Topic: Beeping! ARGH!

[RGraves]

Well, I got a replacement CPU today.  Same type as before (P4 2.4ghz w. HTT  533/800mhz FSB)  Plugged it all in, powered it all up... and got more than i did before.

Well, not much more.  I am getting a somewhat long beep followed by a second of silence and another long beep.  This repeats.  I have checked my RAM a thousand times (since im used to the beeping being a ram problem) and yet, I still have the right kind and they are in the right position.

So I checked the case off alarm... just unplugged it lol.  Nothing.  checked the CPU, its securely in, made sure all my ram and boards were secrure.  I don't get it.  And the mobo company isnt that helpful with its huge LACK of phone number for tech support.  =/

Anyone here have any experience with DFI boards?  With the company in general?

Thanks again!

-Robert

[Sandra]

Can you enter the bios screen this time Robert or is it not even allowing that?
You are the only person I know of with that mobo.
Do you know which bios it is, AMI, AWARD etc ?

[RGraves]

No, no actual print on the screen.  But with past experience, the beeping usually doesnt allow the screen, and is almost always RAM related.

the bios is AWARD driven.

Do you happen to know what the exact effect of the case off switch is?  This is the first case and mobo i have seen that have them.  *is wondering about that thing*

-Robert

[Sandra]

I just had a look on here Robert but the AWARD bios code doesnt seem to list it as you describe :

http://www.spurdens.freeserve.co.uk/pc/postbeeps.htm

I would have thought that it was the video card if its not actually getting to the initial memory check screen.

The last type of bios on that page has 2 long beeps as a bad or missing video card but the AWARD doesnt say so  

[RGraves]

"Continuous beeping, each lasting about three seconds. The beeping does not stop. Seems to be CPU related"

"Repeating (endless loop) - Memory error Check for improperly seated or missing memory"

Got these off of http://bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm

the beeping I'm here (just itmed) is 6 seconds beep, 4 seconds silence infinite loop.  Sounds lmore like the second beep definiteion to me, but then again, im biased, since i want it to be memory lol =P

[RGraves]

Forgot to mention, the second one is the only one that AWARD specifies is valid, the first was sent in by someone who thinks they had that experience... but even if it is RAM... =/  should work >.<

[Sandra]

The case open switch is just usually an audible beep or a light to tell you that the case is open Robert so that shouldnt affect the function of the PC whether its connected or not :doggie:

As for the memory or video card have you tried any others to check if its either of those ?

The other thing I can suggest is to remove any other PCI cards such as modems or sound or ethernet that arent needed at the moment and try it with just one stick of ram in initially  

[RGraves]

I have been avoiding removing peripherals like the plague... but i guess it cant be helped.  I'll have to get back to you on it though, may take some time.

[RGraves]

Well, i went through, peice by peice, and nothing new to report.  Its either the mobo, cpu, or ram at this point (unless its the psu, which i doubt) so first i will assume that the cpu (being new) is OK, and that its the ram... my friend is letting me borrow a 512mb stick of pc2700 ddr to try instead of my pc3200, we'll see how it goes....

thanks all, I'll keep you posted

-Robert

[RGraves]

Well, its definitely RAM.  I shoved my friends Kingston 512 mb DDR333 chip and my system booted up smooth as silk.  I've read my motherboards manual about fifty times (trying not to exagerate) and I just cannot figure out why it wont work with my RAM.  I bought 2 256mb DDR400 chips, they are supported when running a processor with 800mhz bus speed, which I have.  I dont get it.  Oh well.  Suppose I should just buy the DDR333 chips then.

Thanks all.  =)

[Adept]

Check with your motherboard manufacturer.

Most motherboards only support a small number of specific manufacturer's DDR400 sticks

[Simon]

Could it be possible that you had a faulty memory stick?  Would you be able to try your memory sticks in your mates machine, Robert?  At least if one of them is proved dodgy, you might get your money back.

[RGraves]

Unortunately, I can't try them out in another machine.  I'm still planning to return the chips though, I think I should be able to get my money back, but we'll see.  If not... well, there is always E-Bay or some small shop near my house that buys and sells computer parts.

As for checking with my mobo manufacturer, I have e-mailed them, but I have tried that already (this was the second time) and I never got an answer the first time.  They also don't seem to have any customer service or tech support lines.  None in the monual, and no obvious ones on the site either.  =/

Doesn't bode well, in my opinion.  Oh well, that's the breaks.