New Build Doesn't Turn On..Please Help!

Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 14:40

Hi
I've just built my second PC for someone else, and whilst there were not issues with the first computer, this second one is proving to be a headache. I'm fairly new to computers and only know the basics, so feel I'm over my head now.

My setup is:

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 with included cooler

Asus PRIME B550M-A (WI-FI) Motherboard

G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory

Seagate BarraCuda 510 250 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive

GALAX GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB (1-Click OC)

Corsair RMx (2018) 550 W 80+ Gold

The steps I've taken:

1) Computer initially turned on ok after plugging in keyboard, mouse, monitor, and was able to enter bios. Noticed CPU temp in BIOS was around 59C which I thought was a bit high, but didn't think much else. Changed the RAM settings to 3200hz. Didn't change anything else.

2) Created a windows 10 USB to boot off. Plugged in and the main Windows screen with the options to install came up (ie. English language, English keyboard etc), but it was frozen and I couldn't press enter, or press mouse to move to the screen. Next few times when i tried to do this again, it turned on to this screen briefly, then screen went black, and it looped like this until I forced off.

3) Did some research and tried to force the USB to boot via the BIOS and this seemed to work until the options to install screen came up again (this time I was able to use mouse to select and then select enter). It started to load the next screen, but turned off again. I tried again, but it kept turning on/off again in a loop, so I forced off.

4) Then tried to update the bios via USB, and now that won't even turn on (neither does the monitor).

I've tried unplugging and replugging in the RAM, GPU, stock cooler and resetting the CMOS. When I turn on, all the fans work (the lights are on the mobo) but the monitor stays black and nothing loads.

Does anyone have any ideas to try?

Cheers

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • Hybroid on 19/10/2020 - 14:41

    Plug monitor into motherboard IO panel rather than GPU and see if that works.

    • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 14:45

      Just tried- HDMI into mobo..still nothing!

    • apsilon on 19/10/2020 - 14:45
      +2

      That won't work as very few Ryzen have integrated graphics, needs to be one that ends in G.

      Reset the BIOS to defaults and see if that gets the display back.

      • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 14:50

        How do I do that without it actually booting?

        • apsilon on 19/10/2020 - 14:53

          Check the manual, usually there's a button you hold while turning on or a jumper that needs to be set.

          • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:02

            @apsilon: Thanks but there is nothing in the manual that states how to do this… not sure what a jumper is?

            • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:03

              @Milbo00: My mouse isn't even lighting up (as it was previously) so I think that is telling…

            • scrimshaw on 19/10/2020 - 15:13
              +3

              @Milbo00: The BIOS reset jumper is basically two exposed pins sticking straight up, it's labelled in your user handbook and on the mobo itself. You simply use a piece of metal, like a screwdriver to bridge the two pins.

              There's also a coin cell lithium battery that powers the CMOS, so if you remove the battery and completely power down your system (unplug mains), the settings go back to default

              See Youtube video for how-to

            • apsilon on 19/10/2020 - 15:20
              +5

              @Milbo00: Page 1-1 has the motherboard diagram. 12 is the clear CMOS jumper:
              "12. Clear CMOS header
              This header allows you to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data of the system setup information such as date, time, and system passwords.To erase the RTC RAM:
              1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
              2. Use a metal object such as a screwdriver to short the two pins.
              3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.
              4. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data.
              If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and short the two pins again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After clearing the CMOS, reinstall the battery

              • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:32

                @apsilon: Ok, thanks. I'll try it…Who knew that this was so time consuming! Lol

              • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:52
                +2

                @apsilon: Good news! Seemed to work. Thanks…totally new learning for me. So now, do you recommend updating the bios first before anything else?

                • apsilon on 19/10/2020 - 15:56

                  @Milbo00: Yes update the BIOS to the latest. Should be one of the first things you do to for maximum compatibility. You mentioned it stopped working after you changed the RAM settings. Are you sure the RAM is 3200 and that you entered the right settings?

                  Personally I get a system fully up and running and some stress testing done first before I start any overclocking etc.

                  • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:57

                    @apsilon: Yes, point taken, thanks! I'm pretty sure that ram was correct, but now I'll reset everything so fingers crossed it will work. Thanks for your help!

                    • apsilon on 19/10/2020 - 16:03

                      @Milbo00: No worries, glad you're up and running again.

                  • sal78 on 20/10/2020 - 01:43

                    @apsilon: Probably the new mobo. Need to update bios first. Wary to use new 550 when 450 works seamlessly.

