CMOS reset and now have no video from GPU

[liquidsnake]

Hey guys,

Motherboard: Gigabyte A520M DS3H V2 (rev1)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (No integrated GPU)
Gfx Card: XFX RX 6600
Ram: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (CMH16GX4M2E3200C16 2x8 GB)
NVME: Patriot P300 512GB M.2
PSU: Raidmax 550W

Was hoping someone could help me or point me in the right direction. I was having issues or so I thought with inserting new ram modules, windows would BSOD on restarts. PC has been working perfectly before then.
I thought I would reset the BIOS in the hope that it would solve it as perhaps there was voltage changes or something done by previous owner.
Issue is that now since the reset I have no video. I can hear windows booting fine though via my speakers.

I suspect that it may be settings to do with the integrated v pci e card but since I can't see anything I am unable to change anything in the bios.

If you have any ideas on what I could do please let me know. Thanks in advance

 

[Honorable Memba]

Take one ram stick out the MB and see if you get video.

 

[liquidsnake]

Take one ram stick out the MB and see if you get video.

Hey, yeah tried with the 2 new sticks of Ram out. Also tried now again with only 1 ram module in it to no avail. Still no display...

 

[JollyJamma]

Are you using a riser?

Disconnect the drive with the OS on, get a PC and write Ubuntu to a flash drive, insert USB drive and see if it’ll boot to the flash drive and give you a display out.


Reboot into BIOS from Ubuntu.

I’d suggest updating to the latest BIOS version.

 

[liquidsnake]

Are you using a riser?

Disconnect the drive with the OS on, get a PC and write Ubuntu to a flash drive, insert USB drive and see if it’ll boot to the flash drive and give you a display out.


Reboot into BIOS from Ubuntu.

I’d suggest updating to the latest BIOS version.

Hey,

No I am not using a riser, gfx card is plugged straight into the pci e of the mobo.

Will try doing the ubuntu boot via flash drive. just difficult as there is no display but from what i recall F12 was the boot menu .... In the meantime will also attempt to just start it up without the nvme connected.

The bios is on the latest version as I checked that before this whole drama started.

 

[liquidsnake]

Nah this thing has no video output. It's just blank screen if I plug in the flash drive as well. Blank screen if I remove the ssd too. It's switching on. All fans including the gpu fans are spinning. RGB lights on ram stick is on as well. Can even hear it boot into windows if I leave i dont interrupt the boot with trying to get into bios.

 

[Switch]

Probably bios setting for the video display out being only set to igpu, try reset the bios again but if it doesn't work then you will need a cpu with onboard igpu to fix it.

 

[liquidsnake]

Probably bios setting for the video display out being only set to igpu, try reset the bios again but if it doesn't work then you will need a cpu with onboard igpu to fix it.

Been dreading that this is what I will need to do.... how do people usually setup these mobos? dont they come default like this? so frustrating if it is this. Any recommendations on where i can borrow an AM4 cpu with gpu integrated..... looked at FB marketplace but is there somewhere a carbie can help out (which thread to post in) willing to pay for this..

 

[Switch]

Been dreading that this is what I will need to do.... how do people usually setup these mobos? dont they come default like this? so frustrating if it is this. Any recommendations on where i can borrow an AM4 cpu with gpu integrated..... looked at FB marketplace but is there somewhere a carbie can help out (which thread to post in) willing to pay for this..

Depends on how you reset the bios, ideally you should just select load optimized defaults instead of like removing the cmos battery. Phone your nearest pc shop with in-house tech, maybe like matrix warehouse, and see if they have a spare apu.

 

[liquidsnake]

Depends on how you reset the bios, ideally you should just select load optimized defaults instead of like removing the cmos battery. Phone your nearest pc shop with in-house tech, maybe like matrix warehouse, and see if they have a spare apu.

Yeah i did remove the cmos battery after i tried the optimized defaults (to fix the initial bsod issue)

Anyway you may be right. i will try a pc shop for an apu.
I was hoping the mobo would have had "auto" set as default for this. I also had to remove the gfx card to get to the battery of the cmos, so also gna check that its perhaps how the card is seated.

this is the mobo i have: A520M DS3H V2 (rev. 1.0) Key Features | Motherboard - GIGABYTE Global

 

[JamesBuffaloWings]

Been dreading that this is what I will need to do.... how do people usually setup these mobos? dont they come default like this? so frustrating if it is this. Any recommendations on where i can borrow an AM4 cpu with gpu integrated..... looked at FB marketplace but is there somewhere a carbie can help out (which thread to post in) willing to pay for this..

