Problem: Intermittent No boot (Solid Yellow or Blinking Yellow LED) on ASUS ROG Strix B450-I

[DinoP]

Background:

I built this system myself in early 2020 and it has been working mostly fine since then with relatively light use. 

Problem:

Sometimes the system will not boot up and I get a black screen. When this happens,  the DRAM motherboard LED stays solid yellow, or sometimes it  blinks yellow.  This system has been working fine since I built it, except for this problem. Sometimes the system will just shut down while I'm using it. It was not occurring that often, but recently it has gotten worse and happens much more frequently.

Steps I took to fix:

• Reseated the RAM (both sticks) (booted fine a few times)
• Tried using 1 RAM stick instead of 2 in the DIMM_A1 slot.  (booted once, but not again)
• Swapped RAM positions
• Reseated the GPU
• Reseated all motherboard connections
• Unplugged all unnecessary accessories
• Cleared the CMOS
• Restarted many many times. (boots up maybe 1 time out of every 10 attempts)

System Specs

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 2700
• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B450-I Gaming Motherboard (Mini ITX) Gen2 B450
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MHz C16 DDR4 DRAM Memory Kit – Black (CMK32GX4M2B3200C16)
• GPU: EVGA Geforce GTX 1070
• PSU: Corsair SF Series, SF600, 600 Watt, Fully Modular Power Supply
• Boot Disk: SAMSUNG 970 EVO SSD 1TB - M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive
• No overclocking. Everything is stock configuration
  
  Anyone know what could be the problem? Sometimes it boots fine, sometimes it doesnt even when I don't change anything, and just restart a few times. Very frustrating.  Thanks in advance. 

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @DinoP 

Based on your description, could you confirm if you have tried installing a single memory stick in the DIMM_A1 slot as recommended in the user manual?
If you haven't already, it's recommended to update to the latest BIOS version 5302, released on November 10, 2023, and check again.
Additionally, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 belongs to the pinnacle series, and according to the ROG-STRIX-B450-I-GAMING-PINNACLE-Memory-QVL, the CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 memory is not listed.
Given the occurrence of the Q-LED DRAM indicator or intermittent boot issues, it's suggested to cross-test with memory modules listed in the QVL.

Thank you.

[DinoP]

Hello @Jiaszzz_ROG Thanks for the reply. Yes, I have tried with a single  memory stick in the DIMM_A1 slot. The system booted but after a few moments it shut down. 

I have ordered new RAM, a kit of F4-3600C16D-32GVKC, which I saw listed as compatible in the document here below. I will try those out and  report back on the result.  https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/SocketAM4/ROG_STRIX_B450-I_GAMING/ROG-STRIX-B450-I-GAMING-PICA...

Thanks again.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @DinoP 

Thank you for your prompt response.
In addition to cross-testing with different memory modules, we also suggest trying to confirm whether the issue is resolved under the latest BIOS version and after clearing CMOS.
Please refer to [Motherboard] How to update BIOS of the motherboard ?(Include different generation CPU) if needed.

Thank you.

[DinoP]

Hi @Jiaszzz_ROG 

I updated the BIOS to version 5302 and the system is booting consistently now.  I am considering cancelling the RAM order now since the problem seems to be solved for now. I am curious though how the problem got worse over time considering I never updated the BIOS. 

Thanks again

[DinoP]

@Jiaszzz_ROG Unfortunately, success was short lived. After a day or so of use, the computer shut down on me mid use, and now I am getting the same Yellow DRAM light error and no bootup. One time I even got a solid red LED when trying to boot.

I will wait for the new RAM and report back. 

[DinoP]

@Jiaszzz_ROG I installed the new Ram kit and unfortunately I am still getting the same exact problem… solid yellow or blinking yellow DRAM LED. I tried using only the DIMM_A slot, both slots, and alternated the ram sticks… no luck.  I assume the problem then is not the ram. Any other idea what it could be? 

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @DinoP 

Could you please clarify if you are still experiencing intermittent boot issues with the DRAM Q-LED indicator lighting up, or is it consistently failing to boot?
When facing boot issues, do the power light and fans initiate?
Based on the situation you described, we recommend referring to the troubleshooting guide [Motherboard] Troubleshooting - No Power/No Boot/No Display, specifically the section "Test with minimal components, isolating the possible cause,"  and try booting with only the CPU, RAM, and PSU installed to identify any potential causes.

Thank you.

[DinoP]

Hello @Jiaszzz_ROG 

The issue has gotten worse even before I tried the new RAM. Ever since I update the BIOS, the system worked fine for a day, I even rebooted is 5-7 times in a row, but at one moment it shut down while I was using it, and since then it is consistently not booting. I am getting a blinking yellow DRAM LED . The power lights and fans do initiate. This is the case regardless of which RAM I use. I also cleared the CMOS again. No luck. I also removed they keyboard, mouse, wifi antenna. Previously I also tried with no GPU. I'm at a loss here. 

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @DinoP 

May I ask if you have checked if there are any bent pins on the CPU?
Additionally, if possible, we would suggest trying to cross-test with different hardware, such as another CPU or PSU.
If needed, consider reaching out to the place of purchase or contacting ASUS customer service for assistance with repair and inspection.

Thank you.