Troubleshooting a Boot Loop on the Gigabyte GA-AB350M Gaming 3 After BIOS Configuration Post-Upgrade to Ryzen 7 5800X
Introduction
Upgrading PC hardware can significantly boost performance, but it sometimes introduces compatibility or configuration issues that are challenging to resolve. One such scenario involves the Gigabyte GA-AB350M Gaming 3 motherboard experiencing boot failures after BIOS adjustments following a CPU upgrade. This article discusses the background, root causes, and potential solutions for this common problem.
System Overview
Hardware Components
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-AB350M Gaming 3 (BIOS version F52)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (upgrade from an older Ryzen processor)
- Memory: 32GB G.Skill TridentZ DDR4-3200 CL16 (4×8 GB sticks) with XMP enabled
- Graphics Card: Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon dedicated GPU
- Cooling Solution: DeepCool AK400
- Storage Devices: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD and additional drives
- Power Supply: Connected through an APC UPS for stability
Initial System State
Upon installing the new CPU and cooling system, the system booted successfully. The BIOS recognized the CPU and RAM at their specified speeds, and the operating system loaded normally. Stability was confirmed during the initial setup.
Changes Made in BIOS
Attempting to install Windows 11, the following BIOS modifications were applied:
- Disabled Compatibility Support Module (CSM)
- Enabled Secure Boot
- Enabled Intel Trusted Platform Module (fTPM)
Resulting Issue
Following these BIOS changes, the system began to experience boot loops characterized by a black screen. Occasionally, the Gigabyte splash screen appears but then hangs. The keyboard response is unresponsive when attempting to access BIOS settings (which typically involves pressing the DEL key). Conventional troubleshooting steps, including clearing the CMOS via removing the battery and using the jumper, failed to resolve the issue.
Further Diagnostic Efforts
To isolate the problem, hardware components were stripped down to minimum configurations:
- Using only one RAM module
- Running with the GPU only, no drives or USB devices connected
Despite these efforts, the motherboard still powers on with fans and LEDs spinning, but it remains stuck at the black screen or at the Gigabyte logo indefinitely.
Analysis and Recommendations
Root Cause
The main suspicion centers on BIOS corruption or an unstable BIOS state following the recent configuration changes. These BIOS settings, especially Secure Boot and f
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