In Progress ASRock A520M Gaming - not booting to bios

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PeterGS

PCHF Member
Dec 13, 2024
19
0
Leeds UK
I have built a new PC on the A520M Phantom Gaming 4 motherboard, and it won't boot into bios - absolutely no dsiplay at all.

Not yet loaded windows as cannot get that far.

I switch on, press power button and lights come on, fans run but that is all.
I have no additional boards installed, and even removed the USB connections. I have tried both HDMI and DP video out.
Items installed are -
A520M Phantom Gaming 4 motherboard
500W GameMax RPG Rampage 80 Plus Bronze PSU
Kingston FURY Beast 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MT/s DDR4 Memory Kit (with both and one stick (slot A2 & B2 - or only B2 or B1)
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 6 Core/12 Thread AM4 CPU

I have tried removing the CMOS battery and replacing.
I've checked all voltages from power unit and all are correct, so I don't think its a voltage issue. Must be either M/B, cpu or ram. I suspect m/b.

I have suscessfullt previously built a few PCs (one last week using B550 Phantom Gaming4 MB) without problems.

Please point me where I am going wrong.
 
Let's address the dumb stuff first.

1) The PSU is getting power?
If plugged into a power board, plug it directly into the wall socket instead.

2) The GameMax brand is VERY low end, and being Bronze is worse, and should not be used in a gaming rig if that is what you were planning.
See here; https://cultists.network/140/psu-tier-list/ - they are rated Tier F - Replace Immediately.

3) The 24pin PSU cable is connected to the motherboard, and the 4pin/8pin extra CPU cables as well.

4) In case the motherboard stand-off legs are causing a short, assemble the mobo, PSU. CPU, memory outside the case, on a piece of cardboard on the kitchen table for example.

5) The memory is on the mobo QVL of compatible sticks?

6) The CPU is seated correctly, nothing bent. Any plastic covering removed and thermal paste applied?
 
Thanks for assistance Bruce.
1 - power to board is ok. As I said - I have checked voltages, and that the fans are running.
2 - at present since it is working, I'll stick with the power suppply and think about it later.
3 - Yes plugs are seated properly.
4 - M/b supports are nylon.
5 - memory are supposed to be compatible
6 - yes double checked that last night CPU ok.

I also forgot to say that I had a EVGA Geforce GTX970 installed originally then removed it to ensure it wasn't that causing problem- still no video. Despite the fact it had come straight out of a working pc the day before.
 
I have tried both HDMI and DP video out.
Items installed are -
A520M Phantom Gaming 4 motherboard
500W GameMax RPG Rampage 80 Plus Bronze PSU
Kingston FURY Beast 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MT/s DDR4 Memory Kit (with both and one stick (slot A2 & B2 - or only B2 or B1)
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 6 Core/12 Thread AM4 CPU

The MBs video ports will not work unless the CPU that is present has on die video, the Ryzen 5 5500 does not, you can confirm this for yourself here

Don`t live to regret what was sound advice from Bruce regarding how poor that PSU is, using figures provided by the maker I can tell you that they only claim an output of 480W and I wouldnt trust that figure either, the discrete GPU that you tried btw requires a minimum of a 500W PSU from a proven brand, GPU specs here

Kingston FURY Beast 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MT/s DDR4 Memory Kit (with both and one stick (slot A2 & B2 - or only B2 or B1)

The RAM is not on the MBs support list, RAM that is can be found here.

Couple of questions for you;

Do you have a keyboard hooked up, this is a must or POST will fail.

Is all hardware out of the box new.

What are you using for a screen, a dedicated PC screen or a TV.

Have you had any onscreen message at all, No Signal for example.

Suggest that while you are troubleshooting you stick with just having one stick of RAM and populating DIMM slot A2 which is the second slot away from the CPU.
 
An update for further information....

I am building two PC for my two grandsons - one already built and working and this one.

So I have just tried swapping the graphics card from the working one to this.
ASUS GeForce RTX 4060 Dual Evo OC 8GB GDDR6

But it still isn't working so that lets out the graphics side of the problems.

{and yes after putting it back, it works ok in the original pc}

I truely am baffled!
 
The MBs video ports will not work unless the CPU that is present has on die video, the Ryzen 5 5500 does not, you can confirm this for yourself here

Don`t live to regret what was sound advice from Bruce regarding how poor that PSU is, using figures provided by the maker I can tell you that they only claim an output of 480W and I wouldnt trust that figure either, the discrete GPU that you tried btw requires a minimum of a 500W PSU from a proven brand, GPU specs here



The RAM is not on the MBs support list, RAM that is can be found here.

Couple of questions for you;

Do you have a keyboard hooked up, this is a must or POST will fail.

