Please Help - PC building trouble!

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

While building my first PC yesterday, I experienced some trouble - every thing on the computer would turn on except for the CPU fan, and then, after about 15 seconds die. The computer would then turn itself back on after 15 seconds for another 15 seconds and die. After checking ALL the wiring and power supply, I finally decided it must be an issue with something on the motherboard. I performed a test that I saw online, where you connect just the power supply, RAM, CPU, and graphics card (I'm not using one) to the motherboard, and then connect a small speaker. The next thing you do is short the two power pins on your motherboard using a screwdriver, and it is supposed to beep so that you know everything is working. When I performed this test, however, the speaker rapidly beep about 20 times, and then would stop for about 10 seconds, and then start again. I don't know what this is telling me, but do any of you?

Thanks so much!

Edit: I just realized that the reason the CPU fan wasn't turning on was because there was a loose wire touching it... But I'm still getting those beeps when I short the power pins.

sethwilliam · Jun 1, 2013

In your motherboard Manuel there should be a page that tells you how many beeps mean what motherboard do you have?

smorizio · Jun 1, 2013

Make sure the mb not grounding out on the mb tray.check that the four or eight pin power plug near the CPU is connected. Check the bios rev of the mb see if it post your CPU. Check your ram to see if it on the mb qal list.

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

sethwilliam :

Hmmm... I can't find a page that explains that

Do you know what the test I performed is called?

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

smorizio :

Thanks so much. I checked to make sure the mobo is not grounding on the mb tray and the eight pin power connector is connected. Unfortunately I do not know what the "bios rev of the mb" is (I'm only 14) nor what the mb qal is. Would you mind explaining? Thanks again

sethwilliam · Jun 1, 2013

Well now that the CPU fan is working Does the CPU turn on? The beeps always happen I believe.
It's called "POST" power on self test, where the mobo checks to make sure everything works correctly. If it doesn't it gives a certain amount of beeps(it stills beeps though even if it does work, it's just the number of beeps that are player changed). Which mobo do you have?

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

sethwilliam :

How would I know if the CPU is on? I have a Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155 GA-Z77-DS3H and an Intel core i3-3225. Thanks so much for all your help. Also after the 20 or so beeps happen, the whole system (power supply included) turns off, and then back on again after about 10 seconds.

sethwilliam · Jun 1, 2013

Believe the system turns off if the mobo fails the POST test
If you can't find the page for the beeps there is a general list here of what the beeps mean
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Edit: just read up a bunch of things on your problem. Found out that your mobo Manuel does NOT come with a section covering the beeps and what they mean so just use the link I provided above. Secondly, your mobo is a ATX mobo which means it should have 9 standoffs "the bronze colored tgings you placed in between Your case and mobo then screwed in the mobo. Check to make sure you have all nine placed and screwed in. 3rd when you boot up do you see anything onscreen? Are you hooked up with a VGA or hdmi cable?

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

sethwilliam :

Ok thanks... Would I look under AMI beep codes, AWARD beep codes, or IBM beep codes. Also, the only beep code that matches mine under any of those categories is the AWARD beep code labelled "any other beeps" and is supposed to be a RAM problem.

sethwilliam · Jun 1, 2013

Ok think I found your problem!
If it is indeed 20 beeps like you say then it is probably something with the ram.
How much ram do you have and how many pieces?
Like 2 sticks of 4gb or what?
And what section of the mobo do you have them in?
Right next to each other or how? Do you have them in the white or blue lots?

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

sethwilliam :

Ok I tried to count the beeps and there are maybe 35-40. I have 2x 2gb corsair value select 1333 ram placed in the white slots like the manual says...

Edit: I finally managed to count the beeps - 57 of them in about 15 seconds

sethwilliam · Jun 1, 2013

Ok so the Manuel SAYS that for 2 pieces you put it into those two slots yes? It must be correct. Check again to make sure.
Next make sure the ram is properly on place. There should be two tabs, one on each side of the ram. Check if both are hooked into the notches in the ram. If they are just push down on both sides of the ram at the same time just to make sure it's fully in. Then check the other one and repeat

sethwilliam · Jun 1, 2013

Doesn't boot up after that take one of the RAM out. The one in slot 2 of dual channel. NOT the Ram in slot two but the 2nd ram that you put in.

EX: the blue and white slots there are two. Take out the one farthest from the CPU.( the last white one ) Then try booting up. If still doesn't work replace the current ram with the one you took out. This way we can see if the ram is dead or maybe your mobo just doesn't like the two.

Edit: you don't haves graphics card right? How is your system connected to the moniter what cables?

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

sethwilliam :

Ok I tries all those things unsuccessfully... Maybe it is defective RAM or something... I am connected to the monitor via a VGA cable, but when I turn on the computer, I don't even get a picture on the screen... Hmmm

smorizio · Jun 1, 2013

Have you tried taking te mb out of the case and with one dimm and only onboard video see if the mb posts. You want rue out dead shorts and miss wires.

sethwilliam · Jun 1, 2013

O through this
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-perform-steps-posting-post-boot-video-problems

If the system keeps shutting itself down then something's not working.
If after following that guide it still doesn't work. I'd consider getting tech support.
But if anything you do causes the machine to stay on then good. If it stays on then that's perfect. If it keeps turning off I'm sorry I don't know what to do. Is there a PC store near by? Maybe a bestbuy you could get to look at it.

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

sethwilliam :

Ok I'll give that a try as soon as I get back home. If that doesn't work I'll just have to bring it to a computer store I guess. Thanks so much for all your help.

sethwilliam · Jun 1, 2013

King Hackintosh :

No problem, glad to help. Just wish I could have fixed it :/
Good luck With your computer.
Remember these parts have like a 3 year warranty on them so if the store owner says they are defective you need the items back, put then in the original packaging and set up a RMA at the company's website for whatever part is broken.
Message me if you need anything.

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

sethwilliam :

King Hackintosh :

No problem, glad to help. Just wish I could have fixed it :/
Good luck With your computer.
Remember these parts have like a 3 year warranty on them so if the store owner says they are defective you need the items back, put then in the original packaging and set up a RMA at the company's website for whatever part is broken.
Message me if you need anything.

Ok thank you so much for your help. I'm going to bring the computer to a store as soon as I can. I really appreciate your help!

King Hackintosh · Jun 1, 2013

smorizio :

Ok thanks I'll also give that a try...

Please Help - PC building trouble!

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