ASUS Maximus VII Ranger | NO POST, Q Code 76, CPU_LED lit bright red

  • Hi there and welcome to PC Help Forum (PCHF), a more effective way to get the Tech Support you need!
    We have Experts in all areas of Tech, including Malware Removal, Crash Fixing and BSOD's , Microsoft Windows, Computer DIY and PC Hardware, Networking, Gaming, Tablets and iPads, General and Specific Software Support and so much more.

    Why not Click Here To Sign Up and start enjoying great FREE Tech Support.

    This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  • Hello everyone We want to personally apologize to everyone for the downtime that we've experienced. We are working to get everything back up as quickly as possible. Due to the issues we've had, your password will need to be reset. Please click the button that says "Forgot Your Password" and change it. We are working to have things back to normal. Emails are fixed and should now send properly. Thank you all for your patience. Thanks, PCHF Management
Status
Not open for further replies.
Flexy

Flexy

PCHF Member
Dec 23, 2017
1
0
26
Hello. I've got my PC a few days ago, it was sent to me from Europe where I used it without any issues for ~2 years. So I built it up 3-4 days ago and it was working perfectly. I needed to move it, so I shut it down, unplugged it, moved it, plugged it back (to the same cord, same power cable), but it didn't start. To be more specific, it didn't get to the BIOS "phase". The motherboard lit up, fans were working, I heard HDD starting (no beep tho), but the motherboard was displaying Q Code 76, no post. After few restarts, I shut it down, unplugged and plugged back the EATX cable and it booted up without any issues! However, after several hours of working on the computer, I had to move it again (cuz of the recent "inspection"), so I shut it down, unplugged everything, plugged it back in (still the same cord&cable) and it happened again. But this time, reconnecting EATX cable didn't help. To be even more specific, the startup process looks like: Start -> Q Code 00 -> Q Code 14 & CPU_LED lights up (bright red) -> Q Code 76, no post. And that was it. After a few hours of trying and rebuilding it from a scratch, I somehow made it work again! I restarted it several times and it was working perfectly. So I was working on the computer for about 10 hours, then I went to lay down, I shut it down, but my curiosity got me and I tried starting it and boom, it happened again. The same issue. I tried: Reconnecting everything, CMOS clearing, pulling CMOS out ( for about 20 seconds ) , unmounting the fan to check the CPU, rebuilding it, resetting BIOS.
I tried starting with just few parts to see how it will react.
CPU + FAN (24 PIN + EATX [4+4]) -> Same results (Q Code 76)
CPU + FAN + RAM Sticks (Tried both, just one stick and then both of them) -> Same results -||-
I tried both outside the case/inside the case. Unfortunately, I don't have any spare parts to test it. I've done all the outside-of-the-case tests on a cardboard box. All the standoffs are installed. I also taped some parts of my case with an electrical tape to make sure there is no direct contact of my motherboard with the case (you can see it in one of the pictures from a Dropbox folder I shared down below).
When I inspected the CPU, it looked fine, no spilled thermal paste or anything. I forgot to say that the CPU wasn't even removed from the motherboard when it was sent to me. It was safely covered, perfectIy cleaned from the thermal paste. I can tell for sure that every part was safely and professionally wrapped/covered, nothing was damaged. In Europe the voltage is 220V 50Hz I think? However, my PSU should work perfectly with American voltage which is 110V 60Hz I think? Do you guys have any ideas on finding the issue/fixing it? Please note that it worked for 24+ hours in total. I tried multiple things from different posts on the web. I greatly appreciate every response.
I'll list my components down below along with some photos and a video.
Thank you. Have a nice day.
Dropbox folder w/ some photos and a video:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b2tt4i3815va9zy/AADoWPjMzhxe1BPJqJm2YU6Wa?dl=0

CPU: Intel Core i7 4770k
GPU: MSI GTX 780 Ti
RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury 16GB (8+8) 1866Mhz DDR3 Black
FAN: Cooler Master V8 GTS
MOBO: ASUS MAXIMUS VII RANGER
PSU: Cooler Master M2 Silent Pro 1000w (Silver 80)
I don't think that listing my HDDs, SSD, DD, .. will help, as it didn't start with just CPU+FAN. Thanks one more time.
 
Welcome to PCHF Flexy,

Flexy said:
(Q Code 76)
Click to expand...
Rather like post error beeps the code is telling you that there is a problem with an item of hardware, not particularly helpful as it does not tell you what, atm I suspect the power good signal between the PSU and MB could be bad.

I wouldn`t trust the present PSU, it is old, out of warranty and not of the best brand or quality, we understand that you cannot just pull a good quality appropriately powered PSU out of thin air so would suggest that if you wish to continue with troubleshooting that you do so with the minimum amount of hardware attached.

What I suggest, remove the CMOS battery from the MB, with the MB out of the chassis and laid flat on a firm, flat even surface with a large piece of cardboard beneath it, attach only the following;

** The 24 pin EATX power connector, make sure that it clicks firmly in place, this the reason for flat even surface, a bit of downward pressure may be needed.

** As above for the 8 pin EATX 12V power supply.

One stick of RAM in DIMM slot A2 which is the second one away from the CPU.

The screen to the appropriate video port on the MB.

Keyboard & Mouse, best if you have the wired PS/2 type in case the problem is with the USB ports.

Make sure that the CPU cooling fan is on the correct header on the MB.

Replace the CMOS battery, attach the PSU to the mains power and turn it on. ** Make sure that the 24 pin & 8 pin EATX connections are snugly fit in the PSU and MB first.

Press the power on button on the MB then post back with an update for us.
 
Hi Flexy, Welcome to PCHF! :)

It definitely is possible that you are having a motherboard issue here and if following Phil's advice does not make any difference then you may be looking at having to replace the motherboard.

If you do have access to a spare power supply, I would see if swapping the power supply with another known good model allows the computer to boot up properly.
 
Any update for us Flexy? If unreplied to within 48hrs this thread will be closed.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom