Troubleshooting the Display Issue: A Case of the MSI Z790 Max Tomahawk WiFi

As a PC enthusiast, encountering display issues while upgrading or troubleshooting can be frustrating. Recently, I faced a challenge with my MSI Z790 Max Tomahawk WiFi motherboard after attempting to reboot into m-flash to address persistent Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. Here’s a detailed account of my experience and the troubleshooting steps I’ve taken in hopes of finding a solution.

The Scenario

After experiencing regular BSOD incidents, I decided it was time to update my BIOS. I selected the m-flash option for the reboot, but once my computer restarted, the display remained blank. Given my past experiences with BIOS updates, I found the delay concerning. After waiting several minutes with no results, I opted to manually power down and restart the machine. Unfortunately, this only led to a situation where the display refused to show any output.

Steps Taken to Diagnose the Problem

I initiated a comprehensive troubleshooting process, which included multiple attempts at resolving the issue:

BIOS Flash via the Flash Button: I tried using the dedicated flash BIOS button located on the back panel. The process completed successfully, but the display still failed to activate.
Power Reset Techniques: I disconnected the power supply to drain it, removed the CMOS battery, and let it sit overnight to ensure no residual power remained. I also tested shorting the JBAT1 jumper.
Port and Cable Maintenance: I swapped output ports and transitioned from DisplayPort to HDMI. I verified the functionality of all cables with other devices to rule out faulty connections.
Monitor Tests: I connected three separate monitors via both HDMI and DisplayPort; none displayed an image.
RAM Adjustment: I unseated and reseated the RAM multiple times and tested each stick individually in various slots to eliminate potential RAM issues.
Additional BIOS Flashing: I attempted to flash the BIOS again, successfully, but the display issue persisted.
Integrated Graphics Test: Removing the GPU, I connected displays directly to the motherboard’s ports, but still encountered no output.
USB Disconnection: All USB devices were unplugged in case one was interfering with startup.
Alternative BIOS Flash Drive: I used a different USB drive to manually flash the BIOS, which completed without errors.
**Power Button Mane