Q-CODE 16 on a new Maximus Z790 Hero

[francos]

Hi, I build a new pc with the Maximus Z790 Hero, 2x64 Corsair DDR5 RAM (in the QVL List) , m.2 Samsung 990 Pro, a Corsair PSU AZ1600i with a i9 13900K.

Every time I try to boot for instal the OS I have code 16 and I need to reset to restart. When I can get the boot, I could go to the instal but if I need to restart for the update I get always code 16. After many of this reboot now I get a blu screen with the notes I can't load the OS.

It is the first time I have this issue with the ASUS motherboard, I have still a Maximus IX and a Maximus XII Extreme.

Could you give me some trick to make bootable my pc?

[cekeu]

In the Rog Maximus Z790 Hero user manual the Q-Code debug table indicates that the numbers 15 to 18 are System Agent pre-memory initialization. It may be thought that there is a problem in the pre-memory initialization of the system agent.
Maybe reinstalling BIOS 1303 with the BIOS Flashback button would fix the problem?

[francos]

Hi cekeu, I could try. 
If I’m not wrong I need to dowload the bios 1303 and put in the usb in the port bios in the back, after I just try to start the pc and enter in the bios pages and make the reinstall… or only put the usb flash in the bios port and start?

[Silent_Scone]

Hi Francos,

Rename the BIOS as instructed on the support page and copy the file to a FAT32 formatted USB pen. 

Insert into the Flashback port and press and hold the button for a few seconds. The light should flash continuously for a minute or two until the process is complete.

[cekeu]

As Silent Scone said it allows you to completely reinstall the BIOS. You will find the manual on the card holder ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO | Gaming motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG Global (asus.com) .

Here is a screenshot of the Bios Flashback manual : 

 

[cekeu]

I think if the bios is not up to date you can update it in BIOS Advanced Mode/Tools/EZ Flash 3 Utility. If the BIOS is already up to date to version 1303, the BIOS Flashback method has a better chance of completely reinstalling it.

[francos]

TY cekeu, I try to update the bios today and after I write if this fix or not. 

[francos]

This is my set:

PC GAMING SIDE

CPU: INTEL Core i9-13900K 5.8GHz LGA1700

RAM: 64 GB DDR5 5600MHz CORSAIR DOMINATOR PLATINUM (CMT64GX5M2X5600C40)

VGA: ASUS NVIDIA RTX 3090EK WATERCOOLING

HD: SSD Samsung M.2 990 PRO 2TB x2  

SSD CRUCIAL 2TB -

SSD SAMSUNG 850 EVO 500GB - 

HD WESTER DIGITAL WD40 4TB

HD WESTER DIGITAL WD40 4TB

MOBO: ASUS ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO  EK WATERCOOLING Quantum Velocity2 1700

ALI. POWER: CORSAIR AX 1600i

CONTROLLER: ELGATO STREAM DECK

OS: Windows 11 PRO

[francos]

Hi, I did the bios update with Bios Flashback and perform it. After the blu blinking led stopped I restarted my PC and it boot 3 times and at the end the Code 16 was there again. I did a video of the restart

https://youtu.be/9wSUK8_sS-0

I have no idea to do now but I write to my reseller and explain the fact and he write me if the bios update was without solution to do a RMA.

[cekeu]

Code 16 is a system agent pre-memory initialization problem. I can only compare with the manual, maybe it's a memory or CPU problem, or the motherboard. If you can exchange it with the seller, so much the better.