First time build, asrock z79 pro3, 3 long beeps no ram, 4 short beeps ram installed

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Hello! This is my first computer build and im feeling overwhelmed
My components:
Mobo: Asrock z97 pro3
CPU: Intel i3 4150
OS: windows 8.1 (not installed yet because it wont connect to the monitor)
No GPU
PSU: seasonic 620w

When i try to do a test boot it gives me 3 long beeps when no ram is inserted which ive read is just because of that, but when i try to install the ram it gives me 4 short beeps no matter which dimm slot i insert them into. I have 2 1866 RAM sticks.
Any help would be so appreciated, thank you so much for your time!

Edit: Theres more to this than I thought. I cant connect my monitor to my computer, no flash screen no anything. Also it crashes about half a minute after turning it on.

Richard Ricardo · Oct 23, 2014

What do the 4 short beeps describe? Also, do you have an extra computer or a friend that will allow you to install your RAM into their system to see if it works?

Thelps · Oct 23, 2014

What's the make and model of RAM that you're using?

The ASRock Z97 Pro3 only supports DDR3 DIMMs.

To quote the manual:

"It is not allowed to install a DDR or DDR2 memory module into a DDR3 slot;
otherwise, this motherboard and DIMM may be damaged."

Richard Ricardo · Oct 23, 2014

Thelps :

Well you can't physically install them anyway because they are shaped differently.

Thelps · Oct 23, 2014

Oddly, this Motherboard gives highest boot priority to a RAM configuration populating slots DDR3_A2 and DDR3_B2.

That means put your RAM sticks in the second and fourth slots.

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Richard Ricardo :

The 4 short beeps describe system timer failure, which I do not know exactly what that means, and i do have an extra computer but it only supports ddr2 ram and this is ddr3

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Thelps :

Ive tried installing in those slot (for the dual channel memory) and I still get the same 4 short beeps

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Richard Ricardo :

Also when i refer to the beeps, i mean the test boot with the speaker installed

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Thelps :

The make of the RAM is G.Skill Ares 1866 ddr3

Thelps · Oct 23, 2014

It's possible your present BIOS Version does not support your CPU.

ASRock boards are known to have some CPU incompatibilities that were patched out by more recent BIOS versions.

If you can get to a different PC and download the latest BIOS Version for your Motherboard, place it in the Root Directory (not in a folder) of your USB Thumb Drive and plug that drive into your Motherboard then you can update your BIOS to the latest version.

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Thelps :

I cant even get this computer to do a flash screen, I cant get to the bios. Would that be a problem with the video card and it not allowing the computer to connect to the monitor? I just tried to boot it up again, it will start but no logo or anything, and it will shut off around 30 seconds after being turned on. and I havent been able to put my operating system on it yet becasue it wont connect to my monitor

Richard Ricardo · Oct 23, 2014

The system timer failure indicates an issue with the motherboard. Return the computer if you can and get a new one to avoid a headache trying to fix it.

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Richard Ricardo :

Ugh I just ordered this mobo, thanks a bundle though!

Thelps · Oct 23, 2014

Bagelwaffle :

R Ricardo is correct that the System Timer error can indicate a bad chip on the Motherboard. However, there are a number of threads showing this same problem with ASRock Motherboards and a return of the hardware resulted in the same issue with a replacement model.

Try booting the Motherboard with the Monitor connected to the Integrated Graphics Port and with the Graphics Card removed. See if you get a Flash Screen then.

If the Motherboard continues to power itself off even when displaying a Flash Screen that most likely indicates a poorly installed CPU Cooler resulting in the CPU overheating and initiating an emergency shut down to prevent component damage. You'll need to reseat the CPU Cooler after reapplying Thermal Paste.

That was the cause of auto-shutdowns on my very first build.

Richard Ricardo · Oct 23, 2014

Bagelwaffle :

Thelps :

That issue with the Asrock motherboards doesn't produce beeps. It just doesn't display an image but still boots the computer. His computer won't even boot.

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Thelps :

Bagelwaffle :

R Ricardo is correct that the System Timer error can indicate a bad chip on the Motherboard. However, there are a number of threads showing this same problem with ASRock Motherboards and a return of the hardware resulted in the same issue with a replacement model.

Try booting the Motherboard with the Monitor connected to the Integrated Graphics Port and with the Graphics Card removed. See if you get a Flash Screen then.

