First Build Won't Boot - Yellow DRAM Light on ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi II

[HypersportHero]

I’m having trouble with my first PC build and need some help figuring out what’s wrong. When I try to power on the system, nothing happens except for the yellow light in the bottom left of the motherboard that turns on. No display, no fan movement, nothing. I've tried just about everything I could find, but It’s still not working. Here’s my setup and everything I’ve already tried:

Specs:

Motherboard: ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi II
CPU: Ryzen 5 5500
GPU:XFX Speedster SWFT 210 RX 6600
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3200MHz
PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 750W (Fully Modular)
Storage: Crucial P3 Plus 2TB NVMe SSD

The Issue:

The motherboard powers on, but the DRAM light stays lit (yellow/orange).
The fans (both case and CPU) aren’t spinning.
No signal to the monitor.

What I’ve Tried:
Reseated both RAM sticks multiple times and tested each one individually in slots A2 and B2.
Made sure ram was compatible
Cleared CMOS.
Checked all power supply connections on both ends
Switched to the other 8 pin cpu power connector (the cable splits into 2 ends)
Tried booting without GPU, Pcie expansion card, ssd
Reseated GPU multiple times
Checked for shorts on the motherboard

At this point I'm thinking that it has to be either a bios or RAM issue. Is there a possibility that bios flashback would fix the problem?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
(Here are some pics of the build in case that helps)

 

[eidairaman1]

Check the cpu for bent pins

 

[meatwar]

Is there a possibility that bios flashback would fix the problem?

I don't see support for this feature on this motherboard model, the Ryzen 5 5500 (Cezanne) (3.6GHz,45-65W,L3:16M,6C) is supported since initial release bios 0303,
the Ryzen 5 5500GT (Cezanne) (3.6GHz,45-65W,L3:16M,6C) since updated bios 2803, latest one is 3611.
You may need to try another ram module to debug the issue, if as mentioned before no issues with seated cpu.

 

[HypersportHero]

Check the cpu for bent pins

Forgot to mention, but I already checked and all the pins looked okay. I also bought the CPU new, but I know that doesn't always mean it's perfect

I don't see support for this feature on this motherboard model, the Ryzen 5 5500 (Cezanne) (3.6GHz,45-65W,L3:16M,6C) is supported since initial release bios 0303,
the Ryzen 5 5500GT (Cezanne) (3.6GHz,45-65W,L3:16M,6C) since updated bios 2803, latest one is 3611.
You may need to try another ram module to debug the issue, if as mentioned before no issues with seated cpu.

You are correct, bios flashback isn't actually available on my motherboard. So just to clarify, are you saying that my bios is fine (my motherboard should work fine with the 5500), and the ram is the issue? I have heard that people often have issues with Corsair ram on AMD, especially LPX. What ram would you recommend replacing it with?

 

[eidairaman1]

Forgot to mention, but I already checked and all the pins looked okay. I also bought the CPU new, but I know that doesn't always mean it's perfect


You are correct, bios flashback isn't actually available on my motherboard. So just to clarify, are you saying that my bios is fine (my motherboard should work fine with the 5500), and the ram is the issue? I have heard that people often have issues with Corsair ram on AMD, especially LPX. What ram would you recommend replacing it with?

Crucial, Mushkin, Team, Geil, Patriot, Gskill

You might need to go to a shop to test with another cpu/ram so you arent buying parts right then.

 

[meatwar]

Yes, i had issues with Corsair DDR4/5 in the past on costumer new builds using Intel or AMD, for stability and compatibility i always choose Kingston, Crucial or Gskill.
Depends on the mb model and bios on the time of the build, i had no issues in last 3 AMD builds, using Gigabyte X670 7800X3D / B650 7600, MSI X670E 9950, these were all Corsair modules.

 

[HypersportHero]

So how would this option be? Is there something that might work better?
https://a.co/d/13COYAc

 

[DirtyDingusMcgee]

I've seen lots of bad ram. Lots and lots of every kind...plenty of corsair.

These day it is most common that the ram will just be flaky. It won't run right or play nice with the system. It is rare that bad memory keeps the fans from spinning or the diag lights from coming on at all. i worry something isnt plugged in right or is physically damaged (and I don't exactly love cheap Asus boards). What the heck is that thing that is plugged in on the back of your power supply? Better pictures please. Several of these pictures mean nothing. Lets see everything plugged into psu. a good shot of the psu and a good shot of the 8 pin cpu power. It is a very common (and understandable) mistake to not have it seated well or use the wrong cable.

