I just built a new PC using a 7800x3d CPU and a 7800xt GPU, and everything was running smoothly. After I swapped out the CPU fan, I turned the PC on and saw a red light and a yellow light on my MSI Pro X870-P motherboard, and there was no display. I'm really worried that my CPU might be damaged. Can anyone help me figure out what's going on?
3 Answers
First things first, check your RAM and GPU connections. It’s common for RAM to get knocked loose during a build or component swap. Make sure everything is seated properly. Also, double-check all the power supply cables and connections on the motherboard; sometimes they can get tugged during installation. It might just be a loose connection that's causing the issue. If you're lucky, it’s an easy fix!
Have you checked the labels under the lights? They usually indicate whether it's a VGA, CPU, RAM, or ROM issue. And pay attention to what the lights are doing—are they steady, blinking, or changing? Sometimes the lights can flash during boot for no reason when everything is working fine. Waiting a bit can give you a clearer picture.
I saw the labels, and I know they mean CPU and RAM problems. But I’m not clear on what to do next to troubleshoot.
The red LED typically means the CPU isn't getting recognized by the motherboard, while the yellow one points to a memory issue. When you swapped the cooling fan, did you twist it while trying to install? That might lead to problems. You could also Google "MSI Pro X870-P red and yellow lights" for troubleshooting tips that might help you narrow down the issues further.
I already tried checking the RAM. I switched it out and even tried using only one stick. But the lights are still on. I’m starting to worry that I might have bent a pin when installing the cooler.