If the Motherboard continues to power itself off even when displaying a Flash Screen that most likely indicates a poorly installed CPU Cooler resulting in the CPU overheating and initiating an emergency shut down to prevent component damage. You'll need to reseat the CPU Cooler after reapplying Thermal Paste.

That was the cause of auto-shutdowns on my very first build.

Just tried again, the computer doesnt shut down by itself anymore after reseating the cpu fan but it still wont bring up the bios or the flash screen. any more tips?

Thelps · Oct 23, 2014

Bagelwaffle :

Thelps :

Just tried again, the computer doesnt shut down by itself anymore after reseating the cpu fan but it still wont bring up the bios or the flash screen. any more tips?

Did you try to boot with the monitor attached to the Integrated Graphics Port?

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Thelps :

Bagelwaffle :

Did you try to boot with the monitor attached to the Integrated Graphics Port?

Yeah I did, still no flash screen. If it adds to anything the monitor knows its connected because the message "please check video cable" goes away but then its just a black screen

Thelps · Oct 23, 2014

Try spamming the 'Delete' key anyway immediately after power up, just in case there's a splash screen fault.

Try booting with RAM in slots 2 and 4, and no Graphics Card connected.

If that doesn't work try the same configuration but with RAM only in slot 1. Then with RAM in Slots 1 and 3.

Try Resetting the CMOS by holding down the CMOS Button on the Motherboard or by removing the Motherboard's Battery for 2 minutes then replacing it.

Retry all above Boot configurations after that process.

At the very least this will help confirm a faulty component. Be it either RAM or the Motherboard itself.

Bagelwaffle · Oct 23, 2014

Thelps :

I tried all of those methods extensively and no change, so does this mean its a fault mobo or which component is fault at this point?

Thelps · Oct 23, 2014

Bagelwaffle :

If possible test the RAM in a different system although you've mentioned that's not convenient.

You could also try different RAM in the Motherboard.

Ensure your 24 Pin ATX Power Connector is firmly attached and that the 8 Pin CPU Power Connector is also secure.

I forgot to mention: When resetting the CMOS via the button or by removing the battry - Ensure the PC is disconnected from power and, ideally, that the 24 Pin ATX Power Connector on the Motherboard is removed.

Try booting the Motherboard with only the CPU installed and no RAM or other devices attached. Note the beep code.

Try booting the Motherboard with RAM installed. With the same beep code as before that suggests faulty RAM.

Bagelwaffle · Oct 24, 2014

Thelps :

Bagelwaffle :

If possible test the RAM in a different system although you've mentioned that's not convenient.

You could also try different RAM in the Motherboard.

Ensure your 24 Pin ATX Power Connector is firmly attached and that the 8 Pin CPU Power Connector is also secure.

I forgot to mention: When resetting the CMOS via the button or by removing the battry - Ensure the PC is disconnected from power and, ideally, that the 24 Pin ATX Power Connector on the Motherboard is removed.

Try booting the Motherboard with only the CPU installed and no RAM or other devices attached. Note the beep code.

Try booting the Motherboard with RAM installed. With the same beep code as before that suggests faulty RAM.

ive reset the cmos, and tried booting it several more times. When no RAM is intalled it gives 3 long beeps in a continuous loop, and when I have the RAM installed it gives 4 short beeps then no more. I still get no flash screen, and i contacted asrock and they said it was a bios error. I would love to get into the bios but I have no video output coming from this. I am using a rather dated monitor, could that be an issue as well?

Thelps · Oct 24, 2014

What's the brand and model of your RAM? It's possible it's incompatible with your Motherboard.

Bagelwaffle · Oct 24, 2014

Thelps :

The brand is G.skill Ares and its 1866 ddr3, and yes I dont think its compatible. I just messaged asrock and they said it wasnt in the QVL and to try a different series of RAM. I will do this and get back to you on the results!

Thelps · Oct 24, 2014

PC Part Picker lists the G.Skill Ares series as compatible with your Motherboard though it always makes sense to defer to the manufacturer.

Source: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/memory/?compatible_with=asrock-motherboard-z97pro3#sort=a0

I strongly doubt an older Monitor would be the cause. If the connector can interface with your Motherboard then it should display. It's plausible your Motherboard might be outputting a resolution the Monitor can't display but that still doesn't explain the POST beep codes.

It will be interesting to see what the actual cause is!

First time build, asrock z79 pro3, 3 long beeps no ram, 4 short beeps ram installed

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