3 weeks after BIOS 2503 Update AsusZ790-F (Random crashes, Red/Green/White/Yellow LED, TPM errors)

[bwandowando]

I updated to the latest BIOS 2503 with my Asus Z790-F , and enabled all INTEL RECOMMENDED Settings. THis was around 3 weeks ago, and my PC has been rocksolid, or so I thought.

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gaming-motherboards/rog-strix-z790-f-gaming-wifi-won-t-boot-up/m-p/103...

Then after roughly 3 weeks im starting to get weird crashes, random shutdowns, and the inability to boot my machine for prolonged periods. Doing a clear CMOS multiple time is the only way that I can bring the system back up.

Video

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D-IFheuNVEvNltDWxWw3_l9D4NsA2Jrj/view

I also havent installed any "major" software. Havent installed any new piece of hardware. It's the same setup for more than 12 months.

I also cleaned and reseated RAM, CARD, cleaned ventilation, etc. I am also using stock settings (except XMP for RAM). I'm not overclocking. My workload is predominantly Machine Learning and Deep Learning.

Anyone else having the same problems?

This is getting frustrating.  😖

UPDATES

• One hour PRIME 95 Torture test in UBUNTU  (NO ERRORS)
• 
• 3dMARK Stress test in Windows (96.8% NOT PASSED, but no ERRORS or crashes)
• 
• MEMTEST Complete (NO ERRORS)
• I have 3 NVME SSDs, so far they are healthy. I looked into the error log contents, and there are actally no errors
• 

So with this information

• No CPU errors
• No GPU errors
• No RAM errors
• No NVME errors

The only left to test are PSU (Corsair HX1000i) and MOBO (Asus Z790-F). My PC is connected to a Cyberpower UPS and connected to an AVR, so I can say that my PSU health is optimal as I it's always getting a steady current and shielded from power spikes. And, as the mobo already had a history of issues (blinking FLSHBK LED), Im leaning towards MOBO issues.

[inge70]

So the QLEDs on the mainboard shouldn't be lit permanently.
They usually only light up briefly when the PC starts up.
If the LEDs are lit permanently, then it would be worth knowing.
In the screenshots in your other thread, the LEDs for CPU and VGA are lit. Do these LEDs light up permanently or only briefly?

[bwandowando]

They are permanently lit as RED/ ORANGE/ WHITE/ YELLOW/ GREEN. 

When I do a reset, sometimes a different color shows up... Permanently as well till doing a hard reset or a clear CMOS, Im currently using it now, but I had to do hard resets and clear CMS like 10-15x. And during those attempts, i get permanent RED (CPU), ill reset. Then ill get PERMANENT WHITE (GPU), then ill reset, then permanent ORANGE (RAM). It's weird. I know. But, it's been rocksolid and stable for 3 weeks since the bios update, then just yesterday (or the other day), this... all these happened. I've reseated, cleaned, swapped RAM slots, etc to at least try to isolate the problem, but things tell me it's the motherboard.

With  some luck , i'd be able to go into BIOS, then sometimes, finally able to boot into Linux

[inge70]

So basically: When the PC starts, the QLEDs on the mainboard will automatically light up one after the other. This is normal (see the description in the manual).

However, none of the QLEDs should light up permanently after the PC has started.

If this is the case, it indicates the source of the error. In your case, either the CPU or the graphics card.

You wrote that the problem only occurred 3 weeks after the UEFI update to 2503. Have you tried going back to an earlier UEFI version and checking whether the problem still exists?

[inge70]

The QLEDs RED (CPU), Yellow (RAM) and White (VGA) are constantly lit?

Then the problem is either with the power supply or the mainboard.

What did you do before the problem occurred, did you clean the inside of the PC or change other hardware?

Check that all cable connections on the power supply and mainboard are correctly seated.

Even if the power supply is new, it may contain errors.

If all cables are plugged in correctly, according to the instructions in the mainboard manual, the only thing that helps is to test a different power supply (if available). If the error also occurs with a different power supply, then the only remaining problem is with the mainboard itself.

[bwandowando]

What did you do before the problem occurred, did you clean the inside of the PC or change other hardware?

Unfortunately, NONE.

I havent installed any new hardware.

I havent done any cleaning before it happened.

