Question Gigabyte Z790 is showing yellow CPU Status LED

[lonb]

Finished building a new systems this morning, the exact components are listed here. When I power on the machine, the power on looks good (fans spin, video card LEDs light up, however, the motherboard (Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite AX) gives a solid amber on the CPU status LED. In addition, there is no video output on the monitor either from the mobo on-board HDMI output or from the video card HDMI.

I read on various forums that it could be the memory, so I tried going down to one DIMM (in slot B1), but no change. I then read that it could be a compatibility problem and found out that this exactly variant (G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64gb (2 x 32gb) DDR5-6400 CL32 is not listed on the mobo's compatibility list. I also found out that the M.2 SSD I bought is not explicitly listed (I have the WDS100T2X0E, however the WDS100T1X0E is listed as supported). I have emailed Gigabyte but their response was not super helpful other than to replace the parts: "Technically it should work, but since it is not on the list, it has not been tested and verified.[...]But if it is not an exact match, then it has not been tested, so it is not guaranteed to work"

Any other ideas on what to try? Before I buy and replace the ram and drive? Also, would the wrong drive give this status indicator?

Pic below of the status led. I appreciate your input!

 

[lonb]

Does anyone have a more through explanation of the CPU status LED, what exactly does a yellow on that LED mean? If the SSD is not-compatible would that alone cause the yellow CPU status? Same question for the RAM, would that cause a yellow CPU status LED?

 

[Tech Junky]

The decoder ring should be in the manual.

 

[lonb]

The decoder ring should be in the manual.

Thank you @Tech Junky, I have checked the manual unfortunately it doesn't say anything useful. It's on page 20 here, in case you see something I don't.

 

[Tech Junky]

One thing comes to mind is the CPU fan.

 

[lonb]

One thing comes to mind is the CPU fan.

This is my first time installing a CPU fan, can you give a bit more guidance? The CPU fans are spinning. What else should I look at or how?

 

[Tech Junky]

CPU fans are spinning

Then that rules out my idea. Double check the CPU orientation to make sure it's fully seated. Then move onto ram. Or start with RAM and make sures it's fully seated and the latches click to hold it in. It might be a power issue as well. Any open power plugs for the CPU?

 

[lonb]

I've pulled out the CPU cooler, the SSD, and one of the DIMMs. The only things in there are the one DIMM (I believe in the correct slow, A2) and the CPU. I double checked that the RAM is clicked in and I removed the CPU and re-seated it. The mobo has two plugs for CPU: CPU_fan and CPU_opt. It says optional is not needed, and the CPU fan is still plugged into CPU_fan.

Everything is the same...

Oddly, I also noticed there are no beeps when I start it up. Isn't that strange? I tried plugging in headphones into line_out on the mobo and headphones on the connected front panel, but still didn't hear anything.

 

[Tech Junky]

Isn't that strange?

Modern mobo don't have the tiny speaker on them like in the past.

For some reason most mobo have B1/2 as the primary RAM slots.

It could be the UEFI but, maybe try updating it and see if anything changes.

Worst case scenario you need to swap the CPU.

 

[BoomerD]

Then that rules out my idea. Double check the CPU orientation to make sure it's fully seated. Then move onto ram. Or start with RAM and make sures it's fully seated and the latches click to hold it in. It might be a power issue as well. Any open power plugs for the CPU?

I've pulled out the CPU cooler, the SSD, and one of the DIMMs. The only things in there are the one DIMM (I believe in the correct slow, A2) and the CPU. I double checked that the RAM is clicked in and I removed the CPU and re-seated it. The mobo has two plugs for CPU: CPU_fan and CPU_opt. It says optional is not needed, and the CPU fan is still plugged into CPU_fan.

Everything is the same...

Oddly, I also noticed there are no beeps when I start it up. Isn't that strange? I tried plugging in headphones into line_out on the mobo and headphones on the connected front panel, but still didn't hear anything.

I suspect what Tech was asking about was the power connectors from the PSU to the motherboard. You should have the 24 pin ATX connector, and 2 8 (2x4) pin 12volt connectors.

 

[lonb]

I suspect what Tech was asking about was the power connectors from the PSU to the motherboard. You should have the 24 pin ATX connector, and 2 8 (2x4) pin 12volt connectors.

Thank you @BoomerD that makes sense. The 24 pin looks connected correctly, and it powers up, so I assume that means it's ok? The 2 8-pin connectors are there, but vacant. Should I have something plugged in there? I have three PCIe plugs off the video card that go straight to the PSU, but right now I'm trying to boot without that card installed.

 

[BoomerD]

Thank you @BoomerD that makes sense. The 24 pin looks connected correctly, and it powers up, so I assume that means it's ok? The 2 8-pin connectors are there, but vacant. Should I have something plugged in there? I have three PCIe plugs off the video card that go straight to the PSU, but right now I'm trying to boot without that card installed.

Those 12 volt connectors are not PCI-e. The PCI-e cable plugs will be 6+2 pins, the EPS cable plugs will be 4+4.

I suspect if you connect AT LEAST one of those...your problem will be solved.

 

[lonb]

Those 12 volt connectors are not PCI-e. The PCI-e cable plugs will be 6+2 pins, the EPS cable plugs will be 4+4.

I suspect if you connect AT LEAST one of those...your problem will be solved.

@BoomerD You are a GOD amongst mere mortals. I have four separate customer support tickets open, this thread, and another thread on another forum, you are the one who solved it. Indeed, I did not realize I had to use those CPU cables, I plugged in both (this mobo has two), and voila! It is now working perfectly. So much heartache resolved in an instant.

THANK YOU.

I already have a first born, so I'll have to rename them to BoomerD.

 

[BoomerD]

Glad to have been some assistance. PLEASE, DO NOT saddle your kid (s) with such a name...you'll scar them for life. Just pay the invoice when it arrives.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Just pay the invoice when it arrives.

Yep.

 

[davidfc]

Hey there, I was upgrading my old PC.
The following are the parts that I bought. At least https://pcpartpicker.com/ says all parts are compatible.

The new PC is having trouble in booting. The monitor does not show BIOS.
I have tried many clues, removed Nivida Graph card, kept one DDR5 RAM, and only plugged in one CPU fan.
The 24-pin ATX connector and two 2X4-pin 12volt connectors are all connected to Z790 gaming X mother board.
I cannot figure out what the problem is.

Some guy on YouTube posted a video in trouble shooting the booting problem. It turned out to be a CPU problem. But my CPU was a brand new purchased in one month.

I recorded a shorts video of PC booting.

Look forward to any suggestions.

 

[Tech Junky]

The monitor does not show BIOS.

Is it powered on? Plug in your TV to test.

 

[davidfc]

Is it powered on? Plug in your TV to test.

Actually a monitor was connected to the Z790 Gaming X board via HDMI port. It was a black screen all the time.

 

[In2Photos]

Actually a monitor was connected to the Z790 Gaming X board via HDMI port. It was a black screen all the time.

You have a 12700KF. The F denotes no video on the CPU. You need a dedicated graphics card.

 

[davidfc]

You have a 12700KF. The F denotes no video on the CPU. You need a dedicated graphics card.

You were right. I was curious why the Z790X board does not have VGA port.
The old windows OS is even booted on my SSD after adding the graphic card.
Saved me a ton of time. Thanks guys!