What does a boot-up without RAM usually look like?

earth159

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I am trying to diagnose a problem with my new build. It is turning on (fans/lights/heatsink) for about 15-20 seconds, with no audio/video output, then restarts, then remains on but with no audio/visual output. I am aware this could be almost any issue (posted this earlier: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2137797/quick-po...) and am trying to isolate the problem. I have taken all the components out at this point- all that is powered is the motherboard, processor + heatsink, and RAM, and the problem is still occurring, implying it is an issue with one of these components.

I seem to remember I had a laptop that started doing this a few years back, and had a bad stick of RAM, so I am wondering if that might be the case here. Unfortunately, I only have one 8GB stick of compatible RAM at the moment, so all I can really do is swap slots with it, which I did and it didn't help anything, still 15 seconds then restart.

It occurred to me to simply remove the RAM and watch how the computer booted- if it didn't turn on at all or did something a lot different, then I'd at least know the ram was doing something/being detected while it was in the slot. The computer acted the exact same way- 15 seconds then reboot with no audio/visual output. So, does that mean the ram IS the issue, or could it still be something else? How would you proceed?

p.s. not getting any beeps or leds from the motherboard as far as I can tell
 
Solution


That is the best way to check that. You are at bare minimum. With only a single stick, it could be bad. If so, that would give...


Hi. Try running one stick at a time. If it works, then try another one and if that doesn't work, then you have a bad stick. Buy a matched set though and not a single stick if that is the case.
 

earth159

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wouldn't that depend on the motherboard? and as I said even when I boot with literally no stick in any DIM slot it is the same as when the ram is in, no beeps
 

earth159

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I would if I could, but unfortunatley I only have the one 8GB that fits, and I've tried it in all the slots in the board. I actually ordered 2x4 but was shipped 1x8 and was hoping to avoid an RMA. I can go get some more RAM but i thought I'd get some input first.
 

earth159

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Thanks for your input, but you gotta read the OP man, I'm already only running the mobo, processor+heatsink+fan, and ram at this point. Monitor into board for onboard graphics. Already took everything else out. So it pretty much has to be a board or RAM issue afaik..

So I guess then probably the board if its not beeping? I'll see if I can figure out if theres some kind of alert code.
 

Somebody should have known better than that. You ordered fine and that would use dual Channel. With a single stick, you lose that. Okay, with the way you have tested it ( breadboarded ) that only leaves the Motherboard or PSU. It could possibly be the CPU. You may want to check that it is mounted properly.
 


That is the best way to check that. You are at bare minimum. With only a single stick, it could be bad. If so, that would give you the same results if you had no sticks in there. The only way to check that is with a second good stick. Had they shipped what you ordered you could have checked that. As it is, you have no way to rule the memory out or in. In the case of memory, you would get one long continuous beep followed by two short beeps if there was a problem. Right now, I believe you are down to two possibles, the MOBO or CPU.
 
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earth159

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Alright, thanks for the help and your time! Its definitely pretty annoying I don't have another stick around, or at least a computer I could plug this stick in to.. I definitely have grounds for not paying restocking if i do send it back at least, just didn't want to deal with all that. Maybe I'll take it down to fry's and see if they'll plug it in to something for me and see if it works, I bought some other stuff for this pc there so they might be nice.

I'm not sure why I'm not getting any beeps from the board, I sent the company (MSI) ta support query to see if there's any diagnostic im missing, it doesn't seem to be covered in the manual.

Next time I'm just gonna buy everything from the local Fry's I think so I can just walk in to return stuff.. already had to RMA a different motherboard for this build. It's getting old shipping things back.
 


Wish I had a Fry's around here or a Micro Center. All we have is Best Buy and hhgregg. You definitely do have grounds for not paying a restocking fee as they didn't send you what you ordered. I've only had problems with one MOBO and that was an EVGA 1366 x58 board. I don't as a rule recommend MSI Boards. I have seen far too many issues with those things. Depending on your budget, you can do wel with ASUS, ASRock, & Gigabyte boards. Fortuanately or maybe unfortunate, I have no shortage of computers around here. Have another desktop running an i7 960 and two working laptops. I have a third laptop, that is waiting for me to replace the motherboard which I have. Just been too busy.