I was using a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 with an MSI B760-P motherboard, and it booted normally. After swapping in a 12th-generation Core i5, the system will not reach BIOS and shows the red CPU debug light. Reinstalling the i3 works immediately. I've already reseated the processor, tried a single RAM stick in slot A2, and reset the CMOS battery, but the i5 still won't post. What else should I check?
1 Answer
Check MSI’s CPU support list for the exact i5 model and the BIOS version it requires. Being a 12th-generation chip doesn’t always guarantee that the installed BIOS has the right microcode. If your board supports BIOS Flashback, you can update the BIOS without booting into setup: download the correct BIOS from MSI, format a USB drive as FAT32, rename the BIOS file as MSI’s instructions specify, place it in the required USB port, and use the Flash BIOS button with the system powered off. Follow the motherboard manual carefully. If the i5 is already supported by the current BIOS, inspect the socket for bent pins and verify that the CPU power cables are fully connected.
How do I perform the BIOS Flashback update? I’ll follow the motherboard manual, but I want to make sure I’m using the correct procedure.