Major problem with Rampage IV Extreme PC! Please help?

[jrodefeld]

Hello everyone,

I've been having some major problems with my main computer, which is based on a Rampage IV Extreme motherboard. These are the specs of my computer:

Rampage IV Extreme motherboard
Intel Core i7 4930k
16gb G Skill memory
Geforce 980 GPU
500gb SSD, 2x 3tb HDD

I've been using a watercooling loop in this build and last week I noticed that one of the tubes had a crack in it and was leaking a little bit (I'm using Rigid Acrylic tubing). I never noticed any hardware problems and I've been using this PC nearly every day for the last two years.

So I disassembled my computer to fix the leaking piece of tubing. I worked on it for a couple of days, taking the time to clean everything. My build is pretty involved so it can take a while.

When I first put it back together, it seemed to work okay. I didn't look for any errors on the motherboard, but I was able to log into Windows and do some work for the better part of a day. I did notice a few Blue Screens of Death so I knew there was something amiss.

Eventually, my computer would no longer boot into Windows. During the ROG boot screen, the image would freeze and become pixelated and distorted. Then the screen would go black and it would restart or I'd have to restart manually.

I made a video of what was happening:

https://youtu.be/ZINVbupufaM

I then noticed that the motherboard was showing Debug Error 34 and that the red Boot Device LED was lighting up. Anyway, I carefully checked all connections and I seem to have cleared the error. The Boot Device LED no longer lights up and I don't get Error 34 anymore.

But I still can't log into Windows. I get stuck on the Boot Screen still. Exactly what I show on the YouTube video above is what keeps happening.

Any ideas of what could be causing this? Everything is fine in BIOS, temperatures are great (mid 20s Celcius for the CPU, motherboard and GPU) yet I can't get past the ROG boot screen.

By the way, I was very careful not to spill any coolant onto any components. Even when I had a leak, it was a VERY small leak that was away from the motherboard. A few drops would leak once in a while and I'd just mop it up with a paper towel. I doubt I damaged any components with the leak.

Any ideas on what could be causing this problem? I really need my computer to be working for a business I run, so any help you could give would be really appreciated.

[Nate152]

Hi jrodefeld,

It looks like a gpu problem to me, would you have a spare one to test with or can you try your 980 in another pc ?

[jrodefeld]

Nate152 wrote:
Hi jrodefeld,

It looks like a gpu problem to me, would you have a spare one to test with or can you try your 980 in another pc ?

I didn't think it was a GPU problem initially but I happen to have a cheap spare GPU for situations like this. I plugged it in, turned the 980 PCI slot to "OFF" and it allowed me to boot into Windows no problem.

I did actually replace the thermal paste on my 980 when I had taken my computer apart. I don't think that would have caused a problem? I used Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra, which is the same stuff I'm using on the CPU. I heard it's safe for GPUs?

Anyway, do you suppose the 980 is shot? I don't know how it could have happened though.

I guess I'll take out the 980, clean it and hope it starts working for me. Thanks for your suggestion.

[jrodefeld]

Any ideas?

I tried flashing the BIOS to an older version, but I get the same error. I switched to the other BIOS, same problem.

I don't have any errors on the motherboard anymore, but I really need to know what this error is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZINVbupufaM&feature=youtu.be

[Nate152]

You're welcome

It's hard to say if you caused the problem or it just went bad, sometimes it happens and you may have voided the warranty by replacing the thermal compound.

[Arne_Saknussemm]

That is an electrically conductive TIM....you would have to be super super careful in using it to avoid any excess creating shorts...not for the faint of heart...

[jrodefeld]

Maybe I wasn't careful enough with the thermal paste. I also had a problem with getting the waterblock off of the card. I had a stripped screw and had to force it a bit to get it off.

In any event, I've RMA'd it and I'm looking to get a replacement. EVGA has been great at replacing faulty boards in the past.

[jrodefeld]

Maybe I wasn't careful enough with the thermal paste. I also had a problem with getting the waterblock off of the card. I had a stripped screw and had to force it a bit to get it off.

In any event, I've RMA'd it and I'm looking to get a replacement. EVGA has been great at replacing faulty boards in the past.

[Nate152]

All right !

Give us an update when you receive your new gpu.