R5E stuck at POST QCODE AF not booting

[sergio77]

Hi,
I'm having problems with my PC.
Until last month, everything worked normally. Then problems started, at several times after restarting Windows 8.1 the monitor began to show something like an interlaced mode, like every other vertical line is lost, even when entering the UEFI. I had to turn off the power from PC's power supply, and everything would return to normal. I tried replacing the video card, but the problem persists. I did not pay much attention because the problem was not frequent, I looked up the newer BIOS that would solve the problem.

Yesterday, as every day I tried to start PC and it stuck on the POST, I received only Q-Code AF and CPU_LED constantly illuminated.
I tried safety button repeatedly.
I tried clearing BIOS.
I tried removing battery from R5E.
I flashed the BIOS to version 1103 (and 1201). But there is still no solution.
I took off all components, check the socket, there were no bent pins. Re-signed all but still stuck on the POST with Q-Code AF.

PC specs
CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K @ 4.5GHz @ Cooler Master Nepton 280L (Noctua NF-A14 instead original CM's JetFlos)
MB: Asus Rampage V Extreme (FSB 125MHz, Core x36, Cache x36, CPU Core Voltage 1.20938V, CPU Cache Voltage 1.33125V, CPU Input Voltage 1.88V, DRAM Voltage 1.350V)
RAM: Kingston HyperX Predator DDR4 @ 3000MHz
PS: Cooler Master V1200 Platinum
SSD: Samsung 850 Pro x 4 (RAID 0)
SSD: Samsung 840 Evo 500GB
GC: Asus Strix GTX980
MON: Asus VX279Q (DP, I tried using HDMI but nothing)

P.S. I had every single board from Rampage Extreme series, and something like this never happened.

[MeanMachine]

Hi sergio77 and seems you have tested most things, except the CPU and monitor.

Try first with a different monitor, to eliminate that possibility.
From your specs you have changed CPUs. Is the i7-4930 still serviceable? Try swapping back.
If that works its your 5930k processor. RMA it.
Not knowing your OCs at 4.5GHz and temps under load, I can't comment, but if temps have been high recently, the CPU may have degraded, as you have cleared CMOS and defaulted to stock frequency, and the problem still persists.

[sergio77]

MeanMachine,
I've tried different monitor.
My old PC had i7-4930K, anyway i7-4930K isn't compatible with LGA 2011-3 socket. I'm located in a small country called Serbia (Southern Europe), Intel Core i7-5930K and Asus Rampage V Extreme are exotic equipment in my country, for the purchase one of these components required my monthly salary.
CPU temps at 4.5GHz, under AIDA64 System Stability Test, were about 65°C-75°C, only 3-rd core had some spikes from time to time to 80-85°C. Asus R5E OC panel showed temps from 69°C - 73°C.

Still stuck on the POST with Q-Code AF, but OC panel shows CPU temp going up from 23°C (standby) to 29°C (Q-Code AF). I read on the forums that in these situations, the problem can be defective motherboard (does not provide enough processor voltage), or processor is faulty. So I need precise information on this error, is it i7-5930K or is it R5E.

Just to add I'm not the rookie overclocker, I've been doing it back from AMD and Intel CPUs 80386 in '90s...

[MeanMachine]

Hi sergio77
Sorry I was of no assistance and try as I may, I cannot find any definite answer to Qcode AF as all my manual says, it is a "Exit Boot Services event". Whatever that means and Googling around, finds nothing that you haven't already tried.

I do not doubt your competency and see you have tried everything that most would have tried. Your temps are ok too.

Are you saying you have no support capability to RMA in your country?
If you have any local support, I would have the CPU tested first, being easier to mail or exchange and shorter RMA time.
Reason being, the CPU_LED lights up.

Maybe someone will come on, who knows your specific problem and I hope you get it resolved soon.

[Chino]

sergio77 wrote:
Hi,
I'm having problems with my PC.
Until last month, everything worked normally. Then problems started, at several times after restarting Windows 8.1 the monitor began to show something like an interlaced mode, like every other vertical line is lost, even when entering the UEFI. I had to turn off the power from PC's power supply, and everything would return to normal. I tried replacing the video card, but the problem persists. I did not pay much attention because the problem was not frequent, I looked up the newer BIOS that would solve the problem.

Yesterday, as every day I tried to start PC and it stuck on the POST, I received only Q-Code AF and CPU_LED constantly illuminated.
I tried safety button repeatedly.
I tried clearing BIOS.
I tried removing battery from R5E.
I flashed the BIOS to version 1103 (and 1201). But there is still no solution.
I took off all components, check the socket, there were no bent pins. Re-signed all but still stuck on the POST with Q-Code AF.

PC specs
CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K @ 4.5GHz @ Cooler Master Nepton 280L (Noctua NF-A14 instead original CM's JetFlos)
MB: Asus Rampage V Extreme (FSB 125MHz, Core x36, Cache x36, CPU Core Voltage 1.20938V, CPU Cache Voltage 1.33125V, CPU Input Voltage 1.88V, DRAM Voltage 1.350V)
RAM: Kingston HyperX Predator DDR4 @ 3000MHz
PS: Cooler Master V1200 Platinum
SSD: Samsung 850 Pro x 4 (RAID 0)
SSD: Samsung 840 Evo 500GB
GC: Asus Strix GTX980
MON: Asus VX279Q (DP, I tried using HDMI but nothing)

P.S. I had every single board from Rampage Extreme series, and something like this never happened.

Have you tried switching to the second BIOS to see if your system will post?

[sergio77]

Chino wrote:
Have you tried switching to the second BIOS to see if your system will post?

Chino,
I've tried before flashing with new version of BIOS, and after flashing it with newer BIOS version.
I read in one of forums that someone had problems with Asus Formula series and error Q-Code AF, and that the cause of the problem was a faulty BIOS. He resolved it by using secondary BIOS.

[sergio77]

MeanMachine,
thanks for the support and effort.

[Chino]

At this point in the diagnostic process, you will need spare parts to pinpoint the cause. The CPU QLED indicates that the motherboard isn't picking up your CPU. So it's either the CPU or motherboard.

You have no other choice but to either borrow spare parts to test, take your system down to a computer store so they can test it for you or RMA both the CPU and motherboard.

[sergio77]

Chino wrote:
At this point in the diagnostic process, you will need spare parts to pinpoint the cause. The CPU QLED indicates that the motherboard isn't picking up your CPU. So it's either the CPU or motherboard.

You have no other choice but to either borrow spare parts to test, take your system down to a computer store so they can test it for you or RMA both the CPU and motherboard.

Chino,
I had already written what you concluded, it's CPU or R5E. But I was hoping that someone can help you with accurate information.

[sergio77]

Thank you both for support and assistance.

I've decided to send motherboard and processor to the seller for testing.