Crosshair X670E Extreme HDD Code 99 Boot Loop / Can't Enter BIOS

[QueenDaniiii]

Hey there, looking for help troubleshooting a new build. There is no OS installed, and I'm just trying to get in to the BIOS for initial setup before installing Windows. The boot process seems to go fine and I am able to see the UEFI splash screen on my monitor, but hitting F2 or Delete doesn't seem to do anything.The machine reboots and does it all over again.

I thought maybe it would try to boot from USB devices since there was no OS on the local SSDs, so I tried both a USB thumb drive and a USB CD-ROM, but nothing changed (they weren't booted from). On the Q-CODE screen and the little debug screen on this motherboard, I see it go through the normal post sequence and stop on code 99. This is labeled as 'Super IO Initialization', which makes sense but I've also read from Googling that this also means that the boot sequence was 'handed off' and is normal.

I've also read that not having a mouse/keyboard connected directly to the rear motherboard ports can cause this, as the system may need to present a prompt to me about a new CPU, memory configuration change and/or fTPM changes. To be clear, I don't get any of those prompts. Connecting to the rear ports didn't make any difference. I also read that using just iGPU may resolve this enough to get past initial setup, but that also didn't make any difference. Finally, I also read that it may be picky about high refresh rate monitors (which I was trying to use), so I fetched out a cheapo 1080P LCD monitor and tried that (both iGPU with dGPU removed, and dGPU).

Through troubleshooting this, I've tried muuuuultiple BIOS versions using USB Flashback but they all do the same thing (some just do it faster or slower than others). I've tried swapping memory kits between three different DDR5 kits (in all of the various positions, including with just single stick), including a low density kit of 16x2 since I know that 48GB support was 'newer'. I've also tried swapping with a spare 7950X3D with the same results. I don't appear to have any bent pens on the socket itself either and I've tried loosening the cooler as I've read that over-tightening can cause issues. Oh, I also tried removing all NVME drives (I don't have any SATA drives installed yet) physically, but it made no difference. All power connections have been checked. I've tried using safe boot button, manually setting the PCI-Express speed, enabling LN2, all without success and reverted back to default jumpers/switch positions after testing.

Any suggestions would be awesome, as I think I'm about out of things to try other than getting a new motherboard. If it helps, what I'm seeing looks exactly like this -

The specs are :

MB: Asus Crosshair X670E Extreme
CPU: AMD 7950X3D
Memory: G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB Series (AMD Expo) DDR5 RAM 96GB (2x48GB) 5600MT/s CL40-40-40-89
Storage: Crucial 4TB T700 in onboard first slot, Crucial 4TB T700 & Samsung 990 Pro 4TB in ROG GEN-Z.2
GPU: iGPU & RTX 3070 (for testing, final GPU will be 4090 in current rig)
BIOS: Tried 1415, 1515, 1709, 1807, 1905, 2007 (was scared to go older than 1415)

[achugh]

Hi @QueenDaniiii, I would go back to the most recent version of your BIOS. Once you are on the most recent version, start pressing DEL or F2 key (whichever you like) as soon as you press the power button to turn of your machine. See if this gets you into BIOS or does it also restart the boot process. Maybe pressing the F2 or DEL key once on the ASUS LOGO Splash screen is not working out for you and you just need to act faster while there is no OS installed. It is a total guess and you may have already tried and failed. Since you did not mention that you already tried the SMASH the BIOS key, I am suggesting it here in the hopes that it might help you out.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @QueenDaniiii 

May I ask if this issue was present when you first installed the motherboard, or did it appear after usage following software or hardware changes such as a BIOS update or system disk removal?
Can you enter the BIOS by pressing F2 or Del without any drives installed?

On an AMD platform motherboard, the Q-code 99 error during boot may indicate a CPU or memory issue.
Please refer to the relevant steps in [Motherboard] Common Q-CODE(Error CODE) and Troubleshooting.
And also check for any bent CPU pins and see if the Q-code 99 error persists when installing a single RAM stick in the DIMM_A2 slot.

