Possible Memory controller or Mobo Issue?

Holllis · June 7, 2017

Okay at a bit of a loss here.

Mobo: MSI z170a gaming m7
CPU: i7 6700k (stock speeds)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 3000 (running at 2333) 32gb (4x 8GB)

Video: GTX 1080Ti

Computer has been working fine since July (when built). Had issues with long boot times (10+ minutes), found a drive failure, removed, boot issues resolved. Computer worked perfectly.

Decided to flash BIOS (to most recent version from 1.0) in order to support NVME drive, flash appeared successful, but computer would not post after. It would hang indefinitely in pre-post (CPU fans would spin for about 5 seconds before shutting down, all other fans and LEDs stayed on). Showed debug code 23.

Began removing components one by one, tested all DIMMs, resocketed CPU, removed graphics card, reset CMOS, nothing worked. Tested with everything removed other than board power and BIOS flash USB drive plugged into the correct port, same results.

Attempted to flash the BIOS using onboard button, first attempt appeared successful (CPU activity and fans spinning), but after this everything would seize less than 1 second after attempting to power on (power cut entirely).

Idiot alert: Realized at this point that I was using MSI z270a gaming m7 BIOS rom. I know...

Got the correct rom, Formatted thumb drive to FAT32 and put it in the root.

Cleared CMOS again (left power off and unplugged, CMOS battery out for 1 hour or so), was able to get everything to return to pre-post hang (cpu fans showing activity and then turning off shortly), showing error 23.

Attempted to use onboard BIOS flashback+ to flash to BIOS 1.0 (correct z170 version this time) with no luck. System continues to stick in pre-post Limbo. If I attempt to flash with BIOS Flashback+ the red indicator (both above Flashback+ button and on I/O block under Flashback+ USB jack) flashes twice and then hangs while on indefinitely (left it on overnight to test).

Is this board dead? Did I fry my CPU? I read that error code 23 is a memory controller error, but can find very little information about it or any other problem I am having.

I was using everything right before it crapped out. Other maybe useful information:
- before attempting to run the initial BIOS flash, I accidentally started memtest86+ and cancelled it about 2 minutes in

- when removing all DIMMs I do get the error code for no memory installed, so I think I have ruled out the actual DIMMs or slots (nothing changes if I install all dimms or any single one in any config)

- did use the MSI forum BIOS flash media creator thing, but it was the incorrect BIOS for my board. Flashing completed ("successfully" according to the MSI DOS Splash screen thing)

Thanks for your time, and I apologize if I used incorrect terminology, It's been a long time since I've had any issues like this.