Is all hardware out of the box new.

What are you using for a screen, a dedicated PC screen or a TV.

Have you had any onscreen message at all, No Signal for example.

Suggest that while you are troubleshooting you stick with just having one stick of RAM and populating DIMM slot A2 which is the second slot away from the CPU.
Appologies to Bruce, I was truely frustrated (still am) ..
phillpower2 --
I appreciate your (and Bruce's) comments about compatibility. When I bought them (except g/card) I was informed they were all compatible with each other.
In answer to your questions -
1 Yes keyboard and mouse connected.
2 All except g/card - new - graphics card worked previously - and works ok in the other pc I'm bulding (see previous post).
3 Screen is a monitor - in fact it is my own 2nd monitor
4 Yes the monitor is showing 'HDMI No signal' - or 'DP No signal' dependent upon which I am checking.
5 Just moved RAM to A2 as suggested, still no signal.

Peter
 
3 Screen is a monitor - in fact it is my own 2nd monitor

It being a PC screen simplifies things as no need to change any settings etc.

4 Yes the monitor is showing 'HDMI No signal' - or 'DP No signal' dependent upon which I am checking.

You getting a No Signal message normally means that the screen is okay and that the problem is with the source of the video or the cable that is carrying the video signal, this includes but is not exclusive to the PSU being too weak to support the hardware.

2 All except g/card - new -

Crunch time I`m afraid, are you aware that from new the MB needed a BIOS update before being able to recognise 5th gen Ryzen CPUs, version 1.10 is required whereas the boards originally shipped with version 1.0, this may have been done at the factory but because you are having issues the possibility needs to be considered.

What PSU is in the computer from which you borrowed the RTX 4060
 
The power unit on other pc is '650W Corsair RM650 Modular 80 Plus Gold'

Since I have tried both DP and HDMI - and the cables are the ones I used building the other pc - not likely to be them.

No I wasn't aware of BIOS update need.
 
The power unit on other pc is '650W Corsair RM650 Modular 80 Plus Gold'

Great PSU and should be swapped in for testing purposes.

As said it may have been done back at the factory but it is a consideration, if things don't change when you swap in the Corsair the possibility is greater.

Would suggest that you try swapping the RAM stick that is presently in slot A2, pur the present stick to one side and insert the second stick in slot A2.

Everything that we are doing here is a process of elimination and we may get to the point of trying a stick of RAM from the other PC, this because the present RAM is not on the MBs support list,
 
Great PSU and should be swapped in for testing purposes.

As said it may have been done back at the factory but it is a consideration, if things don't change when you swap in the Corsair the possibility is greater.

Would suggest that you try swapping the RAM stick that is presently in slot A2, pur the present stick to one side and insert the second stick in slot A2.

Everything that we are doing here is a process of elimination and we may get to the point of trying a stick of RAM from the other PC, this because the present RAM is not on the MBs support list,
I have (whilst looking for something else) found a pc speaker. I am getting 3 bleeps on power up.
Swapped the two RAM sticks - but still same problem and 3 bleeps.
The memory in the other pc is 'Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MT/s DDR4 Memory Kit' - is this compatible? {before I try it}
 
Three beeps could be RAM related problem is that includes the VRAM on the GPU, suggest that you stop beating about the bush and swap in the Corsair PSU asap.

Something for you to do first though.

Remove all RAM from the MB.

Make sure that the GPU is seated nice and secure.

Hook up the screen, keyboard and power cord.

Power up then post back to let us know how many error beeps you hear,

The memory in the other pc is 'Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MT/s DDR4 Memory Kit' - is this compatible? {before I try it}

Its not on the support list but it still may work

Can I ask that you do not quote every reply as we have to read the full post to make sure nothing gets missed,, thanks.
 
Thanks.

Can you now remove the add on GPU from the MB, insert one stick of RAM in A2, hook up the usual, power up, post back to let us know the number of error beeps.
 
Last thing that you can do now is try one stick of the Corsair in slot A2, other than that it is tome to swap in the Corsair PSU.

Just a fyi,the idea behind the testing that you have just done, had the beep pattern changed at all it would have pointed to either the GPU or the RAM and because the beep pattern does not change when there is RAM in the board it normally suggests that things are okay up until the GPU gets checked by the BIOS, a GPU problem as mentioned could be being caused by the weak PSU.

Calling it a day now but will check back in themorning UK time.
 
Thank you for your assistance so far.

I tried swapping the CPU and am wondering if I was giving false information.

There is still no display but the three bleeps now rapid sort of bleep-bleep-bleep.
Previously it was bleeeep ----- bleeeep ---- bleeeep, long beeps and not as rapid.
If you understand my meaning.

I didn't appreciate there was adifference until now.