If needed, cross-test with the module listed in the ROG CROSSHAIR X670E EXTREME memory QVL.

Thank you.

[QueenDaniiii]

Thanks for the reply! This is a brand new build, so I've never been able to enter BIOS/UEFI or boot installation media. I've tried the single stick of memory (and other known good memory kits) and it didn't have any change in behavior. I've also checked the board for bent pins and haven't found any.

I've also tried the suggestion with the key presses, but it doesn't make any change in behavior for the issue.

[achugh]

Hi @QueenDaniiii, please give the following a try. Download Windows 11 from the Microsoft Download page. Then use RUFUS to create your bootable USB Drive. See https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gaming-motherboards/can-asus-support-fix-realtek-audio-drivers-with-bo... post of mine for creating your bootable USB Drive.

Insert you single 48GB stick in the A2 slot. Do not install your GPU card. Now connect your Keyboard to the USB-A Slot that is just under the BIOS button on your Rear Panel. Connect your Mouse to the USB-A slot under CLR CMOS button. Next connect your newer high refresh rate monitor to the USB-C slot in the same row as the 10G LAN i.e. your USB4 slot. DO NOT connect to the USB-C slot with 10GB speed as it will not support VIDEO output from your CPU's built-in iGPU.  Now insert your Windows 11 Bootable USB that you created into the USB-A slot labeled BIOS.

If you have any Front Panel connectors like Audio or USB connectors connected, REMOVE them.

Turn on your machine using the START button on your motherboard right under your Q-CODE as you have disconnected all the front panel connectors, you will NOT be able to use the power button of your case. See if you are able to make progress. If not, turn the machine off, wait for 30 seconds and then press the START button on your motherboard again. This time keep on pressing F4 key instead of the DEL or F2 key. F4 gets your to use your USB Bootable device on the newer UEFI BIOS. See if you are able to see Windows Installation start up for you.

I hope this information helps you get unblocked.

[QueenDaniiii]

Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately, the same behavior is happening.

[achugh]

Hi @QueenDaniiii , I am sorry to hear that things are still not working for you. What type of keyboard have you connected? A wired or wireless? What about you mouse?

If you have any older keyboard which is wired with a USB connector lying around, can you try connecting that keyboard and no Mouse in the above setup and see if gets you post this error code?

[QueenDaniiii]

Happy weekend @achugh ! I've tried several different kinds, including an off the shelf normal usb keyboard with no change.

However, I think I've found the cause. I removed my cooler and CPU today to try reseating one more time and noticed that my CPU has a burn mark and the CPU socket has a lifted pin exactly where the burn mark on the CPU is. This actually makes a lot of sense and I'm glad to FINALLY find something, even if its not great news.

This was a motherboard that was purchased new in box sealed from a reseller, as the Extreme is no longer being sold by Asus (presumably from this and other issues??). I should have done my first BIOS upgrade with NO CPU socketed, but I think that I had it socketed when I first started doing BIOS upgrades (as I knew about the now well covered issue with this chipset/board and physically damaging CPUs and I was trying to avoid it.) and this has been damaged since without me noticing.

I'm going to be sad to be losing a couple of features (like the cool screen on the motherboard and the lit backpanel audio jacks), especially since I purpose planned this build around this motherboard but at this point I just want a working system so I have a new 7950X3D and a different X670E board coming tomorrow.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @QueenDaniiii 

Based on your description, "I removed my cooler and CPU today to try reseating one more time and noticed that my CPU has a burn mark and the CPU socket has a lifted pin exactly where the burn mark on the CPU is," have you tried cross-testing with another CPU?
Since further assistance may involve verifying the serial number, which relates to your personal information, it's not suitable for discussion in a public comment section.
I have PM you and kindly check it at your convenience.

Thank you.

[achugh]

@QueenDaniiii I am sorry to hear about your pains. Good luck on your next try. Hopefully, it will go better than this attempt. I wish you luck!