[spcmafia]

Build is done! Boy was it a pain to get this thing running. My problems started after the first failed boot-up. After re-verifying that my connections were good, turns out I had a bad CPU (Last resort). Great thing I bought two by mistake. After replacing the CPU, I thought my RAMs (DRAM light on mobo) were bad, so I bought another 16GB. After replacing said RAM with new stick(s), same DRAM light on MOBO was on. Re-checked connections, Google, Youtube, read the manual, Ah! Came across a section on the manual about BIOS Flashback button. Turns out that even if my Mobo supports all the components I bought, it is likely that the latest version the mobo was built with was no longer compatible with the components. I also luckily had an old 2GB USB Drive lying around, downloaded the latest drive for the mobo (verify the exact model number), take usb drive, plug usb drive, press flashy BIOS-Flashback, light goes blink blink, light goes out. TA-DA! Computer turns on, no DRAM lights, recognizes the keyboard, mouse. Now I ended up with extra 16GB of RAM which brought me to a total of 32GB, plus a broken CPU which I need to go return.



Lessons learned
-Double check connections. Triple check. Then check again.

-Might not be applicable to all motherboards, but a DRAM light on could mean two things, bad RAM or bad CPU. Most likely the latter, unless you somehow managed to discharge into the RAM during installation process. The controls for the RAM are inside the CPU, so its a 50-50 chance.
-You bought all the latest and greatest components for you brand new PC, your mobo supports said components. Might be a good idea to download the latest BIOS version of you Mobo to an USB Drive and update it before booting-up, trust me, took me HOURS to come to this realization.

-If you can afford it, buy two CPUs, or have a spare one, or even better, don't get them shipped to your house, I think mine maybe got messed up during shipping.


EDIT: Somehow my pics keep uploading sideways, apologize for that.