New/upgrade build not POSTing

[rh71]

Just put together a new build using some old components:

New:
i5-7600K CPU
ASRock Z170 PRO4S mobo
Cooler Master Hyper T4 cooler
2 x 8GB Patriot Viper 4 RAM

Co-existing with "old":
GTX 1060 GPU
Samsung 256GB SSD (with existing WIN10)
2 HDDs
Corsair 550W PSU

Issue:
After putting it all together (I've done builds a few times before but nothing recent), I power it on and it comes on for a few seconds, then powers itself off, then comes back on a second later. My monitor LED is blinking like there's no video feed at all (same as when PC is powered off). No POST beeps since I don't have a system speaker.

- This ASRock mobo supposedly doesn't have support for Kaby Lake and I'm supposed to update the BIOS for it to support it. But I can't get there, no video at all. Am I supposed to have a USB stick on boot? No BIOS-file update on their website to do this. And I'm pretty sure the no-video issue takes precedence.

- I've tried clearing CMOS. I've tried removing 1 stick of RAM (dual channel issue?) to no avail. With 2 sticks of RAM, I've put them in the slots as directed by the manual (A2 and B2). Same no video issue, and every time I start it back up after a change to hardware, it powers on for a few secs, turns off, then right back on it's own.

- I've tried plugging my monitor's HDMI cable into the mobo's onboard HDMI plug instead of the GTX 1060 (removed altogether). Same no video issue. I've re-seated and I know the GTX 1060 is powering up since its fan is spinning up. I made sure to plug in the supplemental PCI-E cable to it (tried 2 different ones) as well.

- I also suspected it doesn't like that I'm using an SSD that has WIN10 on it registered to my previous mobo (Gigabit), so I unplugged the SSD altogether, same no video issue. I am ready to re-load WIN10 on the SSD if I can get there.

- I also referred to the troubleshooting here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems and the only thing I didn't check for are bent pins on the mobo (would have to undo the large cooler and clean paste, etc.).

Where do I go from here?

 

[UsandThem]

Issue:
After putting it all together (I've done builds a few times before but nothing recent), I power it on and it comes on for a few seconds, then powers itself off, then comes back on a second later. My monitor LED is blinking like there's no video feed at all (same as when PC is powered off). No POST beeps since I don't have a system speaker.

- This ASRock mobo supposedly doesn't have support for Kaby Lake and I'm supposed to update the BIOS for it to support it. But I can't get there, no video at all. Am I supposed to have a USB stick on boot? No BIOS-file update on their website to do this. And I'm pretty sure the no-video issue takes precedence.

You need to install a Skylake CPU in order to update the BIOS. That's why your system is starting and powering off. Right now, it is an unsupported CPU until you update. It looks like they added the Kaby Lake BIOS update in December.

Where do I go from here?

The only way to fix the problem is to install a Skylake CPU to update the BIOS. Some local shops probably would do it if you don't know anybody who would let you borrow one to flash your BIOS. Or you could order a z270 motherboard which supports the new Kaby Lake CPUs out of the box.

 

[rh71]

^ gah I knew that would come back to bite me in the ass. I tried to research that beforehand and no information was available on how to update their BIOS to support Kaby Lake - so I just assumed I could at least get it to POST into UEFI to do it.

Is there no way to get it to do it through DOS either? http://www.asrock.com/support/BIOSUI.asp?cat=DOS8

Is the Z270 Pro4 a similar board?

Thanks for the info.

 

[UsandThem]

^ gah I knew that would come back to bite me in the ass. I tried to research that beforehand and no information was available on how to update their BIOS to support Kaby Lake - so I just assumed I could at least get it to POST into UEFI to do it. Thanks for the info.

Is the Z270 Pro4 a similar board?

Unfortunately, when you have an unsupported CPU, the system won't even post. There are a couple motherboards, high-end models that allow you to update the BIOS without having a supported CPU installed. However, 99% of the motherboards out there do not have that feature. Asus calls the feature "USB BIOS Flashback", and it is a feature on some of their ROG motherboards ($$$).

It looks to be the same, except you get one more M.2 slot on the Z270 Pro4.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I didn't try installing my Kaby Lake G4560 into my Z170 Pro4S ATX, until after I had flashed it to BIOS 7.30.

However, UsandThem is most certainly correct, as I did end up accidentally installing a Kaby Lake G4600 into one of my H110-based DeskMini rigs, and that's what I got: No POST, no video output.

After flashing the newest firmware it was fine. No bent pins. Just an incompatible UEFI.

 

[rh71]

I read some people actually had a new BIOS mailed to them. Looks easy enough to swap but maybe another week's time before it gets here since they are in TW? Waiting on their response.

Should've just paid more for a z270 chipset.

 

[daveybrat]

Can you still return the motherboard for a Z270 version?

 

[rh71]

Can you still return the motherboard for a Z270 version?

15% restocking fee from Newegg, but they're willing to expedite the new one.

Looks like ASRock support is pacific time so they have a US presence. Will see what they say about a new BIOS... I'd rather do that at this point since it appears to be a simple swap.