Crosshair X670E Hero - Long time to POST - Q-Code 15

[kaiserspark]

At boot, computer takes around 50 seconds with Q-Code 15 and Orange Q-LED, then proceeds to other parts of POST and boots normally. This is a new custom build. I read elsewhere this may be a buggy BIOS doing memory training on every boot. Already tried EXPO I, EXPO II, EXPO Tweak, and Auto. Nothing changes the outcome.

Configuration:

- Asus Crosshair X670E Hero, BIOS 1602

- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D

- Kingston 64GB 6000MHZ KF560C36BBEAK2-64 (is part of this motherboard Qualified Vendors List)

- INNO3D RTX 4090 (problem happens with either this GPU or the integrated GPU)

Any Thoughts? Thank you!

[D4NK3STM3M3S · Accepted solution]

First thing I'd recommend is trying other BIOS revisions for your board.

Aside from that, there's a setting called Memory Context Restore that improved boot times for ryzen 7000. The setting is in the BIOS twice so try one and if it BSODs like it had done for me and many others some time ago then try the other (the one that was found to work by me and others is the first one in the message below, for some reason the other one was causing instant BSOD but maybe it's been fixed now).

There's two MCR options in the BIOS, one in the AI tweaker area and one in the Advanced options. You could try switching to the other one depending on which one you're currently using. I'm not entirely sure what your motherboard bios looks like but assuming it's mostly the same, in Ai Tweaker/Extreme tweaker go to the DRAM Timing Control and scroll quite far down and you'll find the first Memory Context Restore option in there. The second one can be found in Advanced options. First go to Advanced, then scroll down to AMD CBS, then to UMC common options and finally it's under memory features or a similar label but once in UMC common options it's not too hard to find the second MCR option. Disable the one you're currently using and enable the other one and see if that changes anything. (P.S this is copy pasta from the only solution I have posted so ignore anything that may not seem relevant to you)

[kaiserspark]

Wow thanks a lot for that! Havent't tried the solution yet but appreciate the tutorial! I won't try another BIOS version because I'm using an X3D version (7950X3D), which Asus had a very serious chip frying issue with older BIOS. So I can only go forward, not backward. But I have not tried MCR. Will do that and revert.

[kaiserspark]

It worked! But with a few details in order to get there.

As a matter of fact, both options seemed to work the same. I tested enabling one and leaving the other on auto, and vice versa.

In the option under Extreme Tweaker, when I enabled Memory Context Restore, the option just above - Power Down Enable - was also automatically enabled.

After hitting F10 and ENTER, the computer would POST again, with no change in long boot behavior. And then tried the second option, with the same result. I was frustrated....

Then I decided to fully power down the computer, on the Power Button, and on again. Same long boot. But this time I think it was retraining for the last time. After a second cold power down, the computer POSTed FAST! No memory retraining.

I tested again this process with the other MCR BIOS option, and the result was the same.

Thank you very much. I hope these addition details help the community as well.

[kaiserspark]

By the way, in my motherboard (Crosshair X670E Hero), the second MCR option is in:

Advanced --> AMD CBS --> UMC Common Options --> DDR Options --> DDR Memory Features --> Memory Context Restore

[Vicrattle22]

Hey. I have the exact same mobo and CPU as you different ram ( 2-32GB sticks) but 6000 mhz.

I have essentially the exact same thing…1 minute long boot times with it going from 15 Amber to red to white to green. 

When I enable the MCR as your above mentions, I get nothing but BDOS. Do u have expo enabled? If so is it 1,2 or tweaked? 

I’ve tried almost everything to improve post times, but it all leads to constant BSOD

thank you! 

[Silent_Scone]

Hello, 

Before enabling MCR (Memory Context Restore) it's important to establish the memory is stable. Have you tested memory stability in the OS with any tools (Karhu, TM5 etc)?

[Vicrattle22]

Hey, thanks for replying! 

no I haven’t (not the most tech savvy person) but I did ensure the ram was approved…and it seemed to be well recommended for the mobo. What would u recommend I test with? And after it’s tested….then what? 

[Silent_Scone]

Personally I'd recommend Karhu Ramtest.

Karhu recommend the test is ran for at least 6000%. 

Make sure you are enabling Memory Context Restore under AI Tweaker/DRAM Timing Control.

[Vicrattle22]

So before I got to this step. I went to boot my Pc on and it won’t boot past Q code 15 (w/amber light). It will sit on that Q code for 1/2 hour. Never changes. I have tried flashing back the bios and such..nothing. How do I tell which part may be faulty? My setup is as follows: 

ROG X670e Hero

AMD Ryzen 7950X3D

G Skill trident Z5 Neo (2x32gb)