2 year old Maximus VII Gene throws 00 error - help me diagnose the problem

[WhyDoesMyStuffB]

Dear users,

I am encountering an 00 error on my mainboard since a couple of days and have not managed to get it to successfully boot since. I am running out of things to try and so I would like to hear your opinion.

What’s the problem, briefly?
My computer’s screen remains black. All fans are spinning, at full speed (like they do briefly on startup). The CPU LED is on. Nothing else is happening; no image on screen, no power for my USB devices, etc.



How did this happen?
Two days ago I came back to my desk when my PC’s screen was black. I thought it had gone to sleep mode, but wouldn’t wake up. So I rebooted it. The screen did not light up again, so I rebooted a couple of times more to no effect.

Then the screen sprang on one time, giving an error during booting about some CPU overlocking settings that was not recognized or supported (I do not remember the exact description I’m afraid). It prompted me to go into BIOS to make changes, so I entered the BIOS and tried to set everything to default. Mind you, I never did any overclocking (at least not that I'm aware of; I was using the AI suite though and have read that it might cause problems?). This did not fix the problem.

I opened the case and I think I saw that the CPU and case fans were not spinning, however the GPU fan was; the PC was eerily quiet. The mainboard LED was showing ‘00’.

A couple of reboots later I briefly got to the Windows loading screen. Since then I’ve had no display anymore.

I let the PC cool off for a while. Ever since then the behavior is identical when I start it: all fans start spinning at full speed, GPU seems to turn on, nothing happens on the screen, CPU LED is on, and the error code 00 is displayed.



What could I do so far?
* Swapped the RAM, changed RAM slots, and PSU.
* Reset CMOS.
* Checked whether all power cables (to CPU, fans, etc) are properly seated.
* Used Flashback to update BIOS through USB port. LED indicated succesful flashback, but problem did not go away.
* I can’t currently swap the CPU because I don’t have another i7 in reach.



What prior problems did this PC have?
Last year I have had trouble with random, completely unpredictable reboots. These were fixed with a BIOS update. When trying to fix this problem I did a lot of stress tests on CPU and PSU, and they didn’t even break a sweat.



What PC is this?
~2 year old custom build
Mainboard: ASUS Maximus Gene VII
CPU: i7 4970k
GPU: MSI GTX970 4G
RAM: 16GB (2x8GB G. Skill Trident (will look up details when back home))
SSD: Samsung SSD
PSU: Be Quiet (Straight Power, 500W)
Noctua CPU fan and case fans (3x), connected to PWM


Please advise
My hunch is that the mainboard is broken, since I’ve had already problems with the board one year ago and back then ruled out CPU/PSU. But this is no proof, and the board was still receptive to flashback updates.

Does this look like a mainboard or a CPU problem? Is there a way to decide between the two possibilities without getting a replacement CPU? What could I still try to narrow down the problem?


And relatedly, in case I should buy another board, does it make sense to buy another board with the same CPU socket or are these considered old iron already?

[Chino]

Try testing your system outside the case on the motherboard cardboard box with the bare minimum.

[WhyDoesMyStuffB]

Chino wrote:
Try testing your system outside the case on the motherboard cardboard box with the bare minimum.

Thank you.

I put the motherboard on a cardboard box, disconnected everything except CPU, CPU fan, and PSU. Switched it on (with and without RAM, in different slots). No change - LED keeps saying '00' while CPU LED remains lit.

[Nate152]

Hello,

Code 00 in this situation is likely 1 of 3 things:

1) Faulty Motherboard
2) Faulty PSU
3) Blown CPU

Double check the 8 pin cpu power cable is secured, since you're not doing any overclocking I will lean towards one of the first two.

[WhyDoesMyStuffB]

Nate152 wrote:
Hello,

Code 00 in this situation is likely 1 of 3 things:

1) Faulty Motherboard
2) Faulty PSU
3) Blown CPU

Double check the 8 pin cpu power cable is secured, since you're not doing any overclocking I will lean towards one of the first two.

Unfortunately, the 8 pin cable was sitting tight and secure. Since I had problems with the mainboard earlier, and ruled out the PSU as error source, I will place the blame on the mainboard and see that I get a new/replacement one.



Thank you all very much for your help!

[Nate152]

You're welcome

Since the cpu light is on you should RMA the cpu too, this will save down time if by chance it is the cpu.

Give us an update when you get your replacements.

[chevell65]

Code 00 is what I see every time I boot up, it's normal good condition and has been for the last three years.

I'd suspect that your GPU needs to be pulled out, clean the contacts then reinsert card, reconnect power and reboot. If that doesn't work I'd try testing it with another power supply.

The random reboots were likely caused by a problem with the AI suite software and outdated Intel MEI drivers.

[Arne_Saknussemm]

00 is not normal good condition no...have seen it happen some times with peculiar CPUs but defo not normal

If you have swapped the PSU it is not going to be that either...unless...different PSU means different cables right? or same cables?

Did the CPU fan spin up out on the box?

GPU fan?

The BIOS flash...BIOS LED flash for over a minute?

This often comes down to board or CPU and both are equally likely IMO...sometimes however leaving the CPU out of the socket and no battery and no power connected to board over night has miraculously cured some cases...something I'd try before RMAing everything.

But I'd RMA the CPU at the same time as the board as Nate says...save on downtime and it's as likely...

[chevell65]

00 is not normal good condition no...have seen it happen some times with peculiar CPUs but defo not normal

If you have swapped the PSU it is not going to be that either...unless...different PSU means different cables right? or same cables?

Code 00 has been my normal for three years and I have zero crashes so trying to use this 00 code really doesn't mean a thing or it could just be a Devil's Canyon deal who knows. The point remains you can't diagnose these boards with that code and I did clearly state here "MY NORMAL".

The Op has clearly asked for "opinions" and that is exactly what he got from me. The likelihood of a CPU going dead are astronomical compared to a board or PSU failure and I've fixed more machines by simply reinstalling the GPU than I can count therefore my "opinion" is just as valuable as yours is.

The Op posted this: Dear users,
I am encountering an 00 error on my mainboard since a couple of days and have not managed to get it to successfully boot since. I am running out of things to try and so I would like to hear your opinion. < This means he would like to hear MY OPINION. That does not mean that you need to have a counter opinion to my own.

What’s the problem, briefly?
My computer’s screen remains black. All fans are spinning, at full speed (like they do briefly on startup). The CPU LED is on. Nothing else is happening; no image on screen, no power for my USB devices, etc. < This points to a possible PSU issue and since the Op is only using a 500 watt PSU it's even more likely.

[Arne_Saknussemm]

chevell65 wrote:
my "opinion" is just as valuable as yours is.

A common misconception...:D

OP has stated he has substituted PSU hence we're asking about cables and other things...