                    • apsilon on 20/10/2020 - 06:29

                      @sal78: Nothing wrong with B550 unless you wanting to use an older CPU.

        • conza on 19/10/2020 - 16:04

          Seems like you're sorted so there should hopefully be a jumper like this

          https://kmpic.asus.com/images/2016/07/29/d409d003-0d48-4c2f-…

          Just remember with Ryzen motherboards if you're running an older CPU (2000 series on a B450/B550/X470/X570/A520) you may not want to update to the very latest bios because you may lose support for your older CPU and may not be able to go back.

  • raptormesh on 19/10/2020 - 15:07
    +1

    Does your mobo have boot diagnostics indicators? They are tiny leds on the board itself that will tell you if any component is getting past POST.

    • spendybeans on 19/10/2020 - 15:21

      This! It's a good first start.

  • nomoneynoproblems on 19/10/2020 - 15:10
    1. Take out one ram stick.
    2. Take out ssd
      Try to switch on. We just want to see if it will even power on and boot to bios. If it does your ssd could be shot. Also your initial cpu temps are definitely on the high side. The cooler could be poorly seated and it got too hot and shut off to save itself. (I've run into that chess nut before)
    • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:12

      Ok thanks. It's a brand new ssd but I'll take it out, and the ram. I reseated the CPU earlier.. Does it need more thermal paste?

      • whorishmouth on 19/10/2020 - 15:17

        Maybe, if you've run out you can use Nutella.

      • nomoneynoproblems on 19/10/2020 - 15:17

        It could be but let's hope it boots first. I had a poorly seated cooler and my pc switched off every few minutes. Drove me up the wall trying to figure out why.

      • spendybeans on 19/10/2020 - 15:18

        probably a dash but you need to make sure you clean it properly, and carefully!

      • nephilim on 19/10/2020 - 15:23

        Even without thermal paste it should boot, just shut off after 2-5mins after it reaches like 100c
        I made that mistake 10 years ago, bought a PC from ocau, it was a full build, except paste lol

    • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:17

      Took out ssd and one ram stick and still nothing…

      • nomoneynoproblems on 19/10/2020 - 15:20
        +1

        Silly question but everything is seated correctly? As in power connectors in motherboard, devices, etc? Psu is switched on at the unit and the wall? The front panel switches aren't loose and it's actually connected correctly?

      • spendybeans on 19/10/2020 - 15:20

        try putting the other RAM stick into the other slot.

        Are you sure you reseated the CPU properly?

      • nomoneynoproblems on 19/10/2020 - 15:25

        Also remove the usb drive if you haven't already.

        • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:33

          Thanks everyone, I'll check all of this!

  • spendybeans on 19/10/2020 - 15:20
    +1

    Check to see if the mobo has a bios recovery feature and try and follow that. I don't think you need to be messing with things like RAM speeds in the mobo at that stage, but even so it should still be letting you boot to BIOS.

    Could be a short, could be damaged components, could be a bunch of things.

    My process is to reset things to as stock/base as possible, remove the components to their bare minimum, and start working away at it.

  • nomoneynoproblems on 19/10/2020 - 15:22
    +1

    Also when you updated the bios did it say it completed the process? If not it could be a bricked motherboard.

    • smashman42 on 19/10/2020 - 15:33
      +1

      Ya, that point #3 is scary, you never turn stuff off when updating firmware unless like you've waited an hour and you know it has already bricked itself.

      If it has a flashback button on it to do a no CPU BIOS update that might be your only hope now.

    • Milbo00 on 19/10/2020 - 15:34

      Nope, didn't get to that point…it wouldn't boot from the power switch the second time…but I'll try shorting and see how I go…

  • Tavisophical on 19/10/2020 - 15:38

    So all you did was change the frequency of the RAM and nothing else?
    If so, are you sure you successfully reset the BIOS as per the instructions in the manual?

  • pformag on 19/10/2020 - 16:04

    Any beep codes?

  • Butt Scratcher on 19/10/2020 - 20:12
    +1

    Then tried to update the bios via USB, and now that won't even turn on (neither does the monitor).

    I think you might have bricked your motherboard. Was the update interrupted in any way? Was it the correct bios for your mobo?

    I get real sweaty whenever I update my bios for this reason, and only do it when I really need/want it

    • kiitos on 22/10/2020 - 07:58

      Me too, it seems something could easily go wrong

  • ln28909 on 21/10/2020 - 10:57

    Sometimes tech is weird, just leave it for a few days unplugged and see if it'll turn on after that

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