[H-GEN] I need help with a new Threadripper system.

[Walter Seikel]

Some of you might remember me from long ago.  I'm hoping someone can help
me diagnose which bit of hardware is broken on my new AMD Ryzen
Threadripper system.

TL;DR - It's likely that either the motherboard or the CPU on my
expensive new system is DOA, having a compatible working system to swap
bits with might help track down which.

I have been building computers since the early '80s, sometimes
professionally.  So it is unlikely that I broke anything.

This is what I ordered from Newegg -

CPU: AMD Threadripper 3990X 2.9 GHz 64-Core Processor
Motherboard: MSI Creator TRX40
RAM: G.Skill Trident Z Neo 256 GB (8 x 32 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory
Video: Sapphire Radeon RX 5600 XT BE 6 GB PULSE
Storage: Seagate FireCuda 520 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME SSD
PSU: be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1500W, 80 PLUS Titanium efficiency
CPU cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler
Extra fan: Noctua A15 HS-PWM 140 mm black fan
Case: be quiet! Dark Base 700 ATX Mid Tower Case

The RAM hasn't arrived yet, but it's in Brisbane at least, everything
else arrived early last week.  So while I waited I got a stick of the
cheapest compatible RAM from Umart.

I have put the PSU and motherboard in the case, plugged in the CPU,
installed the CPU cooler and the extra fan, added the single stick of RAM
to the RAM socket the motherboard manual says to put it in, wired up
everything, plugged in the graphics card.  Everything except the storage,
coz I want to boot it from USB first to test the rest.

The four diagnostic LEDs on the motherboard tell me the CPU isn't working
or is missing.  From what I can tell, those wont bother testing the rest
(DRAM, GPU, BOOT) until it has a working CPU.

The two digit debug code on the motherboard flickers quickly through some
numbers, and rests on 10.  From my understanding, this means the CPU
didn't get past it's first initialisation.  That might be wrong.

I know that the first BIOS didn't support 3990X, and I also know that
this motherboard can flash it's BIOS without needing the CPU and RAM
plugged in, so I tried that.  I have now tried all six versions of the
BIOS, the only difference is the first one shows 02 instead of 10.  I
have also been clearing CMOS before and after BIOS upgrades.

After chatting with MSI for a bit, they suggested I plug in a known
working Threadripper.  These things are expensive, I don't have one
laying around.  The motherboard only supports Threadrippers.

With Newegg I have 30 days to send bits back for replacement, but
everything came from the other side of the planet, even the stuff that
started closer to home went via USA.  I don't want to spend weeks waiting
for bits to slowly circle the globe several times and end up going beyond
my 30 days coz no parts swap has ended up with a working system.

So I'm hoping one of you has a working Threadripper system, and would be
willing to help me out with some part swaps until we figure out what is
broken amongst my parts.

Those that remember me might recall that I walked to HUMBUG meetings with
my entire desktop system in my backpack, and may even recall that I have
lugged that and the rest of the meeting network equipment while I was
secretary or vice president.  Alas this system is just too big to fit
into my pack, even though it's light enough.  So who ever helps me out
will need a car.  Also, my current home is too small to have two computer
systems in bits on my work table, you might need to bring me and my
computer bits to you.  I'm in Woolloongabba.

The RAM arrived in Brisbane at 3 AM this morning, I'm gonna stay at home
until it's delivered, might not be today.  By then I hope I have found
someone willing to let me swap parts with their working Threadripper
system until we figure out what's broken in mine.
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