Question No Beep & Blank Screen

[rob1]

I have a new MPG Z490 Gaming Edge WiFi motherboard with an i7-10700K. Unfortunately, whatever I do the system doesn't boot. The screen stays blank and there are no beeps from the BIOS. Based on some googling it means

• the PSU has issues
• the CPU is bad
• the MB is bad

The PSU should be fine as I used it with a 7 gen (I think, can't read the label due to the thermal paste) Intel CPU and an NVidia GTX970. In this system I don't have a dedicated GPU installed so the power consumption should be less than in my older system. So that leaves me with the CPU or the MB. When I start the system the CPU fan and all other fans come on but as I said the system doesn't boot up. On the MB the CPU light comes up which according to the manual means the CPU is not recognized or is bad. According to some further googling, this MB should support the CPU i7-10700k. The CPU comes from a reputable resource (Amazon, purchased in December but laying around as I was waiting for the NVidia 3080). The MB comes from Newegg. I put all the thermopaste on the CPU that came with the CPU (not much) and after taking of the CPU fan it seems evenly distributed. Any input is appreciated.

 

[mikeymikec]

CPU: You used the words 'reputable' and 'Amazon' in the same sentence. I hope you mean that the item was dispatched and sold by Amazon?

Assuming that this PC has never booted successfully, and assuming you don't have a spare PSU to test, I'd consider getting the CPU out and check that the CPU socket's pins are unbent as well as no signs of scorch marks on the CPU's underside.

Also, try pulling the memory out and see if the board gives out beeps to say it has an issue with the RAM.

Having a spare PSU laying around, even a cheap one, isn't a bad idea for testing if you can afford it.

 

[ch33zw1z]

With no post no video, and no spare parts, you're really just trying to confirm if the board is alive.

Take your time!

1. Verify ALL power connections are accurate and secure. This symptom will be seen if either the ATX or CPU power is not in all the way. The CPU power is often the culprit in this scenario.

2. Next, remove all memory. You want the board to generate a post error, ensure there's a speaker installed to the correct header.

3. If still stuck, remove / inspect / properly reseat the cpu. You will want to get a flash light and maybe even a magnifying glass to get a good look at the CPU socket pins.

 

[mindless1]

Before anything else, switch PSU off (leave plugged into wall to keep earth ground), pull the battery for a moment or clear CMOS. Next unplug all non-essential components.

Is this built into a case already? If so, there's a certain case standoff that some motherboards will short out on but there's a hole in some cases to put one there, on the left side, 2nd up from the bottom (maybe 3rd up).

Regardless, rarely I'll come across a board where there's some PCB or solder crack and just laying the board out on a non-conductive surface (NOT the anti-static bag it came in which is often conductive) to try it can help.

Having it out also helps to visually confirm things like memory/etc fully seated in slots.

Lastly, a little late to think about for this build but ideally you want to receive all mandatory components within the merchant return window so you can test and if something is bad, it's faster to get a refund than to deal with a manufacturer RMA, even to just return everything if you're not sure which part is bad... it's a last resort and may incur a restocking fee but sometimes it's the best alternative if you don't have access to spare parts.

If all else fails, it's more likely the mobo than the CPU, assuming it was a new sealed box not a bare CPU from some 3rd party seller.

 

[rob1]

@mikeymikec Yes, the CPU was sold and shipped by Amazon. I also checked the "pins" and all looked fine. It also didn't work with just one or no RAM modules installed. It always showed the CPU light, i.e. the board couldn't see the CPU.

@ch33zw1z power connections were triple checked. I was not able to get the board to POST. I also reset the BIOS. CPU orientation and contact was checked multiple times.

@mindless1 I was a bit concerned that the case doesn't have standoffs. I have some standoffs that I could use but from what I saw I think there is still enough clearance without shorting anything.

Anyways, at the end I went to a local shop and bought a new MB (ASRock Z590 Steel Legend WiFi 6E). Using that MB everything works fine. The MSI board was already sent back to Newegg. Thanks for all the input. Very much appreciated.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Was this a forum test thread, kind of like a "secret shopper"?

 

[rob1]

@VirtualLarry Huh, not sure what you mean. It was an honest inquiry about a problem I had building a system.

 

[fralexandr]

nvm