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| Thread ID: 64649 | 2005-12-22 06:36:00 | BIOS problem, or motherboard/CPU? | mazatec (9462) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 414798 | 2005-12-22 06:36:00 | I have a system that I built about 3 years ago. This November, it started giving me three beeps when booting (AMI BIOS); this only happened sometimes, and a reboot would usually fix the problem. I tried reseating almost everything, but the problem only happened more frequently as time passed. I have replaced the power supply, the memory, the video card, and removed all peripherals, but I still can't find the problem. In fact, the computer won't even beep now; no POST, no video, nothing but power to fans (and peripherals when they are hooked up). In fact, the only way I can make the system boot is to reset the CMOS with the JBAT jumper. Strangely, it boots just fine if I reset the CMOS, multiple times even. What makes me think that the problem is the BIOS is that the system won't boot when I save the BIOS settings--even if I don't change any values. The battery is at 3.3V, so I don't think that it is the problem. Does anyone have some suggestions? I've never had a problem like this before. |
mazatec (9462) | ||
| 414799 | 2005-12-22 06:52:00 | Does anyone have some suggestions? I've never had a problem like this before. Could you tell us what motherboard you have? Check on the motherboard whether you have brown tops on some capacitators. |
Elephant (599) | ||
| 414800 | 2005-12-22 07:08:00 | No caps are blown... also, I doubt that the system would boot if there were any blown caps. As I said, it does boot, just only after a CMOS reset. Very strange. Edit: oh yeah, I have an MSI KT4VL (KT400 chipset). |
mazatec (9462) | ||
| 414801 | 2005-12-22 07:33:00 | No caps are blown... also, I doubt that the system would boot if there were any blown caps. As I said, it does boot, just only after a CMOS reset. Very strange. Edit: oh yeah, I have an MSI KT4VL (KT400 chipset). My other system would boot but WinXP SP2 did not run very well. I changed the Motherboard after seeing blown caps. This may not be your problem. My system works now anyway. The questions are so we can try to solve the problem. It would appear that you have changed a lot of pheriphals plus some hardware. |
Elephant (599) | ||
| 414802 | 2005-12-22 08:01:00 | I've never seen a system work with blown caps; honestly, I am surprised to find out that such a system can run. Now I know better. :) But yes, I did check, just in case. I did change some hardware, but only after the problem started. Each time I replaced a suspected part (RAM, power supply), nothing improved, so I ruled out that part. At present, I have no peripherals attached; there is only the motherboard/CPU, the power supply, the video card, and one stick of RAM. This was to rule out peripherals, which I also suspected. But the problem is still there... |
mazatec (9462) | ||
| 414803 | 2005-12-22 08:35:00 | 3 beeps can be a memory error. Have you tried swapping the memory around, different slots, one stick at a time. Pop a new battery in just in case, check the contacts. Can you try the CPU on another board or get one that will fit yours? If all else fails........ and I hesitate to say this but, this is one situation were flashing the BIOS may be worth while. |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 414804 | 2005-12-22 16:04:00 | Unfortunately, this is my only AMD system, so I can't test the CPU anywhere else... and all of my friends have Intel. :( I have swapped the memory out more than once with known good sticks that worked in this machine before, and right now I'm using a single stick. I will check the battery since that's easier than reflashing, but if it comes down to it then I will reflash. |
mazatec (9462) | ||
| 414805 | 2005-12-22 16:35:00 | id you swap out the vid card with a known good one ? | drcspy (146) | ||
| 414806 | 2005-12-22 18:13:00 | A quick piece of research shows your card has an AMI bios... 3 short beeps in an AMI bios is an indication of RAM errors (according to here (www.neoseeker.com)) Did you try swapping the RAM into a different slot (as suggested above)? |
Myth (110) | ||
| 414807 | 2005-12-22 21:03:00 | My fave memory tester: http://www.memtest86.com/ It's a free bootable CD. |
kingdragonfly (309) | ||
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