Crosshair VI Hero boot error code CC and C8 (repeating steps 14 and 15)

[Reaverman]

CONFIGURATION
MB: Asus ROG Crosshair VI Hero
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600, BOX cooler
Overclocking: no
BIOS: latest
RAM: Kingston HyperX 32GB KIT DDR4 2400MHz CL15 FURY
GPU: nVidia GeForce GTX 960
SSD: Corsair Force Series MP510 960GB (M.2)
Power: Corsair TX750M
OS: Win 10 Home, latest update, it's the only OS on the drive

ISSUE DESCRIPTION
Long cold boot (40-50s) -> onboard LED shows the pre-POST boot is stuck on states 14 and 15 for a long time, then throws error CC and C8
This repeats a few times, then boot continues to POST.
I was not able to find errors CC and C8 anywhere online or in the operations manual.

VIDEO OF ISSUE


MITIGATIONS TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS
- BIOS update
- CMOS reset
- all hardware removed except for essentials
- RAM to different slots, only 1 stick, tried all slots with both sticks

[RedSector73]

CC - Invalid CMOS jumper setting code
C8 - IDK
14 - Pre-memory CPU initialization is started
15 - Pre-memory System Agent initialization is started

14 & 15 doesn't really matter as moves past them.

The advice given for CC is
Push the switch down on the back of the motherboard . under the mouse and keyboard connector.if its up then its in clear cmos mode and wont boot.

Source is http://www.asusqcodes.com/index.php?inputCode=CC

Not likely to be ram issue.

[Reaverman]

Many thanks for your reply!

CC - Invalid CMOS jumper setting code
C8 - IDK
14 - Pre-memory CPU initialization is started
15 - Pre-memory System Agent initialization is started

14 & 15 doesn't really matter as moves past them.

Thanks, I thought 14-15 may be related because they are displayed for a considerably longer time than any other Q-LED code.

The advice given for CC is
Push the switch down on the back of the motherboard . under the mouse and keyboard connector.if its up then its in clear cmos mode and wont boot.

I'm afraid I do not understand this advice. Which switch? There is no switch under the mouse and key connector, only above - the one with CMOS text. I used it to reset CMOS but no luck. Also, my computer boots in the end, it just takes a lot of time.

Source is http://www.asusqcodes.com/index.php?inputCode=CC

This link does not work for me, it says Site Not Found

[RedSector73]

If your computer eventually boots than it is not throwing an error. The amount of time it takes can indicate something is up. I want to test something. Pull your soundcard out and see if boots much more quickly. let me know if this makes it faster or does nothing.

[Reaverman]

If your computer eventually boots than it is not throwing an error. The amount of time it takes can indicate something is up. I want to test something. Pull your soundcard out and see if boots much more quickly. let me know if this makes it faster or does nothing.

As I mentioned in my original post, I tried removing all non-essential hardware (including the sound card) but there was no effect.