 

[liquidsnake]

@JamesBuffaloWings ????

 

[souljazk]

By default if you reset the BIOS the display should set to "auto" so it will detect either iGPU or PCIE GPU. Silly Q - are you plugging in your display cable to the GPU or motherboard? It happens to the best of us at times.

I'd try reflash the BIOS with the same BIOS version , and if that doesnt give display, then try 1 version back, and if no positive results, upgrade the BIOS again. Most boards have a BIOS flash back function these days.

What beeps is the diagnostic speaker making? That little speaker is honestly your best troubleshooting tool. Compare the beeps with RAM installed and with no RAM. There should be a distinct difference in the beeps, which lets your know that the machine is looking for the RAM, which is a good, but very basic sign of life.

Another thing you can try - I've revived well over 100x boards in the last 15y like this, some of them were resolved remotely with the other tech following my instructions.
1. Remove GPU, CPU and RAM.
2. Power system on.
2.1 It might not do anything, just wait 2min or a little longer.
3. Power down, flush power.
4. Install CPU only.
4.1 Power on - what beeps do you get from the diag speaker?
5. Power down, flush power.
6. Install 1 stick of RAM (use the old RAM you knew was working if applicable) into the slot that is 2nd from the CPU, and power up - what beeps do you get from the diag speaker? Makes notes, as different RAM *might* give different results EG RAM A = system power / partial power ; RAM B = system does not turn on.
7. Power down, flush power.
8. Install GPU and power up - what beeps do you get from the diag speaker?

Note 1 - I always try get a board with a 2nd 8x or 16x PCIE slot, juuust incase the main PCIE slot goes faulty. I don't think this is your case, but cant be sure just yet.

Note 2 - I recently saw a similar issue with a friends board (Intel 6th gen Gigabyte board, i5 with no iGPU etc etc). System is posting as I get the correct beeps for that board/BIOS (you'll find these in the manual, but its usually 2 quick beeps) and I can see it gets an IP + I can see the file shares.

I only had a spare PSU, GPU and RAM to test his setup, which led me to the conclsion that his PCIE slow was faulty. Waiting to get a compatible CPU with onboard GPU to confirm.

 

[goldfritter]

Also try different display connect outputs on your GPU. Might be outputting to one of the other display outputs.

 

[liquidsnake]

By default if you reset the BIOS the display should set to "auto" so it will detect either iGPU or PCIE GPU. Silly Q - are you plugging in your display cable to the GPU or motherboard? It happens to the best of us at times.

I'd try reflash the BIOS with the same BIOS version , and if that doesnt give display, then try 1 version back, and if no positive results, upgrade the BIOS again. Most boards have a BIOS flash back function these days.

What beeps is the diagnostic speaker making? That little speaker is honestly your best troubleshooting tool. Compare the beeps with RAM installed and with no RAM. There should be a distinct difference in the beeps, which lets your know that the machine is looking for the RAM, which is a good post sign.

Another thing you can try - I've revived well over 100x boards in the last 15y like this, some of them were resolved remotely with the other tech following my instructions.
1. Remove GPU, CPU and RAM.
2. Power system on.
2.1 It might not do anything, just wait 2min or a little longer.
3. Power down, flush power.
4. Install CPU only.
4.1 Power on - what beeps do you get from the diag speaker?
5. Power down, flush power.
6. Install 1 stick of RAM (use the old RAM you knew was working) and power up - what beeps do you get from the diag speaker?
7. Power down, flush power.
8. Install GPU and power up - what beeps do you get from the diag speaker?

Note 1 - I always try get a board with a 2nd 8x or 16x PCIE slot, juuust incase the main PCIE slot goes faulty. I don't think this is your case, but cant be sure just yet.

Note 2 - I recently saw a similar issue with a friends board (Intel 6th gen Gigabyte board, i5 with no iGPU etc etc). System is posting as I get the correct beeps for that board/BIOS (you'll find these in the manual, but its usually 2 quick beeps) and I can see it gets an IP + I can see the file shares.

I only had a spare PSU, GPU and RAM to test his setup, which led me to the conclsion that his PCIE slow was faulty. Waiting to get a compatible CPU with onboard GPU to confirm.

First of all thanks for the detailed response. The hdmi cable is plugged into the gfx card.

I have a 2 monitor setup so removed the display port connection for the sake of just getting it to start. I may try what the next poster recommended which is using one of the other display port outputs. (the gfx card has 3x display ports and 1x hdmi)

The thing is that this mono does not have a built in speaker or anythng connected to the speaker header. I will have to try and get one to troubleshoot that way. Using the beeps. Check a few posts up I shared the model of the mobo.

