Am I doing the right thing? (CPU or motherboard DOA)

jtenma · May 8, 2015

So I just got all my parts shipped to me. I followed a very thorough video on building my first PC.

When plugging up everything, all I got was 3 long beeps and no video signal for my monitor (dvi).

So I saw jsc's guide for troubleshooting by "breadboarding", but when I remove everything(ram, DVD drive, GPU, keyboard, mouse, etc) but my Asrock fatality h97 and i5 4690 , I immediately still get the 3 beeps. No signal.

I'm guessing it is either the motherboard or CPU, since... That is the only thing hooked up to my PSU anyway?

I'm about to send them back to new egg (both), but I was wondering if I was doing the right thing? Im sending both back because I don't think it is possible to isolate them to see which one it could be? I don't want to take any chances. Only have a laptop and can't test out the CPU on that obviously.

ThatVietGuy · May 8, 2015

For reference - http://www.asrock.com/support/faq.asp?id=286

3 long beeps indicates a memory problem.

If you're using multiple sticks of RAM you can try booting with only one stick installed at a time. If one fails out of the rest then you have your answer.

Or even more simply - make sure you've pushed in the RAM all the way until the clips on the sides clamp down.

MarkW · May 8, 2015

Your motherboard thinks there is no memory installed.

Condition Beeps Code Debug Code
Normal 1 short beep after POST With goodnight LED enabled, debug code will dissappear after the beep .
Bad CPU No beep No debug code
Bad memory No beep 45
Without memory 3 long beeps 53
Without CPU No beep(No Power) No debug code
Without VGA card 5 long beeps Beeps at”d6”, then show "0d"

http://www.asrock.com/support/faq.asp?id=286

Grimwinder · May 8, 2015

Most RAM slots will have small hinged clips on each end that will snap into notches in RAM sticks, make sure that's happening. Make sure the RAM is aligned correctly, gently push straight down, and if needed push the clips into place as the RAM seats into the slots.

jtenma · May 8, 2015

I have tried one ram stick, 2 ram sticks, and NO ram sticks.

All give me beeps. So this probably means it is a faulty mobo then?

Ugh, already disassembled my CPU, and don't have anymore thermal compound. I doubt I could get away with placing back in to try this again without reapplying new thermal paste though.

Anyways, I get beeps no matter what.

Grimwinder · May 8, 2015

What is the brand/type of RAM you're using? Also, did you try the sticks in more than one slot/pair of slots (for pairs you should use A2 and B2, then A1 and B1 if that fails)?

jtenma · May 8, 2015

RipjawsX g.skill 2x4gb
Ddr3 1600
I have tried everything. I made sure the colors matched. And just for giggles, I even tried mismatching colors (black slots and red slots).

No dice.

Grimwinder · May 8, 2015

It's not likely to help, but one simple thing to try is a CMOS reset. You can do this with either the jumpers (your manual will show you which ones and how to do it) or by removing the CMOS battery (large flat silver battery that looks like an old watch battery) from the board for a few minutes.

MarkW · May 8, 2015

The odds of multiple memory sticks going bad all at the same time are pretty low. So I would suspect the motherboard as being defective.

jtenma · May 8, 2015

Tried that too. You simply take the jumper off, and then move it over the other two closest to the right.

Funny thing was, when I tried to turn it on, it didnt? Power on?

I put them back how they were, and it powered on and started beeping.

*sigh*

Grimwinder · May 8, 2015

As MarkW says, the chances are slim that both RAM sticks are defective and it's looking more likely it's the board. Did you also try using the back-up BIOS? The instructions were next in the manual after the CMOS reset, worth trying before you RMA the board.

jtenma · May 8, 2015

Just tried that now. No dice.

I noticed something I didn't notice before with boh normal bios and the backup bios;

The CPU fan starts up, no beep, and then turns off. The system then turns on 2 seconds later and starts beeping.

Well I guess it is the mobo huh?

I should probably send back the CPU too just in case?

Grimwinder · May 8, 2015

I would if possible, that way you don't get stuck waiting extra time if if turns out to be the CPU. I assume you did but, since you didn't list it specifically, did you also removed the CPU, and made sure it was seated good and the socket/pins weren't damaged in any way? And you connected the CPU power plug to the board as well as the main power plug (sorry if that's obvious but sometimes people miss it)? Your beep code is saying it's not seeing any RAM, but computers do funny things sometimes that are seemingly unconnected to a problem.

MarkW · May 8, 2015

Well, the CPU is working. Without the CPU, the 3 beeps would never happen. Something in that box has to compute whats going on to generate post beeps.

Even the Post Beep List says "Bad CPU No beep No debug code"

This is going to be a tough one to figure out. I generally do not like to replace the motherboard first, but in this case, we know the CPU is working because it is generating the post beeps. You have already taken the memory out and put it back in multiple times.

This is a long shot, but lets try this. Remove the video card, unplug the hard drive, keyboard, and mouse from the system. Plug the monitor into the port on the back of the motherboard. If you have anything else attached to the motherboard, disconnect remove those items. Leave 1 stick of memory and the CPU. and power up and see what happens.

Grimwinder · May 8, 2015

I did not say the cpu was dead, however, it maybe faulty, as in a rare, but still possible, bad memory controller. So may as well return it as well just in case.

jtenma · May 8, 2015

Sorry I'm late on this markw, but as you can see in my first post, I "breadboarded" already.

Meaning I removed everything I could except the CPU and 1/2/0 ram sticks combination.

Still got beeps.

This is good that you guys are saying this though. This lets me know I was on the right track as far as troubleshooting.

@grimwinder
Ya. I got a RMA ready for both. This time, before I set up everything in the case, I am going to try to assemble them before, so I can see if they are faulty first.

Thanks guys. Will report back when I find out if it was the mobo or not.

Grimwinder · May 9, 2015

Yeah, by following JSC's guide you did most everything troubleshooting wise you could, sometimes you just get a bad component. Good luck with the new parts, I hope you get better results.

jtenma · May 23, 2015

WELP Just got back everything, guys!!!

GUESS WHAT?

It mustve een the mobo because I AM IN THERE LIKE SWIMWEAR!
IT WORKED!!! I breadboarded first off course to make sure (cpu and mobo+PSU). BOOM!

It wasnt the RAM
THANKS ALL!

MarkW · May 23, 2015

Glad to hear it is working now!

Am I doing the right thing? (CPU or motherboard DOA)

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