, maybe try one stick of memory at a time, in different slots. Then try re-building outside of the case to eliminate shorts, etc.

Thanks for the replies. Yeah I have also been told that the DOA CPUs are extremely rare and normally at least allow some sort of post, bios or some function before crashing etc.

I had a PC Specialist check it today (for the nominal fee of £15), and he said that although he couldnt test it definitively, He is 90% sure that it is a motherboard issue...and most probably an issue with the AM3 Socket.

He checked the processor and confirmed that there were no broken or bent pins, but he did not have another AM3 board to try it in.

What PSU do you have?

The PSU is a bronze certified 750w Cooler Master G750M. I have also tried another PSU that I know to be working, and the same issue appeared.


I have sent the board back to Amazon and expect a new one to be delivered tomorrow morning according to the courrier. Hopefully there will be no issues with the new one, but just in case it has the same issue...do you guys have any other ideas?

Ohh! And my UltraWide monitor arrived today! It is niceee!

[Taylor2254]

Hi guys... New motherboard arrived this morning, and worked perfectly out of the box, so this confirms that the other mobo was DOA.

A waste of my time, but I have a working, beautiful, amazing computer now and im happy. Thanks for your help!