3 beeps on startup

skepas

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Nov 12, 2013
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So today I decided to upgrade my total RAM memory from 4GB to 8GB by buying one more ram! (Yay!)
So I took out my stock ram carefully to check its specifications (1333mhz,1.5v,Kingston) so I can buy a RAM stick with the same specs! I put the RAM back.
I went to the shop,bought my new stick and came home to plug it. I put the new one in and i start up the system. And guess what? Yes,3 beeps. I know that this means Memory Problem but why does this happen now? It was working 30 minutes ago!
By the way, I can use freely my new RAM but without my stock RAM.
Any help guys is appreciated!
[Please don't tell me I have to buy a new RAM :(]
 
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I don't speek greek but there was a tom's hardware thing where they listed two site for computer parts in greece

Plaisio.gr
E Shop

are the names I make no claims of legitimacy or anything else mearly passing along information posted elsewhere.

Supahos

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Try putting your old ram closest to the cpu, and the new ram next to it. Also bump dram voltage to 1.55~1.6v and see if that fixes anything. or are you saying it won't work with the new stick by itself?

If this is the case update the bios on the computer to see if the new stick has different settings, set timings to 9-9-9-27. and see if this fixes anything.
 
Hi,
Without being 100 % (if you would of included you mobo model, old and new memory specs) Memory is not compatible or cannot be paired with the old ram.

Try using the new ram only.
Now to pair the ram: you need same voltage, speed and also latency (cas), the size is also important but in your case it should be fine (all 4 X 2 GB)
 

skepas

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Thanks for your replies!
Now, I went to the shop and asked for a 4gb ram 1333Mhz 1.5V and he gave me that one.
The new one by ITSELF it works fine (this is the one i am using now)
The old one ( stock) doesnt work either with the new one or by itself.
When I came home I put the old one alone so I can see everything is fine. So then the beeping started, without even putting the new one.
I have seen in a forum that if you touch the RAMs' chips you can destroy it by static electrism. I don't know if thats legit because I have changed about 10 RAM sticks in my life without any problem.
By the way, how do I change the voltage? and all these settings you told me to?

*Also how can i check the specs of my RAM so I can provide you more info? dxdiag works?*
 

Supahos

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Most likely what happened is you put in the new memory and it lowered the timings to the new memory speed, and when you put the old kit back it its not defauting back down. (or you could have shocked the stick at some point and ruined it). All of the info we asked you to change is in the bios. Computer should say "hit delete to enter bios" or f2 or f10 or something. Most of the settings should be there.
 

skepas

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No, I actually have never put in the new kit once.
I came home and i put the old one alone and I boot up my pc and it beeped.
I then put both of them, same thing. Now I am using the new one alone. Thats how i can contact you guys :)
 

Supahos

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Not to nitpick but you say you've not put the new stick, then say you have it in now?

Okay back to the original point get into your bios and put your speed to 1333 and 9-9-9-27 or 10-10-10-30 timings and see if that fixes anything with just the old stick. Otherwise you may have killed it in transit.
 

skepas

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I may have confused you guys, and i am sorry about that. Forget about the new RAM.
I put out my old ram then I put it on back again. It had dust in one of its chips so i cleared it with my hand. Then I put it back on again, booted the Pc and then beep beep beep.

 

Supahos

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yikes, the hand dust removal was a bad idea, if you're lucky you got oil on it and can clean it off with some rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab (q tip) on the part that goes in the motherboard if you're unlucky you shocked the stick by doing this, or bent one of the "pins" on the memory. That is the sole reason I always buy memory with a heatspreader so that I can't touch anythign I'm not supposed to :)
 

skepas

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I am afraid that's what happened. I'll try to "clean" it! Thank you very much!!!
By the way do you any 4GB RAM that costs around 20-30 euros?
 

Supahos

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Not sure what country you're in so that limits my answers. Just look online and see what you can find. If I remember exhange rates somewhere around $1=2euros then a 4 gig stick should be an option at 30 euros or less. if the euro value has fallen then I don't know.
 

skepas

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I am in Greece. OK thank you very much!!!
 

Supahos

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I don't speek greek but there was a tom's hardware thing where they listed two site for computer parts in greece

Plaisio.gr
E Shop

are the names I make no claims of legitimacy or anything else mearly passing along information posted elsewhere.
 
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