Im quite sure the cables are all snuggly connected.

That's why im suspecting it's the motherboard, because since May of this year, I've been encountering problems that were  mentioned in the other thread that I was replying to (blinking FLASHBACK)

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gaming-motherboards/rog-strix-z790-f-gaming-wifi-won-t-boot-up/m-p/104...

Tthen I updated to the latest bios , then it went away and was happy and it was rocksolid stable for 3 weeks.

Then just recently, here I am  having problems again.

[inge70]

ah, there were problems before that the update 2503 only fixed for a short time. I hadn't read that in the other thread or overlooked it.

All the spacers are installed under the motherboard where they need to be. So there aren't too many underneath?

There should only be 8 or 9 spacers, where there should also be screws for attaching the motherboard to the case.

If everything is OK, I would consider an RMA of the motherboard via Asus or your dealer where you bought it.

PS:

I have the same motherboard and CPU as you and have had NO problems so far.

[bwandowando]

*sigh

I envy you.

This rig of mine is almsot 2 years old, first year I didn't have any problems, everything changed starting May of this year.

I could have gotten the initial batch of Asus Z790-F's which could have had some quality issues. 

Yes, I'll attempt to have it RMA'd soon, if the techsupport would confirm that it's indeed the mobo.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @bwandowando 

We noticed that you had experienced boot issues a few months ago, but you later indicated that the problem no longer occurred:

Summary

1. I left PC running for a week and did a battery of stress tests
2. I already have the ErP setting turned off

Issue went away

Typically, if a new BIOS version introduces issues, these problems usually become apparent immediately after the update.
For your current situation, we would like to clarify any changes in settings, software, or hardware that may have occurred in the past three weeks, which might have led to the described issue.
Since the ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI supports Windows systems, we recommend removing all SSDs, HDDs, and external storage devices, leaving only the Windows system drive before checking again.

Alternatively, kindly test with the minimal components to ensure you can boot into BIOS without encountering any Q-LED indicators: with only the CPU (using integrated graphics), RAM, and PSU installed.
Given that your hardware involves an Intel 13th Gen CPU, you might also consider whether the CPU needs to be sent for repair.
If you decide to send the motherboard for further hardware inspection, as previously suggested, please contact ASUS support in your region to make arrangements.
I had DM you regarding your previous discussion, but I haven’t received a response.
Kindly check and respond at your convenience.

Thank you.

[bwandowando]

Hello @Jiaszzz_ROG 

Yes, I acknowledge that I've posted in that thread where, starting May 2024, I've started getting the blinking FLSHBK led. Since then, I've had did two BIOS updates, with the latest one BIOS 2503 around 3 weeks ago.

For your current situation, we would like to clarify any changes in settings, software, or hardware that may have occurred in the past three weeks, which might have led to the described issue.

No, I havent installed any new hardware, nor I've done any bios updates. The only updates that I did are Ubuntu/ Windows routine updates. 

Alternatively, kindly test with the minimal components to ensure you can boot into BIOS without encountering any Q-LED indicators: with only the CPU (using integrated graphics), RAM, and PSU installed.

I will do that once i encounter issues again.

Given that your hardware involves an Intel 13th Gen CPU, you might also consider whether the CPU needs to be sent for repair.

For reference, I havent encountered the symptoms here https://www.reddit.com/r/intel/comments/1ekiwku/signs_to_be_aware_if_your_13th14th_gen_cpu_is/

I also ran 2 hours of PRIME95 immediately after the doing the BIOS 2503 update, and I didnt get any errors. But once I get rig issues once again, ill rerun it

I just dont quite understand what's happening, im getting various QLED errors after weeks of stable performance, and without me installing any new hardware or software. My PC is also connected to a UPS, with the UPS connected to an AVR, ensuring that there are no fluctuations in terms of electric current going into my PC. 

When I get the time in the next few days, ill do a deep dive and will try to identify the problem and will reply to this thread.

Update

I ran a 1 hour stress test on my RIG using prime95 in Ubuntu and so far I have no errors, I can say that my processor isnt damaged or compromised by the voltage issues plaguing 13th and 14th Gen Intel procs

Update #2:

I did a 3DMark Stress Test (96.8% not passed but no errors or crashes)

Update

Ran memtest, it passed