[SOLVED] No display on monitor. Motherboard's Debug LED indicates failure with CPU.

[Deep Thunder]

Hey guys. After 2 months of using my first ever built PC with no issues, I could really appreciate some help figuring out this new hardware issue. The PC turns on. But there is no display. So I can't debug via BIOS. Now hold on and read a little further before jumping to conclusions.

EDIT: Huge post, sorry about that. Just trying to give as much information as possible.

TL;DR: Basically, while I was using my PC, it froze. Couldn't alt+tab, nor Ctrl+Shift+Escape. So, I turn off the computer. I try turning it back on. I hear the normal "booting noises." Nothing appears on my TV (connected via HDMI, using the GPU's port). Not even a black screen.

I open the case. I observe the motherboard, and I discover the my motherboard's "EZ Debug" LED is lit up; namely, the CPU LED light.

According to my motherboard's manual, this "indicates CPU is not detected or fail.". There is nothing beyond that. I still do not know for sure if the problem is entirely the CPU.

My case fans run. The CPU fan runs. The GPU fans do NOT run. There is no display.

Here are my PC specs:

CPU: i5-6500
GPU: GTX 1060 3GB
RAM: 8GB
Mobo: msi's H110M PRO-VD PLUS
Cooler: Stock i5
Monitor: 10+ years old 1680x1050 TV, connected via HDMI (upgrading one day)

Now, a couple of important things I want to point out. One, this has happened yesterday (at the time of typing this). It froze randomly, and the CPU Debug LED lit up. Computer would turn on, but no display. So how did I fix it? Literally did nothing, for 8 hours. I decided to sleep on the issue. After I woke up, I pressed the power button and it magically worked. Loaded straight to Windows. Why? I don't know. But I really don't want the solution to be waiting every 8 hours. This entire issue occured again for a second time, hours before this post.

Secondly, my PC has been sitting in the same spot for 2 months. It sits there and I don't move it. So I've checked if there were any loose cables somehow. But I could find none. I even unplugged all cables and plugged everything back in. Turned on the PC after such an action, and nothing. Oh, and I even took the power supply to a whole new outlet. Just to be on the safeside.

Thirdly, I really didn't change anything in the BIOS. Just a couple of display optimizations from within the OS, to get it display right on my years old 1680 x 1050 TV. So, no overclocking (my CPU is locked anyway). I'm still researching whether or not I should reset the BIOS using the CMOS jumper. I don't want to potentially cause more issues.

Fourthly, my motherboard does not have an HDMI port. Only VGA and DVI. I do not, however, have any VGA or DVI cables to test my motherboard's on-board graphics. I could very well go out and buy some cables, but I haven't gotten around to that yet. I'm feeling lazy, and who knows; maybe the solution doesn't require going out of my way to buy some cables and use gas (expensive nowadays, yes?). I could certainly buy online but things aren't shipped to me instantly. The solution could be right there, you know?

Fifthly, I don't think CPU overheating is the problem. My CPU sits idle at 40-50 degrees. I've been playing Overwatch a lot recently, which escalates the temperature to 60 degrees celcius give or take. On the other hand, I have been doing CPU intensive work (map development in L4D2, fully compiling for optimization and lighting tests), but it really only shoots my CPU usage up to 100% for around 40 seconds. I haven't observed the temperature (and I really should have because the computer is louder than usual during this) during those processes, but despite the heavy load, it'll happen really only 15ish max times a week, or even much less than that.

Now with all of that being said, does anyone have any pointers? Solutions? I'd like to have some suggestions before taking everything out and isolating problems. It took me a while to figure out how to put it all together (3 hours, it was my first time, took every safety precaution possible) so I'd rather not waste my time removing parts and isolating potentially irrelevent variables. All suggestions will definitely help speed up this seemingly nightmarish long troubleshooting process.

In the meantime, I am doing my research on Google (and fiddling with my PC here and there), but most of these people with this similar problem basically had this problem right after they built their PC. And thus, solutions are usually along the lines of "check for loose cable this and this". As a result, I would like to think that my case is a little bit different, mainly because it's been working for a good chunk of time without any issues. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will respond ASAP.

[Omega]

Reseat the CPU, Clear the BIOS and update the BIOS. If that doesn't solve it you probably have a defective motherboard.

[Supafly]

Cpu Overheating is unlikely as it would cool down considerably faster than 8 hrs.
GPU fans don't start spinning until it reaches a certain temp, 50 or 60 degrees celcius. Use HWmonitor to keep track of GPU temps/fan speed. Tab out of or close game and look for max temp and fan speed. You should see that the fan does indeed spin when the GPU temp rises.

While it's working
Reset the Cmos - Jumpers or remove the battary for 5-10 seconds
Check your bios version > look for updated version on manufacturers site > Download Bios update > Check Instructions (different boards = Diff methods) > update Bios

Next time it isn't working
If you have access to another TV or monitor try connecting that to the onboard GPU.
Purchase another lead that will allow you to connect onboard GPU to your currect monitor.

[Deep Thunder]

Thanks for the tips you two. I have a new lead but I'll respond to your individual points first.

Omega eredeti hozzászólása:

Reseat the CPU, Clear the BIOS and update the BIOS.

I reseated the CPU, still same issue. I also checked for bent pins, all was fine.

I first tried to clear the BIOS by discharging the CMOS battery with a paperclip, because for some reason my motherboard did not come with a jumper cap. That didn't work, so I tried removing the battery for 30ish seconds and putting it back in. That didn't work either unfortunately. Could not get into the BIOS as a result.

