ASRock Forums : Asrock Z87 Extreme 4 Damaged - Code 15 https://forum.asrock.com/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:25:06 +0000 Fri, 15 Jul 2016 00:11:38 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.04 360 https://forum.asrock.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=3032 <![CDATA[ASRock Forums]]> https://forum.asrock.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums_black.png https://forum.asrock.com/ <![CDATA[Asrock Z87 Extreme 4 Damaged - Code 15 : Finally got a boot (YAY), after...]]> https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14953&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14953 Author: auggie
Subject: 3032
Posted: 15 Jul 2016 at 12:11am

Finally got a boot (YAY), after methodically unplugging and re-plugging devices, cleared CMOS and left battery out overnight, using GPU and one stick of RAM.

So, now the monitor screen boots to "CMOS date not set. Press F2 or DEL to run setup. Press F1 to continue." Would this indicate that the CPU is OK?

However, Debug is showing code A2 (IDE or SATA devices), but when the SATAs (HD and OD) are unplugged Debug throws code 99 (PCI devices). Moving the GPU to other slots made no difference.

Tried SATAs in the alternate slots with same results. Individually, with SATA HD plugged in Debug throws code 99 and with SATA OD plugged in Debug throws code A2.

And if I re-seat the Network card Debug throws code 15, so removed it again. Would this indicate that the Network card might be damaged from lightning potentially coming through the network cable?

Should I proceed with screen instructions - or what next? Any thoughts on this current situation?]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2016 00:11:38 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14953&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14953 <![CDATA[Asrock Z87 Extreme 4 Damaged - Code 15 : Thanks for your replies!Troubleshooting...]]> https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14933&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14933 Author: auggie
Subject: 3032
Posted: 14 Jul 2016 at 12:42am

Thanks for your replies!

Troubleshooting so far:

1. Disconnected LAN and cables other than keyboard & monitor - code 15
2. Re-seated power cables to MB and cleared CMOS - code 15
3. Removed RAM - code 15

Will test the PSU later and need to get supplies in order to re-seat the CPU...

No other lights are on the MB except reset/power/debug lights and a tiny LED beside the BIOS sticker. The LEDs on the LAN port remain off.

The keyboard is a lighted one but it's lights did come on as usual when power button is pushed - also tried it in the other USB slots but they all seem dead.

The machine was in sleep mode when the close-by lightning occurred. Powered it back up in order to shut the system down and when it did not boot saw Code 15.]]> Thu, 14 Jul 2016 00:42:46 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14933&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14933 <![CDATA[Asrock Z87 Extreme 4 Damaged - Code 15 : auggie wrote:Close-by lightning...]]> https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14930&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14930 Author: parsec
Subject: 3032
Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 11:43pm

Originally posted by auggie auggie wrote:

Close-by lightning strike seems to have disabled the motherboard. Computer, monitor, and router were all plugged into APC UPS BE750G, but only computer was affected.

Machine powers on, fans come on, but the MB Debug immediately shows Code 15. After a few seconds the machine powers itself off and then on again. It does not boot, there are no Post Beeps, USB ports are not working, and no other LED lights are on besides the MB reset/power/debug lights.

Is it safe to assume the MB is toast, or should we try some troubleshooting steps?

Thanks for help!


Sorry to hear about your disaster! Ouch

Some marketing talk about your UPS:

  • Back-UPS BE750G provides guaranteed power and surge protection for desktop computers, wireless networks, gaming consoles and other electronics.
  • Supplies battery backup power during outages and unsafe voltage fluctuations, as well as protection from damaging surges and spikes.
  • $75,000 equipment protection policy
You might be able to get some help from APC, not sure about that.

Was this PC on and booted up when this act of Gawd occurred?

Let's see, the first component that felt the pain was the PSU, I would assume. Even if the PC was shutdown. Do you think the PSU is fine, have you tried another?

Since the PC did not complete POST, and stopped POST early on at the 15 check, a memory test, the USB ports were probably not alive yet, so IMO they are still unknown about working or not.

POST code 15 is a memory check failure. That means the basic CPU check apparently passed. Replacing the memory would be my second test, after the PSU.

What other LEDs are on the board that could light up? If you have an active router connected to the network jack, even with the PC off but PSU on, you should see one of the LEDs for the network port light up, or flash on and off. That would be another basic test for life.

Since the board, etc, failed to POST, there is no chance of it booting the OS.

Did you try clearing the BIOS/CMOS, and then start the PC?
]]> Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:43:15 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14930&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14930 <![CDATA[Asrock Z87 Extreme 4 Damaged - Code 15 : Welcome to the forums.Lets run...]]> https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14929&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14929 Author: Xaltar
Subject: 3032
Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 11:30pm

Welcome to the forums.

Lets run you through some basic troubleshooting steps to rule out other possible causes.

1. Disconnect all LAN and other cables from the system other than keyboard and monitor and try to power on, if lightning was the cause then it is likely that it found its way to the PC through a LAN cable or something connected to the PC.

2. Open up the case and clear CMOS. 

3. Remove and reseat the memory and CPU, error code 15 is either CPU or RAM related according to your manual.

4. Remove and reseat all power cables on the motherboard.


If none of this works post back here.

Good luck



]]> Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:30:17 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14929&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14929 <![CDATA[Asrock Z87 Extreme 4 Damaged - Code 15 : Close-by lightning strike seems...]]> https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14927&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14927 Author: auggie
Subject: 3032
Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 10:17pm

Close-by lightning strike seems to have disabled the motherboard. Computer, monitor, and router were all plugged into APC UPS BE750G, but only computer was affected.

Machine powers on, fans come on, but the MB Debug immediately shows Code 15. After a few seconds the machine powers itself off and then on again. It does not boot, there are no Post Beeps, USB ports are not working, and no other LED lights are on besides the MB reset/power/debug lights.

Is it safe to assume the MB is toast, or should we try some troubleshooting steps?

Thanks for help!
]]> Wed, 13 Jul 2016 22:17:30 +0000 https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3032&PID=14927&title=asrock-z87-extreme-4-damaged-code-15#14927