Will try the detailed steps you sent regarding cpu, gpu, ram removal and re-adding them one at a time. Gna go grab some thermal paste before I get started on that. Also just at work today.

Regarding your notes, my board does have a 2nd pcie port bt i dont have a card to test in that one. Interesting point regarding an IP address, ima check my router to see if an ip is assigned to it, the router luckily has a nice page showing cable connections/WiFi connections.

 

[liquidsnake]

Also try different display connect outputs on your GPU. Might be outputting to one of the other display outputs.

Thanks. Will give this a shot as well.

 

[JollyJamma]

you can try connecting the device to internet via LAN cable and then letting it boot into windows.

Leave it for a while and windows should auto install drivers and then switch display outputs.

 

[liquidsnake]

you can try connecting the device to internet via LAN cable and then letting it boot into windows.

Leave it for a while and windows should auto install drivers and then switch display outputs.

Will give this a try as well

 

[souljazk]

Yeah i did remove the cmos battery after i tried the optimized defaults (to fix the initial bsod issue)

Anyway you may be right. i will try a pc shop for an apu.
I was hoping the mobo would have had "auto" set as default for this. I also had to remove the gfx card to get to the battery of the cmos, so also gna check that its perhaps how the card is seated.

this is the mobo i have: A520M DS3H V2 (rev. 1.0) Key Features | Motherboard - GIGABYTE Global

I had a look better look using the link, and it does not have a 2nd 8x or 16x PCIE slot which would be needed to do some basic tests in the 2nd slot.

It does have a PCIE slot, but its a 1x or 2x slot by the looks of it. GPU needs a 8x PCIE slot for minimal power / data lines, if I recall.

PCIE slot info if you want to read a bit about the variations etc - What Is PCIe Card? Everything You Need to Know About PCI Express Card | FS Community

 

[souljazk]

you can try connecting the device to internet via LAN cable and then letting it boot into windows.

Leave it for a while and windows should auto install drivers and then switch display outputs.

Excellent suggetion, I totally did not think about this Smarty pants

 

[Switch]

It does have a PCIE slot, but its a 1x or 2x slot by the looks of it. GPU needs a 8x PCIE slot for minimal power / data lines, if I recall.

Some x16 gpu require minimum x8 while others can run perfectly slowly on x1, depends on the specific card/manufacturer.

 

[liquidsnake]

Update:

Windows is already installed so the graphics driver was always there. However I do pickup on the router that an ip address is assigned, so its definitely booting into windows.

Regarding the other PCIe slot, yeah thats not gna work in my instance, unless i can find a card that fits it which is going to be a mission.

I tried @souljazk suggestion to remove and re-add all the components one at a time, also double checked the seating of the gfx card, but unfortunately still no display. Now starting to get worried about my gfx card as well. (although both fans are spinning on it)

Also tried connecting my 2nd monitor to each of the 3x display ports as @goldfritter suggested and still nothing.

In the meantime I contacted a pc repair shop, who have a Ryzen 3 3200G, which has an integrated gpu, will take it around there to test and see if I can get into and view the bios. The owner has said that if I damage the apu i will be liable for it ofcourse.

hoping for the best will update thread, but going to search for an internal speaker i can attach to the header to troubleshoot in the meantime.

 

[JollyJamma]

Getting someone to fix it for you is an excellent idea.

Also, it sounds like your GPU is dead.

 

[souljazk]

"In the meantime I contacted a pc repair shop, who have a Ryzen 3 3200G, which has an integrated gpu, will take it around there to test and see if I can get into and view the bios. The owner has said that if I damage the apu i will be liable for it ofcourse."

Let them show you the CPU working on onboard, with 1 of their systems, just to make sure + cover your ass a little. If you're going to them, ask them for a diag speaker. I keep a small stash of those + sata & other cables in my work backpack, def saved myself lots of frustration over the years.

 

[liquidsnake]

"In the meantime I contacted a pc repair shop, who have a Ryzen 3 3200G, which has an integrated gpu, will take it around there to test and see if I can get into and view the bios. The owner has said that if I damage the apu i will be liable for it ofcourse."

