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TRX40 GAMING XE motherboard dead? (Q-code A5, no longer POST, no display)

indigonights808
Level 7
Hi all, i'm pretty desperate for answers as I'm at my wits end trying to troubleshoot.

Motherboard: ROG STRIX TRX40 GAMING XE
CPU: 3970X Threadripper
RAM: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 3600 (32GB) x 4 sticks
GPU: ROG STRIX 3090 OC
BOOT SSD: m.2 NVMe Aorus (2TB)
PSU: CORSAIR ax1600i
OS: WINDOWS 10

I leave my computer running 24/7, and today I came back to it not responding to any peripherals or my monitors. The DRAM yellow LED had turned on and the motherboard LED display showed: MEMORY CODE: A5. Tried cold rebooting, but error persists and PC no longer POSTs. No matter what I do, I cannot get to the BIOS. No peripherals are detected. No monitors are being detected. All LED's, CPU fan, case fans, look to be running normal however. PC has been running fine for one year prior.

During this entire time troubleshooting, I did not hear any Beeping coming from the motherboard. I read that this could be a sign that my motherboard is dead, but I'm not sure. Unfortunately I lost my CPU cover for it so I am not even sure I can RMA it. I am hoping to get some advice from you guys to see what else I can try to get my system running again. How can I confirm that it is the motherboard that is causing the issue?

Troubleshooting I've done to get system to POST again:
I cleaned and reseated the RAM sticks - no change, yellow DRAM light on motherboard still on. Q-code continues to read: A5
I tried rebooting using each individual stick, one at a time. - no change
I tried to boot with no RAM installed to see if I would get a different error code or light - no change
Flashed Bios via USB stick - confirmed updated correctly, but no change
Cleared CMOS - no change.
Changed wall outlets - no change
Tested PSU - tested normal via self-test
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8 REPLIES 8

STARRAIN_ROG
Customer Service Agent
Hi indigonights808,
Have you tried one ram stick in each ram slot one by one?
Please also refer to the following links for RAM q-led and no display.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042678
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042632/
Thank you.

STARRAIN@ROG wrote:
Hi indigonights808,
Have you tried one ram stick in each ram slot one by one?
Please also refer to the following links for RAM q-led and no display.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042678
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042632/
Thank you.



Hi, yes I tried testing each one and i also tried different known working RAM.

I have a question, what kind of error code would I get if my GPU is the thing that is defective - would it show the same code or a different code? Because I do not get anything displaying on my monitors, I am wondering if that is a possibility.

BTW, I did an RMA and recieved a replacement board. I talked with a support rep and they told me my board was replaced because my original one could not be repaired.

The new board I received also gives me the same error code (A5) with yellow light....also now this motherboard's internal fans rattle - seems like poor quality control. So I am not sure what to do now. I am really frustrated.

STARRAIN_ROG
Customer Service Agent
Hi indigonights808,
The fans rattle you mentioned is cpu fan or chassis fan?
Please test with minimal components.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042632/#6
Also, if you have replaced the ram and the motherboard, the yellow dram q-code is still on, it also indicates the cpu error.
Have you checked or replaced other cpu?
Thank you.

I buy myself a new motherboard for every new year, to please myself and update my things, because new is always more pleasant to use than old))

STARRAIN@ROG wrote:
Hi indigonights808,
The fans rattle you mentioned is cpu fan or chassis fan?
Please test with minimal components.
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1042632/#6
Also, if you have replaced the ram and the motherboard, the yellow dram q-code is still on, it also indicates the cpu error.
Have you checked or replaced other cpu?
Thank you.


I think you are misunderstanding me. This motherboard has internal fans installed on it to cool its components. The fan is hitting the metal plate cover which causes it to rattle.

Noted on the cpu error. I have not tested the CPU again on the new motherboard. The CPU gets warm though so I am assuming it is getting power.
However, I had called Asus support and they told me the reason why my motherboard was replaced during the RMA process is because it could not be repaired. I am not sure of any other info because I did not get specific details on my RMA. Maybe this second motherboard is also defective?

STARRAIN_ROG
Customer Service Agent
Hi indigonights808,
For q-code A5, it might be caused by the peripherals. Please remove all peripherals and test with minimal components.
For internal fans rattle, could you please send RMA again for further examination?
May I the serial number and the RMA number after sent RMA via PM?
Thank you.

STARRAIN@ROG wrote:
Hi indigonights808,
For q-code A5, it might be caused by the peripherals. Please remove all peripherals and test with minimal components.
For internal fans rattle, could you please send RMA again for further examination?
May I the serial number and the RMA number after sent RMA via PM?
Thank you.


I fixed the fan rattling on the motherboard by loosening the metal cover, I think it was too tight.

Anyways, I have no peripherals attached to the motherboard. It still doesn't work. I'm not sure what else it could be. CPU's rarely fail and memory sticks are behaving strange with this new motherboard - when I press the on button on my PSU only one stick lights up (but only 2/3rds) , the other 4 don't even light up anymore. I have attached a link to pictures for reference. (https://imgur.com/a/oijdQrp). I'm also assuming the replacement motherboard I got is working fine...so i'm at loss at what could be wrong with my PC.

btw when I press the power button on my case, all 4 sticks light up correctly.

STARRAIN_ROG
Customer Service Agent
Hi indigonights808,
Although CPU rarely fail, if have tested one ram stick in each ram slot, tried different RAM, and tested with minimal components, the cause might be CPU.
If you don't have other CPU to cross check, please consider send the CPU for RMA.
Thank you.