Also you are gonna want to put some intake fans on the bottom.

.
pics of whatever is plugged into whatever that is... fan controller? Then pics of the bottom of that power supply. Then the 8 pin eps. Making sure that all power is seated properly. Front panel stuff looks ok. Memory looks seated, but it never hurts to check.

Seems unlikely to me that it is a bios issue. Again.... not impossible, but unlikely to keep the fans from spinning at all.

If it really is the memory, then yeah, its bad, and a different set of ram will answer that question, but I would make very sure that all the power is right before I started throwing parts at it.

If you can't get it to run, you'll need to pull everything out and test it out of the case.

 

[A Computer Guy]

Some questions:

• Sometimes the initial boot takes awhile to detect CPU and do memory training. How long are you waiting after power on? Give it like 10 minutes worst case scenario.
• You are plugging your monitor into the GPU correct? (the motherboard display connectors will not work with that CPU)
• Are you connecting with HDMI or DisplayPort?
• What monitor are you using? Can you try a different monitor?
• If you have a freesync monitor try turning off freesync in the OSD menu or put it into basic mode.
• On the back of your RAM sticks is the model number. Can you post a picture of the model number for your RAM?

Other thoughts:

• For your first POST disconnect any cables and remove any parts you don't absolutely need that allows you to enter UEFI/BIOS (Obviously you need CPU, RAM, power connectors motherboard and CPU, GPU + PCIe power, monitor cable, USB keyboard and mouse)
• Sometimes I've seen AMD GPU's not liking to display POST on some ports for the monitor. Try using a different monitor port from your GPU and only 1 monitor connected. Hopefully your monitor supports displayport and HDMI and you have both cables to test with that are good quality cables. Having a different freesync compatible monitor to try may also be helpful.
• That LPX ram is branded only for Intel (on the box). Not that it shouldn't work, but my experience with a few kits only branded for Intel is that the PC should POST but often has problems after applying XMP and minor timing adjustment may need to be applied for XMP to work properly. I'm pretty sure AMD & Intel branded boxed kits existed at one point and if I had to go with Corsair I would using a AMD branded box set. The only Intel branded LPX that I had a chance to work with that didn't have this problem was DDR4-3600 model number CMK32GX4M2D3600C18 which worked perfectly but because of how Corsair may switch parts without changing the model number YMMV.
• I would try a different RAM kit anyway as Corsair DDR4 and AMD Ryzen has often enough had lots of problems I suspect because they were Intel XMP optimized kits before Ryzen came on the scene and AMD UEFI/BIOS didn't cope well with those until the UEFI/BIOS had a lot of time to mature with memory compatibility updates and better IMC's. Still AMD Ryzen + Corsair DDR4 often has compatibility grumblings on forums across the internet although I was able to get all of my kits working eventually without an issue.
• If you do finally get the PC to POST be sure to run Passmark memtest86 (free) for at least an initial check your memory isn't having errors both before and after applying XMP (aka: the memory profile).

 

[OolongGoat]

It seems like a not so common practice anymore, but do you have a speaker plugged into the motherboard to listen for beep codes?? Sometimes the case comes with it.

It could definitely also be it takes a moment to get to that first POST. It’s been awhile but I remember some motherboards took 5 or so minutes to do their check before they turn on. You might see the fans ever so slightly move.

 

[KrazyT]

Do you have access to the bios ?

 

[VuurVOS]

The Issue:
The motherboard powers on, but the DRAM light stays lit (yellow/orange).
The fans (both case and CPU) aren’t spinning.
No signal to the monitor.

What did you connect to the COM (Nr 13) ? It looks like Panel is written on the connector.
That shouldn't be there. You need to connect the power/reset button/leds to F_Panel (Nr 17).

 

[Waldorf]

@HypersportHero
trouble with corsair is usually with the vengeance/rgb line, not the LPX, and more about varying specced dies sold as the same (model) kit,
or not able to run at AMP/XMP level, not with stock settings.

did you try bios reset with the jumper?
did you try shorting the 2 pins on the board that are wired to the case button, to see if it powers up?

 

[Lost_Troll]

Your IO shield is shorting the onboard HDMI connector, and I would fix this and see if fixes your issue. You might want to try the motherboard out of the system to see if it will post as well.