Supafly eredeti hozzászólása:

While it's working
Reset the Cmos - Jumpers or remove the battary for 5-10 seconds
Check your bios version > look for updated version on manufacturers site > Download Bios update > Check Instructions (different boards = Diff methods) > update Bios

Before I received any responses, my PC decided to work again. I actually decided I probably needed to update the BIOS.
I went to the manufacturer's website, followed some instructions. I went into the BIOS and started the update off of a flashdrive. The BIOS told me "Please wait 5 seconds and don't turn off your computer, it will automatically restart". Surely, the PC shut off & "booted up", but again with the same issue, right after the boot. The CPU Debug LED lit up again and no display on monitor. After this, I had no luck of the PC wanting to magically work again.

Supafly eredeti hozzászólása:

Next time it isn't working
If you have access to another TV or monitor try connecting that to the onboard GPU.
Purchase another lead that will allow you to connect onboard GPU to your currect monitor.

I can verify that I plugged the HDMI into 2 separate + working TVs. The issue persisted nonetheless.


After a couple of more tests and variable isolation, I think it's actually my power supply (an EVGA 430w) not providing full power to the motherboard (or worst case scenario, was defective and damaged some motherboard components).

I honestly should have been more concerned about this one, but since day 1, the plug that plugs directly into the power supply felt a bit loose. It still doesn't feel like it's plugging in 100%. I'd say more like 90%.

To further add on to this, if you wiggle the plug around while it's in the port, it creates little static and sparking noises. Sometimes, if you move the plug or even the wire at a certain angle, the computer would shut off. For a while, I just assumed nothing bad would happen if the power supply was just sensitive.

Worst case scenario, my power supply was actually short circuiting some motherboard components during these incidents, despite the "power surge protection" marketing on the EVGA 430w.

As a result, I contacted Amazon, returned the item and received a full refund for the purchase.
I purchased a new PSU, namely a Corsair 450w. It's "gauranteed" to arrive by 3/25 and I'll keep you guys updated on the results. I'll probably end up having more questions after I test my PC with the new PSU. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it's not the motherboard that's the issue. And if anyone has any pointers until then, please do let me know.

[Kaihekoa]

Brand name isn't all that significant with PSUs because most have a large range of products from low-end to high-end. You need to make sure the actual model is of a good quality. Look for PSU reviews at a good tech site at jonnyguru.

[chiefputsilao✖️ping]

have you tried removing your gpu and making sure it has the correct power cable attachments from the PSU (4pin, 6pin, etc) ?

also, a good psu is a must. you will save in the long run. my personal choices are silverstone (500W, 600W) and seasonic (520W, 620W; S12II or M12II)

[Deep Thunder]

Kaihekoa eredeti hozzászólása:

Brand name isn't all that significant with PSUs because most have a large range of products from low-end to high-end. You need to make sure the actual model is of a good quality. Look for PSU reviews at a good tech site at jonnyguru.

Good to know this. I wanted a modular PSU anyway, though.

chiefputsi✖️ping eredeti hozzászólása:

have you tried removing your gpu and making sure it has the correct power cable attachments from the PSU (4pin, 6pin, etc) ?

also, a good psu is a must. you will save in the long run. my personal choices are silverstone (500W, 600W) and seasonic (520W, 620W; S12II or M12II)

I can confirm that the correct power cable attachments from the PSU were in place. The issue continued. I removed the GPU and turned on the PC. Nothing. I reseated the GPU. Nothing again. I will keep those recommendations in mind.

フル メタル アルケミス eredeti hozzászólása:

sometimes a bad computer case wont be grounded right and cause problems

Also good to know this. My case is unpainted metal and sits on an unpainted wooden desk. So I think I'm in the clear with that one.

[Deep Thunder]

I received the new power supply and tested it. I can confirm that the PSU was not the problem. No display and CPU LED continues to light up.

(On the brightside, this is a really nice PSU so I'm happy about that. The plug snaps in the socket this time.)

Also, I tried booting with 1 stick of RAM and with 0 sticks of RAM. No motherboard beeps from either combination. CPU LED light continued to light up.

Now it's a battle between determining a fried CPU or fried motherboard. Either that, or I can take the plunge and fork out an additional ~$250 that I don't have lying around.

If anyone has any further suggestions to determine which part is fried, please let me know.

[Deep Thunder]

For anyone that's curious, it was my motherboard that was fried. I purchased a new motherboard and now everything is working perfectly!

[XxJCORONAxX]

so it was your motherboard same thing has just happened to me

[Alen]

Hi man, i have a similar problem, sometimes when i turn on my computer, the bios just crashes or something like that, then i remove the bios battery for 1 entire minute, then i turn on the PC and just works. I don't understand what this ♥♥♥♥ happens but it's kinda upsetting. I hope help you or somebody with a similar problem. Actually, i'm trying to get a config that works perfectly, just try and failure, modifying some options... Well, let's see what happens :S

[Clem Fandango]

Hey, I have experienced the same nonsense with that board as well. I'm kicking at myself because I knew it so well. After trying every replacement part imaginable, except for the MOBO itself, I just sat there & called myself cursed.

I found a sweet spot after Jan 1 2020, & now the situation only occurs once or twice, but randomly.

IDK if you already tried this, but using the power switch on the PSU "solves" the problem(for me at least.)

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for proving I'm not crazy. I'm going mobo shopping!

[11]

you dont ask steam for tech support you monkey

[Clem Fandango]

Steam asks you

[Foopock]

XxJCORONAxX eredeti hozzászólása:

so it was your motherboard same thing has just happened to me

Did replacing the motherboard help?

[_I_]

Deep Thunder eredeti hozzászólása:

For anyone that's curious, it was my motherboard that was fried. I purchased a new motherboard and now everything is working perfectly!

yes