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  • #3937421

    Is this build cursed?

    by matt1636653145 ·

    A first time builder brought me a PC to look over in April. Specs are as follows: Micro ATX Cooler Master case, Asus TUF B450M-Pro mobo, Ryzen 5 1600, 16GB T-Force DDR4 3200 (2×8), Nvidia Quadro M4000 GPU, Zumaxpower 550W PSU (I think, it could have been another one), PNY 240GB 2.5″ SSD, 1TB HDD. Cabling was a mess, but I fixed that and double checked compatibilities and didn’t find any obvious issues. I plugged in a Win10 install stick and flipped the switch.

    I think that first time, the fans started spinning and that was it.

    (details removed for length)

    I swapped all the parts one at a time to no effect. Then I swapped the mobo and processor at the same time in case the fault was moving back and forth. This actually worked, briefly. The drive I wanted to install windows on wasn’t listed, so I checked the cables and tried again. Only the fans ran. That Mobo/Processor combo needs a BIOS update to run, according to one post deep in a forum.

    The third build consists of an MSI B550M-PRO, a Ryzen 9 3900X, 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 2777, MSI GeForce GT710, Corsair CX550M PSU, Intel 256GB M.2 SSD, and 1TB HDD. I had started with a Ryzen 7 2700X, but discovered that a BIOS update would be needed for this combo as well. The third gen Ryzen is supposed to work with the bios that come on the board. I get no response whatsoever. I’ll clarify steps as needed in the discussion.

    I must have missed some important detail through this whole thing. What is it?

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    • #3939968
      Avatar photo

      Have to answer yes.

      by rproffitt ·

      In reply to Is this build cursed?

      That list has a lot of what I see as “difficult.” It also appears to have an old CPU so maybe this is something the client has built with used, I had these on hand parts or something failed and they were trying the old “parts cannon” approach to repair.

      Doesn’t matter. It’s time to start over. Pull the motherboard and CPU out onto cardboard. Test that PSU as usual (plenty on the web so I won’t go over that here) then hook up a speaker to the motherboard. Does it beep? If not you are looking at the base problem. If it beeps, add one stick of RAM and maybe a known good graphics card and try again.

      Depending on how the smallest number of parts test plays out determines the next move.

      • #3939967
        Avatar photo

        PS.

        by rproffitt ·

        In reply to Have to answer yes.

        One of the most common cursed build issues I run into is…

        The builder left extra mounting posts in the case which causes a short to the backside of the motherboard.

        • #3939933

          Good suggestions

          by matt1636653145 ·

          In reply to PS.

          The original build was pretty clever, all new parts, even if some of them were older. I’ll admit that I was the parts cannon. I think the first thing to do is go back to a processor that produced a response to see if I can at least reverify that there are no new problems since plugging in the Ryzen 9 (which is used, but acquired from an experienced builder).

          I have seen the mounting post issue, but I hadn’t thought of that here. Definitely worth a look.

          At that point, I’ll have the mobo out anyway, so I’ll try the rest of your suggestion.

          I just keep coming back to the few times it did actually fire up… Why would it work that time, but not before or after? The old “off and on again” usually doesn’t apply to “will it fire at all” problems.

        • #3939932
          Avatar photo

          The extra mounting post(s) can result in

          by rproffitt ·

          In reply to Good suggestions

          Works once in a while which will confound techs and owners why it does that. The post could make or break contact with temperature, case movement or a gremlin’s attitude.

        • #3939875

          New steps taken

          by matt1636653145 ·

          In reply to The extra mounting post(s) can result in

          Ok, so I removed the case from this build. My MSI mobo and Ryzen 9 3900x sat on my anti-static mat and I plugged them into a corsair cx550 PSU. I put a beep speaker on it and tried to power with no results at all. Great, new mobo is dead.

          Then, on a whim, I decided to put some of the original parts back together without the case. TUF B450M-Pro Gaming mobo, Rysen 5 1600. Sucker lights up as soon as i plug in the PSU, trigger a boot and it gives me the beep code for no RAM. Add RAM (DDR4 2777, not 3200 as original). Lights up. Add MSI GeForce GT710 and a monitor and get one long, three short, pause, one short beep code. Graphics issue, but the first suggestion is to reseat the RAM. Did that, no change. Swapped GPU for a Radeon of identical form factor, no labels on it, so I don’t know what it is. I put on a 256GB M.2 SSD and plugged in my Windows 10 stick for fun. I’m now in the BIOS.

          Just so we are clear, I have gotten this far before. Everything looks like it should. Now I’m going to exit setup and try to install windows. Update in a few.

        • #3939874
          Avatar photo

          GT710 are Jurassic old things.

          by rproffitt ·

          In reply to New steps taken

          About 2013 and I’ve seen too many over the years. Good to read you’re back to at least the BIOS.

        • #3939852

          Conclusion

          by matt1636653145 ·

          In reply to GT710 are Jurassic old things.

          I swear I posted a conclusion before this, my browser even lists the title I used in the autocomplete…

          No matter.

          The ultimate culprit was the RAM. Go figure. Despite numerous posts all over saying that RAM is RAM is RAM, that’s the only material difference between what worked and the original build.

          So, for clarity and brevity’s sake: T-Force DDR4 3200 CL 16-18-18-38 is NOT compatible with Ryzen 5 1600 or TUF B450-Pro Gaming. That’s the ultimate lesson here.

          Unless it’s gremlins.

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