CPU and DDRAM Red Lights

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   The first time you boot it up after building the machine, it will take roughly 17 minutes to start booting, and in the meantime the red and yellow lights will be on.

The 17 minutes is an exaggeration. But it's super slow, and the more RAM you have, the slower it is.

After successfully booting, the lights turn off, and subsequent boots are fast.

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cameron Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: Yesterday Status: Offline Points: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote cameron Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: CPU and DDRAM Red Lights Posted: Yesterday at 6:18am
	The first time you boot it up after building the machine, it will take roughly 17 minutes to start booting, and in the meantime the red and yellow lights will be on. The 17 minutes is an exaggeration. But it's super slow, and the more RAM you have, the slower it is. After successfully booting, the lights turn off, and subsequent boots are fast.

doublekassu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Jan 2025 Status: Offline Points: 75	Post Options Post Reply Quote doublekassu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Mar 2025 at 6:39pm
	Did you find a fix?

jonah_23 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Nov 2024 Status: Offline Points: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote jonah_23 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Nov 2024 at 12:27pm
	I have the exact same problem with my B560M steel legend. Tried everything you tried and still nothing. What did you end up doing and did it resolve the issue?

msteitle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 03 May 2024 Location: Denver Status: Offline Points: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote msteitle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 May 2024 at 7:12am
	It's been over 15 years since I've build a machine, and the stupid thing I forgot was that the CPU had its own power cables. You saved me so much trouble. My CPU and DRAM lights were on and I had no video. This was my issue. Thank you!

ohcrap Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Mar 2024 Status: Offline Points: 125	Post Options Post Reply Quote ohcrap Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 2024 at 2:38am
	Did you reach any conclusions? I have the same two red lights lit, but only when I run with two chips of RAM. With one, it boots and works well. It doesn't matter which RAM chip I use, so it has something to do with the slot or something else. Who knows.

PeteS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Jan 2024 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 115	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeteS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jan 2024 at 1:40am
	Of all the systems I built, I've never had a bad processor, both Intel and AMD, but I've had bad motherboards. So my money is on a bad Motherboard.
	Pete Step

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 29748	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jan 2024 at 12:30am
	Sorry to hear that, it's always such a headache when things don't work on a new build If you do go the RMA route I would RMA both the board and the CPU to make sure you have returned the faulty item. I strongly suspect the CPU is the culprit but with return windows such as they are, better safe than sorry.


PeteS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Jan 2024 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 115	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeteS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Jan 2024 at 7:14am
	I have another system with DDR4 RAM I'm going to try pulling the Ram from my other system as a last resort, if that doesn't work I'm going to get a different MB or CPU.
	Pete Step

PeteS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Jan 2024 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 115	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeteS Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Jan 2024 at 7:05am
	Well I re-checked everything for a 4th time, pulled the battery, cleared CMOS and it still doesn't POST. I left it on for about 5 minutes in case the CPU needed to get any more info from the system No POST no sparks nothing. is there a sure way to check the CPU, other than using it in another system?
	Pete Step

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 29748	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Jan 2024 at 4:13am
	Great, thanks for the extra info. So, the 12600k should be supported on all BIOS versions so an incompatible BIOS shouldn't be the issue. DRAM and CPU lights being lit and staying lit typically means either the CPU isn't supported (needs a newer BIOS), RAM not detected/compatible or a dead CPU. Make sure the RAM is properly seated, it can be a very tight fit on new boards sometimes. If that isn't the issue, try clearing CMOS and pulling the battery with the system disconnected from power. Be sure to press and hold the power switch for 5 seconds or so to discharge the PSU and board caps and leave it like that for 10 mins. If that still doesn't work then it may be worth looking into a CPU RMA. If you search the forums here the vast majority of people with this issue, it ended up being a DOA CPU. Hopefully that isn't the case. Let us know how you get on and good luck