9A Q LED Code M5F

[socialite]

Hello guys! I'm new to the forum and I apologize if this issue has already been resolved, but I searched the forum and found no definitive solution. This isn't my first rodeo, I've been doing this for about 12 years now and I have never encountered problems of this magnitude. I carefully selected components for my build, assembled everything and on power-up I get 9A Q code, with no post, and a quick restart. Upon checking the manual the error references USB initialization. I flashed the latest three BIOS editions to no avail. So I returned the board to Amazon for an exchange. Received new board same symptoms. What are the chances of two boards having the same exhibiting the same symptoms? I have cleared CMOS using button and by removing battery and disconnecting from wall power for over an hour. No pins are bent in the socket and all components have been removed except CPU and 1 stick of RAM, yet issue still exists. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME! I am going crazy! If I can't find a solution I plan on returning the board to get the M5E as I have yet to read of them having such issues..

[Chino]

Welcome to the Republic Of Gamers, socialite.

Can you please list your complete system specs and all the USB devices connected to it. Thanks.

[socialite]

System Specs are as follows:

CPU: 3770K
GPU: Visiontek HD 7970
RAM: Corsair Dominator 32 GB Kit (CMP32GX3M4X16000C10)
PSU: AX860
HDD: 2 x Corsair 90GB Force GT, 2 x 300GB Velociraptor, 1 x 1TB WD Caviar Black, 1 x WD 3TB Caviar Red

No USB devices were connected during initial boot...

[Chino]

1. Remove all your components and disconnect everything from the motherboard.
2. Take it out of the case and put it on the box that it came with.
3. Remove the battery.
4. Wait 5 minutes then insert the battery back in its place.
5. Install the CPU with the stock heatsink.
6. Install 1 stick of RAM into the DIMM_A2 slot.
7. Connect only the power cables (24 pin, 8 pin & 4pin).
8. Power on the motherboard using the Start button.

[socialite]

Done all of the above. I actually assembled it on the box initially but figured that it wasn't booting due to grounding (or lack there of) issues, so I then installed it in the chassis. It still just cycles up to 9A and then restarts. It will do this constantly if I don't stop it. It once hung for like a minute but with no POST message or anything., then it eventually restarted...

[Chino]

Did you connect a monitor/TV to the onboard video to see if anything shows up on the screen? Are any of the QLEDs lit?

[socialite]

Yes I connected both a displayport monitor and then to my TV. The QLEDs light all the way up to GPU but it hits the 9A and instantly restarts...

[Chino]

A couple of things to verify.

1. If you have the MPCIe card installed, remove it.

2. Make sure the Slow Mode switch is turned off.

3. The LN2 switch that's right above the 24 pin power connector has a jumper on it.

[socialite]

Yep , yep, and yep! I tell you I have researched for days if not weeks, and tried every single solution that was listed, even the one's I didn't understand could be problematic. USB initialization sounds to be more of a BIOS issue more than something that would be affected by components. What's really strange is that I have no components installed except the CPU and a single stick of RAM...

[Chino]

And I suppose you've tried using the USB BIOS Flashback method to update to the latest BIOS with this second board?