New PC not working (No signal detected on monitor)

[Vexed]

Hi all,

Ordered a new PC recently (the Minerva from PCSpecialist, spec link: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/systems/pc_specialist_minerva_system_review/1 ) and am trying to identify where the problem lies.
The monitor is also new but works fine when connected from my laptop (HDMI cable) so I've concluded the problem must lie with the PC.

I've tried re-seating the RAM and GPU but there has been no change.

Exactly what happens on the MAXIMUS VII Ranger motherboard @ boot:
- CPU LED goes red and QCode cycles through numbers/letters (lasts about 1sec)
- DRAM LED light is permanently red and QCode reads FE, lasts until power is turned off.
No monitor activity, the single BIOS beep does occur in power-up too.

Now I don't know a lot about the internal workings and haven't been able to google a lot of info about my issue. My question is really, what should the motherboard look like when functioning successfully, should the DRAM Light and QCode both be off?

Any suggestions about what I could try or identifying/where the problem might lie.

Thanks.

[MeanMachine]

Hi Vexed and Welcome to ROG

POST (power on self test) is the first thing that happens when you turn you system on. It will cycle checking system components and if something is amiss your Qcode read out will halt. and remain until rectified. This is the code we need to assess any fault, and you will not be able to access your Bios.

If all is ok it will hand over to your OS and that Qcode would be A0 or AA. This means the system has transitioned to ACPI mode. Your Qcode will stay lit at this position.
I don't have a listing for an FE Qcode. Are you positive this is correct? If it is FF, then there is a problem.

If your dram_led is lit and stays lit, then that would indicate a problem with your DIMMs.
If your cpu_led is lit and stays lit, then that would indicate a problem with your processor.

Try starting your system with just one stick of ram, and try switching them into different slots and seated properly.
Please fill out your system specs in your profile, your Bios revision also, and report back please.

If indeed it is an FF Qcode it can be one of many things, and a more drastic procedure will have to be undertaken.

MM

[Vexed]

I can confirm 100% that the QCode reads FE, which is odd as it says in the manual 'Reserved for further use'

The dram LED is lit and stays lit, I've tried reseating the RAM singularly and in various combinations already.

I'm afraid I do not know what a BIOS Revision is, this my first foray inside a PC. Its a brand new system if that helps.

System Specs updated on profile.

[MeanMachine]

Vexed wrote:


The dram LED is lit and stays lit, I've tried reseating the RAM singularly and in various combinations already.

I'm afraid I do not know what a BIOS Revision is, this my first foray inside a PC. Its a brand new system if that helps.

Ok well Qcode FE is not documented, so cant help there.

Sometimes a Bios update is all that is required, You can try to flash your Bios to latest, nothing to loose, obtainable from ASUS Support.

If that don't fix it then as Puffnstuff states, It could be bent pins in the CPU socket.

[dekk1948]

also if am not mistaken you have to put your ram in specific slots . not a1 b1 (with 2 sticks of memory). can I suggest first check which slots your memory is in and if that fails its a bios update ok...also make sure that your graffics card has the right power plugs connected..i have seen your problem before and some sites have pointed out that people have forgot to apply 4/8 pin power supply to cpu which will give the same diagnotiscs your getting

[KillerMursu]

I had same problem and wasnt sure what was the problem but I got signal after I shut it down after first start up and then I started it again and held del button down on start up until it came to a BIOS. my motherboard was VII Formula

[Puffnstuff]

FB-FF are reserved for future AMI errors so there is no assigned value for it. Page 1-28 of the manual also states that the DRAM LED lights when memory isn't installed correctly so I'd make sure that the dimms are seated properly. If this is your first experience with single sided latches I can almost bet that you didn't seat them into the socket as the feel is completely different from double sided sockets when you press them in. You really have to press the singles in being sure to get the side without the latch down first to clear the notch on the side and then bring the latch side down and then work it down evenly until it completely seats. If that doesn't do it then remove the cpu and make sure that you didn't bend any of the pins because the area in the bios where your board is halting is right at the cpu check.