Asrock Z87 Extreme 4 Damaged - Code 15

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!

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!

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?

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?