Hello!
I am currently experiencing issues with my build (assembled at the end of August) not booting up at all (no POST, nothing as of now). Here are my specs.
- i7-6700k (no overclock)
- Asus Maximus VIII Hero
- G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2800 (PC4 22400)
- Samsung evo 850 ssd (1TB)
- EVGA 970 SC 4GB
- Antec 750w Power Supply
- Windows 10
Here is my breakdown of when the issue started and the events that took place after-
Up until yesterday (12/29), the PC was running beautifully. I had been using for 3D modeling, as well as gaming and streaming, and put hundreds of hours of use into it with no issues.
Yesterday, while playing a game and streaming through OBS, I went to alt-tab out of the game, when the PC suddenly froze. I was not monitoring temps or loads at the time, but usually, streaming and gaming will max out, or at least come close to maxing out CPU usage.
I restarted the PC, only to find that it would not POST. I saw the Q Code 35 (CPU post memory initialization) and did a bit of research online. I attempted to test with 1 stick of memory at at time, but would get the same error. After clearning CMOS, and utilizing the MemOK! button, I was able to get the PC to run through each stick of RAM, which came up with a text screen indicating that the memory was okay.
I also removed the cooler, and the CPU, resetting both on the mobo, after inspecting for damage/bent pins. The Graphics card was removed as well during all testing to eliminate it as an issue.
Another attempt actually saw the computer POST, and I was able to get into the BIOS. All settings were at default, and CPU temps were normal. XMP was not enabled, and RAM was running at a slower speed than 2800. I would restart with default settings, as well as XMP enabled, and would not get the PC to fully load windows. I finally ended up putting all 4 sticks of RAM back in for whatever reason, but after doing so, and another reboot, I was actually able to get to the windows login screen. I chalked it up to RAM that was not seated properly.
Everything seemed back to normal, so after about 30 mins I decided to load up a game and test it out. After playing 1 match of the new Battlefront (roughly 20 mins maybe?), the game began loading the next level during the post-match stats screen, when the PC hard-froze again, bluescreening ('machine_check_exception' error, most freezes showed this, often not restarting on its own, as the blue screen states it will). Restarting, I getting back into windows, but the computer was freezing just after a few mins of being in the OS.
I attempted to run through the same troubleshooting process as before, but ended up back with q code 35.
At some point, when restarting, mobo was only showing Q-Code 00 (not used), and the CPU Q-led is fully lit (steady, not flashing).
Finally, I disassembled the entire rig, having only the Mobo on a bench, with the CPU, heatsink/fan, 1 stick of RAM (in single-stick slot configuration, as per the manual) and necessary power leads plugged in from the power supply to eliminate as many possible points-of-failure as possible (including shorting out on the case). Currently, I am still showing code 00, and Q-LED for the CPU fully lit.
I am at a loss at this point, and am leaning towards the CPU being damaged, or the mobo is faulty. Any insights or advice is greatly appreciated, I am currently trying to decide if I should RMA the mobo, CPU, RAM, or some combination of the three. I have not had to RMA any PC parts in the past, so information regarding this (time frames, costs, etc) would be greatly appreciated as well.
I apologize for such a long post, but I wanted to be as thorough as possible in my description of the issues and my troubleshooting.
Thank you.
