No Post Q Code 10

[gunnerman1]

My rig:

ASUS Crosshair V Formula Z
AMD 8350
8 GB PNY Ram
1000 Silverstone Platinum PSU
2 x 660ti

Nearly ever since I built this rig about a year ago it would hang intermittently or fail to POST without a manual reset or two. After going SLI the symptoms got worse. Thinking my old 650W psu was probably not cutting it I upgraded my PSU.

Shortly after the problems got weird. I would have to do multiple bios resets and reboots to coax it into posting. At its worse it would post and give me CPU voltage warnings and CPU fan warnings; alerting me to a 4.5v vcore and no cpu fan (though there was one). After booting the vcore was back to the 1.3v...

I set everything to default which helped none. Today i went to turn on and had the same fight, got to bios loaded defaults and now it wont post at all. Just goes straight to Q Code 10.

Things I have tried:
Unplugged all peripherals and hardware except the CPU.
Tried different RAM in single stick config as well as different slots.
Cleared CMOS.

To me it seems like somehow the MB was setting high vcores at POST for some reason and it slowly cooked my cpu.

Either way looks like I need to RMA something, wondering what to RMA first CPU or MB as other similar posts have claimed a CPU issue but this sure feels like MB. Also I have second latest BIOS installed. Their site down, cant see what number.

Thanks.

[MeanMachine]

Hi gunnerman1 and Welcome to ROG 😄

Please list the exact specs for your DIMMs.
What cooling system are you using, and have you done any stress testing to evaluate temps?
Before an RMA, update and flash your Bios to 2101. Use the Flashback port on your IO panel. (nothing to loose). Don't forget to clear CMOS prior to flashing.

MM

[gunnerman1]

Not sure exact DIMM spec. I know they are 4 gb modules by PNY with model 54C0MHHHJ-HS. Cooling I am using a rather large Thermalright air cooler. All temps were fine, never over 50 C. Did not do to much overclocking with this rig. Stable as a rock once she turned on, ran prime 95 all night, long long BF4 sessions, etc.

Used for nearly a year now before this happened. I will attempt bios update in AM.

Thanks

[gunnerman1]

Updated. No change.

[MeanMachine]

Hi gunnerman1
OK lets test your DIMMs, to eliminate that possibility.
Use Memtest86 + or swap out the DIMMs for another set.
Next test will be your PSU.

[gunnerman1]

Ok I am out of town now. Will swap out the DIMMs when I can and report back.

Note I did try a different PSU with the same results.

Thanks

[gunnerman1]

Ok,

Sorry for long update but finally made it back to test.

I took an 8 gb stick of Crucial out of my other PC and tried it in ram slot. At first it looked like same problem and then the PC just turned off on its own, which it does not normally do. I turned it back on and all of the lights seemed to go through the POST process like everything was working, too bad I did not have video cards installed. So I shut it down and tried to turn it back on to check if it was a fluke before I ran to town to get some ram, and it was... can not get to boot with other stick now either.

I tested the old sticks in my other PC and they do not work.

So not sure if i should go buy a couple sticks of ram in town and try those out or what at this point since it only sorta worked.

[MeanMachine]

Hi gunnerman1

Before you install new DIMMs you should clear your CMOS and set for D.O.C.P.
This way your bios will determine initial optimized parameters for CPU bus, ratio and memory.
Make sure the DIMMs you choose are compatible for your MB and listed on the ASUS QVL.

MM

[gunnerman1]

Not sure what DOCP is ?Anyway no way to set anything, wont get past Q code 10. CMOS was clear.

[MeanMachine]

Hi gunnerman1

Qcode 10 is "PEI core is started" which means Pre EFI initialization. This phase of post is looking for memory then passes on to the DXE environment. Once you have installed your new DIMMs and CMOS is clear, just have one DIMM installed in the A2 slot as per your manual page1.9 and make sure the module is seated properly, especially on the offside to the clip. You can add the other modules later.
Your system should then post.
You can go direct to Bios using the Direct key on the bottom of the MB, or using your keyboard delete key, off and on during post.

D.O.C.P is found in Bios in the Extreme Tweaker Menu. You have Auto, Manual and D.O.C.P. (page 3.6 in your user manual)

Please report back and good luck.

MM