Alos check to see if there are any standoffs in the wrong place that hold the motherboard down.

 

[Hereticbar]

What did you connect to the COM (Nr 13) ? It looks like Panel is written on the connector.
That shouldn't be there. You need to connect the power/reset button/leds to F_Panel (Nr 17).

You might have just solved the mystery!

Those two have the same pin layout and most Lian Li cases' front panel connector looks like this so it will definitely fit even though it is the wrong place to plug it in.

If this is the case then obviously the system will not power up because the power switch is basically doing nothing.

 

[VuurVOS]

@Lost_Troll Very sharp! Didn't see that!

You might have just solved the mystery!

Those two have the same pin layout and most Lian Li cases' front panel connector looks like this so it will definitely fit even though it is the wrong place to plug it in.

If this is the case then obviously the system will not power up because the power switch is basically doing nothing.

View attachment 390062

Please also fix the issue reported by Lost_Troll. To fix that, you need to remove the motherboard from the system and bent the metal pieces away from the hdmi opening before putting the motherboard back.

 

[DirtyDingusMcgee]

@VuurVOS and @Lost_Troll are absolutely correct. I didn't look close enough. The front panel is absolutely in the wrong spot.

 

[eidairaman1]

Do you have access to the bios ?

Holy cow, he can't get it to post.

 

[HypersportHero]

Check the cpu for bent pins

I don't see support for this feature on this motherboard model, the Ryzen 5 5500 (Cezanne) (3.6GHz,45-65W,L3:16M,6C) is supported since initial release bios 0303,
the Ryzen 5 5500GT (Cezanne) (3.6GHz,45-65W,L3:16M,6C) since updated bios 2803, latest one is 3611.
You may need to try another ram module to debug the issue, if as mentioned before no issues with seated cpu.

@VuurVOS and @Lost_Troll are absolutely correct. I didn't look close enough. The front panel is absolutely in the wrong spot.

View attachment 390098

@Lost_Troll Very sharp! Didn't see that!


Please also fix the issue reported by Lost_Troll. To fix that, you need to remove the motherboard from the system and bent the metal pieces away from the hdmi opening before putting the motherboard back.

You might have just solved the mystery!

Those two have the same pin layout and most Lian Li cases' front panel connector looks like this so it will definitely fit even though it is the wrong place to plug it in.

If this is the case then obviously the system will not power up because the power switch is basically doing nothing.

View attachment 390062

Your IO shield is shorting the onboard HDMI connector, and I would fix this and see if fixes your issue. You might want to try the motherboard out of the system to see if it will post as well.

View attachment 390053

Alos check to see if there are any standoffs in the wrong place that hold the motherboard down.

View attachment 390047
What did you connect to the COM (Nr 13) ? It looks like Panel is written on the connector.
That shouldn't be there. You need to connect the power/reset button/leds to F_Panel (Nr 17).
View attachment 390048

Thank you so much to everybody who helped me in this thread. After fixing the problem with the io sheild and plugging the front panel io into the correct connector, I finally got the system to boot. It turns out that the problem really was just pure user error, but now the system is working great thanks for the help!

 

[DirtyDingusMcgee]

Way to go. Dude, don't sweat it. I won't even admit to how many times i have screwed up front panels.

Clean rig for a first timer. Well done.

What game is first on the list?

 

[Countryside]

Typical first build problem, front panel connector. Congrats on your first build!

 

[HypersportHero]

Way to go. Dude, don't sweat it. I won't even admit to how many times i have screwed up front panels.

Clean rig for a first timer. Well done.

What game is first on the list?

Thank you. I'm probably gonna test it out with some marvel rivals, but eventually this build is actually going to be for my grandma

 

[BlueBee]

Thank you. I'm probably gonna test it out with some marvel rivals, but eventually this build is actually going to be for my grandma

Top man looking after the gran and well done on the build, I`d imagine you cursed quite a few times

 

[HypersportHero]

Top man looking after the gran and well done on the build, I`d imagine you cursed quite a few times

But now it's all done, and that's all that matters.

(Don't worry, this isn't the final setup)

 

[HypersportHero]

But now it's all done, and that's all that matters.View attachment 390222
(Don't worry, this isn't the final setup)

Here are some more pics if anyone is still watching this thread