Asus GPU Servers Failing to Power On

Root Causes

1. Processor installation issues
   
2. Faulty Add-on Devices
3. Power delivery
   
4. Motherboard faults,
   
5. GPU installation
   
6. Cabling issues during assembly.
   

Troubleshooting Steps 

1. Disconnect the power supply and remove all PSUs from the server 

      

1. Detach the top cover by sliding it 
   

      

1. Detach addon components from the server, including PCIe devices(GPUs,Lan card,RAID cards), storages(SSDs,NVME,SAS), and the accompanying SlimPCIe and U.2 cables.
   

      

1. To gain access to the CPU, remove the CPU AIR Duct by undoing the four screws.
   

      

1. When accessing the CPU, ensure that all screws on the CPU cooler (sink) are fully tightened. If the cooler is not properly tightened, the CPU may not be properly fixed as well.

      

1. Improper CPU installation might cause a BIOS setting error and boot difficulty, thus clearing the CMOS is the only solution. 

      

1. Disconnect PSUs, CPU, and RAM from the server before clearing the CMOS.
   

      

1. CMOS is a battery powered chip that stores the BIOS settings and the system clock.Resetting the BIOS or CMOS settings can clear any corrupted or incorrect configuration that may cause boot errors, compatibility issues, or instability. 
2. To reset the CMOS, locate the CMOS battery and RTC jumper locations on the motherboard.
   

      

1. Once you have found the locations, set the RTC jumper to clear(2 to 3) and remove the battery, leaving it for at least three minutes to clear completely.

      

1. After three minutes, return the RTC Jumper location to Normal(1to2), the battery to its normal position,
   
1. Put the Jumper to its normal position
   
2. Put the battery 
2.  After clearing the CMOS, insert the CPU into the CPU1 socket and test the server with one memory module.

      

1. If the system is turned on, turn it off and install the remaining components one by one. Make sure the problem is not caused by a component failure.
1. insert the CPU2 and the memories and turn on
   
2. connect the Raid card and the SLIMPCIe cables and turn on 
   
3. insert the add-on cards (GPUs and LAN cards) and turn on 
   
4. Insert the storages and turn on the server

1. Finally, ensure that all of the devices are detected.
   

      

      

Other Root causes 

1. Faulty Add-on Devices

   If the server fails to power on, follow the diagnostic steps mentioned above.
   A short circuit in any add-on device can cause the BIOS settings to reset and the server to enter standby mode.

   Recommended Steps:

   1. Clear the CMOS to restore the system to its default configuration.

   2. Once the server powers on normally, reinstall add-on components one by one (e.g., GPU, RAID card, NIC, etc.) to identify the faulty device.

   3. Replace the defective component if necessary.

   2. Mainboard Issues

   If the system is detectable in BMC, perform the following steps in order:

   1. Update BIOS and BMC firmware to the latest versions.

   2. If the issue persists, clear the CMOS and retest.

   3. If both actions fail to resolve the problem, raise a support ticket with the ASUS support team via the official website.

   Ensure the ticket includes:

   • Server serial number

   • Current BIOS and BMC firmware versions

   • Detailed component list

   • Complete problem description (symptoms, test results, and any observed behavior)

Critical Notice

These troubleshooting methods are only carried out by a professional.