A user on Reddit reports about his expensive high-end PC, which no longer starts after a failed BIOS update. Despite numerous repair attempts, he is now seeking help to get his computer running again.
On Reddit, the PC builder shares the endless odyssey with his PC. He earns his living with 3D graphics and wanted to build a particularly powerful workstation. Cost: around $20,000 – about €17,000. The dream PC was meant to handle not only every rendering project with two RTX 4090 graphics cards, a huge amount of RAM, and an extremely expensive CPU but also be future-proof.
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Between High-Tech and Mystery
These components are installed: Initially, the computer ran stably, first on an open test bench and then installed in a Corsair 9000D.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7975WX
- Graphics cards: Two NVIDIA RTX 4090 (currently only one installed)
- Memory: 512 GB DDR5 ECC-RAM
- Motherboard: ASUS Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE
- Case: Corsair 9000D
- Power Supply: MSI MEG Ai1600T Titanium (originally Silverstone HELA 2050R)
- Storage: Two Corsair MP700 PRO NVMe SSDs with 2 TB and 4 TB (not installed yet)
- Accessories: Extensive custom water cooling, UPS, spare PSU, premium cables
This is how the failure occurred: After seven months, disaster struck. One of the SSDs was not detected, and the user tried to resolve the issue with a BIOS update. Instead of using the recommended flashback function, he used a tool within the running system. The update froze, the computer crashed, and could only be forcefully powered down.
Since then, the PC fails to start properly and hangs at Q-Code 92 during boot-up.
How was the problem addressed? On suspicion, the user sent the motherboard for repair and received a replacement board, but the error persisted. Even replacing the RTX 4090 did not yield any improvement. The originally installed card was later inspected by a repair service with no findings.
As a result, he replaced nearly every component: new CPU, new RAM, new power supply. He tested different RAM slots, rebuilt the system in minimal setup, flashed multiple BIOS versions, and disconnected all peripherals, but the system continued to freeze.
In total, he had three different ASUS motherboards in use. Two of them were replacement units via ASUS customer service, but none could get the PC running. A repair service suspected a defect in the board’s chipset but could not confirm it due to a lack of suitable test hardware.
What is the cause of the failure? The cause of the problem remains a mystery. Q-Code 92 indicates a fault in communication between the CPU, motherboard, graphics card, and power supply, particularly in the area of PCIe connections. A severe defect in the motherboard or even a BIOS problem that cannot be resolved despite multiple attempts is possible.
As the exact source of the failure is unclear, troubleshooting remains difficult and frustrating. The user already suspects that even the replacement motherboards from ASUS could be faulty. Without access to special diagnostic tools, it is nearly impossible for him to find the defect himself.
What happens next? Despite countless hours filled with frustration and hope for a solution, the error persists. Now he can only rely on the help of the community, hoping that someone can crack the mystery of Q-Code 92 and finally bring the dream PC back to life.
Meanwhile, the first proposed solutions from the community are gathering under the Reddit post. The magazine tom’sHardware has already reported on the case and suggested several solution ideas. Whether one of them is the crucial hint remains to be seen. We will keep the story in view and update the article as soon as there are new developments.
Despite all high-end hardware, this case shows how sensitive PCs can be to errors, even with the greatest effort. Another user approached the topic quite differently: Instead of using expensive components, the user simply installed as many fans as possible. Yet whether that really helps is disputed.
