New build - Asus P8Z68-V GEN3 problem?

[al128]

Hi everyone,

I have just bought lots of new parts from OcUK for my second ever build, so I'm still rather inexperienced so bare with me

After putting everything together the first problem I encountered was that the red ram light would come on, and after about 10 seconds the pc would restart itself. Niether time would it post to monitor.

After playing around with the RAM, and trying the memOK button, I have deducted that any RAM combination with B1&B2 works fine (and I get post to monitor and can play with the bios), but if I put RAM in either A1 or A2 (left hand side on mobo when standing upright) it will fail to post and that red light would come on (even if there is RAM in B1/B2 which I know works).

After some google searches it seems like the problem is either with the motherboard or cpu (for the record it is an Intel 2500k with this cooler: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-GD). THis leads me to believe when I come home from work tonight I need to try the following things:

-CMOS restart - I don't really understand what this is or how to do it

- Loosening off the cpu cooler - Apparently this can 'warp' the motherboard if too tight and may cause problems with ram detection (though it seems weird it won't start when there is RAM present in A1/A2 and B1/B2 knowing the B side seems working, it obviously must know something is in the A side to throw a problem)

- Checking the CPU seating and for any bent pins - Given that the cpu only fits in the socket one way, and there is a mechanism for closing the latch down I don't really see how it can't be sitting properly. I suppose I will have to check for bent pins either way though (will I have to reapply the thermal paste after taking the cpu cooler off? Or do you only need to do this when you put in a completely new cpu cooler?)

If there is anything else you can think of please let me know, I would like some reasurance that the tests above are relevant to my troubleshooting.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Plec]

After some google searches it seems like the problem is either with the motherboard or cpu (for the record it is an Intel 2500k with this cooler: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-001-GD). THis leads me to believe when I come home from work tonight I need to try the following things:

Warping is quite a common problem with large 3rd party coolers if fitted incorrectly (but could still be unrealted to yours). When you fit the cooler be sure to screw in the screws bit by bit using the diagonal method - as this will reduce the risk of warping. If you didin't do this - i would loosen the screws (don't move the HS) and then re-screw them in using the method described.

-CMOS restart - I don't really understand what this is or how to do it

The instructions for clearing the CMOS are on page 2-20 (2.2.7) - this will reset your BIOS (clearing any settings that you or your hardware changed) - be sure to have the power off and disconnected from the mains. Then switch back on the power and on first boot go back into the BIOS and load optimised defaults (or similar) and then reapply your manual settings save and exit.

Checking the CPU seating and for any bent pins - Given that the cpu only fits in the socket one way, and there is a mechanism for closing the latch down I don't really see how it can't be sitting properly. I suppose I will have to check for bent pins either way though (will I have to reapply the thermal paste after taking the cpu cooler off? Or do you only need to do this when you put in a completely new cpu cooler?)

If you feel you need to reseat the CPU (sometimes required regardless of 'one way fit' - odd i know) - then if you're careful you can reseat it with the original paste. It's not ideal but would be fine for testing purposes. Just be sure not to get any dust or grease on the TIM and then refit straight away once you've checked pins and reseated the CPU. Place the HS on very carefully (use your finger covered in clingfilm to respread paste evenly if necc) then go straight to the temps in BIOS to check that they're OK once you first boot up again.

Obviously, reapply, more paste at a later date...

After playing around with the RAM, and trying the memOK button, I have deducted that any RAM combination with B1&B2 works fine (and I get post to monitor and can play with the bios), but if I put RAM in either A1 or A2 (left hand side on mobo when standing upright) it will fail to post and that red light would come on (even if there is RAM in B1/B2 which I know works).

Before reseating -but after the CMOS reset - run memtest on each of the sticks in the slots that work from a bootable ISO - link - for a few hours.

If you get any errors then test each stick individually - it may be that the B1/B2 slots are more tolerant - if the memory is slightly flaky.

However, be sure to set the XMP or set the memory up manually before running memtest - i.e. set them up at optimum spec (assuming they're 12800 sticks?).

 

[wazza300]

test each ram slot one at atime,it will boot up into windows from any single ram slot,then test each stick of ram one by one to make sure there are no faulty sticks,try loosening off the heatsink by a quarter/half a turn on each screw