No POST, faulty ram?

radiantjet · Jun 28, 2013

Today I tired booting up my first build. I got 3 long beeps, which I think is faulty ram. I Moved the ram into the second slot, and received no beeps. Back to first slot. No beeps. All the fans are working.

Since i'm not getting any POST beeps, is it safe to assume I have a faulty ram?

(I've also reset my mobo's CMOS, that didn't fix it.)

techsamurai · Jun 28, 2013

radiantjet :

Hi,

Yes, it seems RAM at fault. I'd suggest trying a re-connect of all cables, and then connect the PC to power, but do not switch on, then clear CMOS, has worked for me on couple of machines. And if you get the 3 beeps again then do not try anymore, replace the RAM.

Good luck!

festerovic · Jun 28, 2013

You are right, 3 long beeps typically means bad RAM.

Other suspects of not posting:

CPU not supported by mobo
CPU or RAM at incorrect speed
Graphics card not inserted correctly
Graphics card power adapters not plugged in, or PSU is very insufficient.

clutchc · Jun 28, 2013

Is the rest of the PC complete? CPU installed? Is this during breadboarding or as a completed system? The reason I ask, is because so many folks try to boot without even installing the processor. If You can, boot to a memtest disk and run a full pass on each stick individually.
http://www.memtest.org/

radiantjet · Jun 28, 2013

It stopped POSTing even with the GPU installed, so I don't think that's why.

Could it be the mobo? I only suspect it could be the ram after I heard the 3 long beeps the first time.

radiantjet · Jun 28, 2013

clutchc :

CPU installed, completed system, and all parts compatible. I can't boot at all, the monitor displays the "no-input" screen then goes to sleep. Like I said before, I can't even hear the POST beeps.

festerovic · Jun 28, 2013

While the RAM may or may not be faulty, it just might be incompatible with the mobo. Some boards are picky. Its possible that you could have zapped the ram with static while handling it if you didnt have anti static guards...

festerovic · Jun 28, 2013

Also, which CPU and which mobo are we talking about?

radiantjet · Jun 28, 2013

festerovic :

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113329

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130661
They are both FM2.

clutchc · Jun 28, 2013

I would suspect the motherboard being defective. Breadboarded the system outside the case with just CPU/Cooler, RAM. PSU, Monitor connected to on-board video and try to boot to BIOS?

Tradesman1 · Jun 28, 2013

If you think it's the DRAM, sounds like a single stick? Try a different stick, can prob borrow one from a friend, if it doen's boot with the other other stick, then you look at mobo/CPU, check the CPU install, lined up right , no excess thermal compound in socket or bottom of CPU, no bent/broken pins in socket

radiantjet · Jun 28, 2013

techsamurai :

Tradesman1 :

Yeah its a single stick. I think what i'm gonna do is go to my local PC repair shop and buy a stick of ram and try that out. If it doesn't work I can be sure its the mobo.

Tradesman1 · Jun 28, 2013

Let me know, I'm monitoring your thread, see if we can come up with a fix

radiantjet · Jun 28, 2013

Tradesman1 :

Thank you! I'll let you know as soon as I get a new stick.

radiantjet · Jun 29, 2013

I think I may have found the answer. Today, I complete removed the RAM and booted it up. I got three long beeps indicating a RAM issue. I placed the RAM back in and, what do you know, no beeps. Based on this information can I safely conclude the issue lies with the RAM, and not the motherboard?

Tradesman1 · Jun 29, 2013

You placed it back in and No beeps - did it boot though? If no beeps then then DRAM passed muster, may not have been fully seated before, if it still doesn't boot then may be a different issue

radiantjet · Jun 29, 2013

Tradesman1 :

When I place it back in it does not boot, no beeps. I get a black screen on my monitor. So there is something wrong with a different component?

clutchc · Jun 29, 2013

Ram or MB. Going to be hard to test the RAM if it won't boot to a CD or flash drive to run memtest. What is the memory you bought?

radiantjet · Jun 29, 2013

clutchc :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148660

Right there ^

I figured it was a RAM or mobo issue.

radiantjet · Jun 29, 2013

Ummm... My motherboard page shows the list of compatible RAM

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/FM2-A55M-E33.html#/?div=MEMSupport

Crucial is not on there.

clutchc · Jun 29, 2013

radiantjet :

That normally isn't an issue unless you are populating all the slots with the fastest memory the board will accept and O/C'ing it. I just wanted to be sure it wasn't some no-name memory. Have you tried the bread boarding suggested?

radiantjet · Jun 29, 2013

[/quotemsg]

That normally isn't an issue unless you are populating all the slots with the fastest memory the board will accept and O/C'ing it. I just wanted to be sure it wasn't some no-name memory. Have you tried the bread boarding suggested?[/quotemsg]

Yes, same thing occurs =(

I'm going to buy stick of RAM and try that one.

clutchc · Jun 29, 2013

You might want to buy another stick identical to the first one you bought; same timings, speed, etc. That way if it ends up being the MB, you will have a matched pair of sticks to utilize dual channel. MB's are the most likely culprit because they contain the majority of components to have a problem.

radiantjet · Jun 29, 2013

clutchc :

That is a very good idea. Thank you for your help!

radiantjet · Jun 29, 2013

I bought some new RAM. DDR3-1333. Kingston hyperX blue. Same issue occurs. No beeps, No POST, blank monitor screen. If I am correct, I can now be sure the mobo is dead?

No POST, faulty ram?

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