Read the sticky but I think it's more appropriate if I post here.
Here we go from the top, but here's my specs for reference:
Mobo: EVGA Z170 Stinger
CPU: i5-6600k
PSU: EVGA Supernova 750 G2
RAM: Kingston HyperX 2133mhz DDR4 8Gx2
GPU: RX480 8GB
OS: Windows 10
I've been with my current system for the better part of 2.3 years. Yesterday however, as I was playing Quake Champions (don't play it and
BUY 'DIABOTICAL'), my screen suddenly turned black. The PC itself was still running however, as I could clearly hear the in-game sounds. I checked to make sure it wasn't a display port issue, and it wasn't. Tried all button combinations to get it respond, but nothing was working. I've got a
EVGA Z170 Stinger motherboard, so I tried jumping into the BIOS by hitting the Clear CMOS button. Problem was, I couldn't access the BIOS. I'd be spamming F12 and other appropriate keys, but it just wasn't having it.
The PC was still restarting fine, however I noticed that the motherboard splashscreen was no longer coming up. It would go straight to the very cheap looking windows loading bar and boot to desktop. Obviously I found it weird that I couldn't access the BIOS, so I figured I'll just install the latest BIOS firmware. I downloaded the latest BIOS driver from EVGA website, and installed it after downloading. When the PC reset, that was that.
It would no longer boot to BIOS, let alone past it.The LED kept cycling through a few post codes, hanging on
4C at the end for a few seconds, and repeating the cycle. Checking the post code on the manual wasn't helpful, and so I began searching up the issue on the internet. As those already in the know, the 4C post code isn't something specific, but it means something is definitely wrong. Reading through existing threads, I tried a number of things:
-Taking out mobo battery for over an hour,
-Taking out the GPU and trying to boot with just CPU and RAM,
-Trying the above but with just one RAM (alternating through both slots),
-Trying different RAM.
-Check the CPU throne for bent pins (there are none).
The different RAM I tried was from a friend. They were
GSKILL 3000mhz DDR4 8Gx2. I was running the
HyperX Fury 2133mhz DDR4 8Gx2. He agreed to swap with me for a couple of hours so I could guarantee it wasn't a RAM issue. My RAM was working on his system fine, and I was still getting the same issue on my board with his only 1 month old RAM.
This is when I decided to pull everything out and try again. Here's what it looks unpowered (note only the CPU and mobo power cables are plugged in):
Here's what I get when I power the mobo without RAM:
It cycles through a few postcodes and hangs a little longer on
53 (meaning no usable memory is detected, which is fine).
And here it is when I add in a single RAM stick into slot 1:
Once again, it cycles though a number of post codes and hangs at
4C for a little longer.
It's at this point that I decided to make a thread just to get some outside opinion. I find it unlikely that the PSU is the culprit, even more so that the BIOS update would ruin the mobo like this, but what the hell do I know. For whatever reason, it feels like the motherboard went insane (for whatever reason), and isn't recognizing/reading the RAM.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear your thoughts.
post edited by HelloGorilla - 2019/04/05 01:38:55