Let them show you the CPU working on onboard, with 1 of their systems, just to make sure + cover your ass a little. If you're going to them, ask them for a diag speaker. I keep a small stash of those + sata & other cables in my work backpack, def saved myself lots of frustration over the years.

yeah will make sure its working separately first. i have an older nuc pc here but the speaker in there seems to be embedded onto the case so cudnt get that off to try it. will get the pc repair shop to get me a speaker as well. that will definitely help me diagnose anything in future too.

operating with a headless system is so terrible, especially not being able to get into the bios. anyway thanks for all your help. really appreciate it. will hopefully update tomorrow or friday once i get to that shop

 

[souljazk]

@liquidsnake brought his PC to me earlier.

5h of troubleshooting later (less loadshedding) we have post + display.

90% of the testing was with only 4 pin CPU power which = NO display, no matter what....

I cant explain it but the fix was to put his CPU, RAM into my board, but his GPU into my boards 8x PCIE slot .. As soon as we did that, boom, display... (16x slot gave the same issue - no display despite the debug LED's indicating the system is posting) . Upto this point no combo of mobo, RAM, GPU, PSU, CPU power {4 or 8pin} etc would give display, despite the system seemingly posting, blindly.

Once we had display:
Then we used both of the CPU's 4 pin, 1 by 1 = display.
Back to CPU 8 pin = display.
Changed RAm = display (his 2 sets and my 1x Corsair RGB PRo & 1x Klevv).

Weirdest issue I've seen in AGES, and the only theory I have is that the GPU was "reset" or "re-trained" by moving from the 16x slot to the 8x slot.

The RAM that originally gave him the BSOD during restart, booted multiple times into his fresh W11 install.

In 96h I'll consider this solved Thanx @liquidsnake for the chat and your patience!

 

[liquidsnake]

@liquidsnake brought his PC to me earlier.

5h of troubleshooting later (less loadshedding) we have post + display.

90% of the testing was with only 4 pin CPU power which = NO display, no matter what....

I cant explain it but the fix was to put his CPU, RAM into my board, but his GPU into my boards 8x PCIE slot .. As soon as we did that, boom, display... (16x slot gave the same issue - no display despite the debug LED's indicating the system is posting) . Upto this point no combo of mobo, RAM, GPU, PSU etc would give display, despite the system seemingly posting, blindly.

Then we used the CPU's 4 pin = display.
Back to CPU 8 pin = display.
Changed RAm = display (his 2 sets and my 1x Corsair RGB PRo & 1x Klevv).

Weirdest issue I've seen in AGES, and the only theory I have is that the GPU was "reset" or "re-trained" by moving fromthe 16x slot to the 8x slot.

The RAM that originally gave him the BSOD during restart, booted multiple times into his fresh W11install.

In 96h I'll consider this solved Thanx @liquidsnake for the chat and your patience!

I AM TYPING THIS FROM THE NOW RESTORED AMD RYZEN PC

What a f***ng legend you are @souljazk! Talking about bringing the dead back to life 😅 The patience you have is on another level and attention to detail. I am so thankful to carbonite that I stumbled upon you dude.

The pc switched on as mentioned after the gpu was tested on another board in a 8x PCIe slot. Not sure how it got resuscitated but it did, this would have honestly been impossible for me to find. i was on the verge of chucking this board and cpu (meanwhile it was none of those)...
Just going to keep monitoring the new sticks of RAM ofcourse but for now the PC is running buttery smooth!

Thanks again @souljazk

 

[JollyJamma]

@liquidsnake brought his PC to me earlier.

5h of troubleshooting later (less loadshedding) we have post + display.

90% of the testing was with only 4 pin CPU power which = NO display, no matter what....

I cant explain it but the fix was to put his CPU, RAM into my board, but his GPU into my boards 8x PCIE slot .. As soon as we did that, boom, display... (16x slot gave the same issue - no display despite the debug LED's indicating the system is posting) . Upto this point no combo of mobo, RAM, GPU, PSU etc would give display, despite the system seemingly posting, blindly.

Then we used the CPU's 4 pin = display.
Back to CPU 8 pin = display.
Changed RAm = display (his 2 sets and my 1x Corsair RGB PRo & 1x Klevv).

Weirdest issue I've seen in AGES, and the only theory I have is that the GPU was "reset" or "re-trained" by moving fromthe 16x slot to the 8x slot.

The RAM that originally gave him the BSOD during restart, booted multiple times into his fresh W11install.

In 96h I'll consider this solved Thanx @liquidsnake for the chat and your patience!

That’s about the weirdest issue I’ve heard of in ages.

Well done

 

[souljazk]

That’s about the weirdest issue I’ve heard of in ages.

Well done

I have some answers

The B450 chipset that I used to test his GPU has 1 16x PCIE wired to the CPU & the 8x goes via the PCH. How / why this "reset" or "re-trained" the GPU, I'm not sure...