I'm in the process of putting together a 1 gig AMD system for a friend of mine, using an Asus a7v-e motherboard. Whenever the computer goes through startup and post, it goes fine until it finishes detecting the drives, at which point it starts beeping (4 short ones, over and over), and the screen flashes on and off, indefinately. Anybody out there have any idea what it could be? I've checked the processor, processor temp, the ram, all the drives.....I have no idea what it could be. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Ooo splitlip,
I don't know much but that doesn't sound good.
I just did a little search for you and copied this,
The PC Guide | Troubleshooting and Repair Guide | The Troubleshooting Expert | Troubleshooting The System Overall | Troubleshooting BIOS Beep Codes | AMI BIOS ]

4 Beeps: System timer failure

Explanation: There is a problem with one or more of the timers used by the system to control functions on the motherboard.

Diagnosis: This is usually a motherboard failure.

Recommendation: Troubleshoot the motherboard.

Doesn't sound good to me, you? Just for fun, before some of the really smart guys on this forum wade in on your question, do a Google search and type in the words Beep codes. You'll get a bunch of hits, and learn a lot and maybe solve your trouble yourself. I'm just learning myself so maybe it's just me, I find it really cool to figure stuff out. Post back and let us know what you find out.


------------------
A man persuaded against his will, is of his old opinion still.

Hi;

I may be wrong, but the Asus website states that the bios is an Award for this board.

Could you post the bios string?

Most problems with beep codes, if this is what you are hearing, are related to video or memory.

I would check that video card to make sure that it is seated correctly.

What video card are you using? Has it worked in another system?

Have you tried to just install the essentials to boot-up? The video card, floppy, ram, keyboard and boot from a floppy?

Are you using more than one memory board? Try just one, Asus boards can be finicky about some brands of memory.

Is the fan working - can you hear it, or see it working on boot? Did you use a little thermal coumpound on the heat sink?

Perhaps you can post more system information about the set-up that you have.

The Asus boards can have several alarms built into the bios that warn of temperature problems etc...could this be the sounds you are hearing, or are they actual post beeps?

Oh, by the way, how did you mount the board, plastic stand-offs only?

[This message has been edited by danleff (edited 08-18-2001).]

Ok, here's a little more info:

Indeed, it's an Award bios, which at startup reads 'Asus a7v-e acpi bios revision 1002d'

The video card is a GeForce2 32 , and it does work. I've tryed 2 other video cards, and the same thing happens

And yes, I have just the essentials in the case right now, unfortunately it seems to make no difference

I'm running 1 stick of mem (kingston - 256 M)

The fan is working, and keeping the chip at a good temp....37 C, constant. That's another odd thing about this....I can get into setup, no problem, and stay there indefinately....but when it reboots, and finishes detecting the drives (even if its just the floppy), bang, 4 endless beeps and a flashing screen.

Oh, and the board is mostly screwed on, with only a couple of plastic spacers.

I hope that helps a little http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Just a thought, I also have an ASUS MB, the A7V133 and there were some hurdles to cross when I first assembled my system. You mentioned that you have just the essentials on board now, what are those? If this is a PCI board you need to check your Manual in the area of Assignement of IRQs under the Shared Slots. If you have an AGP Card on this board then for sure you need to take stock in what else you have plugged in. On mine I need to leave PCI Slot 1 empty as it is shared with the Video card and I would net get through the POST as these are assigned in the BIOS and the Video cards have major difficulties sharing. In my manual there is a table that shows which PCI slot shares with others...I'm not talking IRQ sharing, per se, but SLOT SHARING.

I have spent some time with ASUS Tech-support as I purchased the board outright from a vendor. If you have purchased the components individually for your computer than you have access to the Tech-Supports individually. I don't think they like you to know this because Tech-Support chews up a lot of resources and they discount their products to manufacturers passing the Tech-Support on to them.

Messing with an ASUS MB is a task. Their Tech-Support told me straight out that they are not user friendly. They usually bury their competition in performance, but they are best left in the hands of the folks assembling multiple systems of the same old same old. We start sticking all kinds of newfangled AGP and PCI products in them and jam the things up coming out of the gate.

So, thanks for the forum to vent a bit, I would try things with just the Video Card. Ah, you didn't say if you had Audio on Board...that could be a forced SHARE situation. I would pour over the manual in that are a make sure you are not conflicting with the Shared Resources.

May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Hi;

Two things I can think of.

1. Remount the board with plastic stand-offs ONLY. There is a possibility that you can have a short, even if you used the insulated spacers under the screws (you did, didn't you?). I have found that when necessary, if you have to use some screws to mount the motherboard, that insulated washers should be used on both sides of the board (I know, this sounds like a pain). Is there any area that the motherboard seems to be in contact with the case, except, of course where the LPT COM and USB ports poke through?

2. Is there any possibility that you can try another memory chip, preferably another brand? Does the motherboard manual have a recommended list of memory that has been tested with the board? Again, the beep codes generally point in the direction of memory vs. video problems. The latter is less of a possibility, since you do get some video on post. I believe with this board, you need to have, unbuffered, non-parity ram.

Is it PC 133 SRAM that you have, PC 100? PC-66 will not work on this board. You can go to crucial.com and use thrie memory config. utility to get an idea what ram you should be using. Once you get to the suggested ram that thy recommend, there is an area on the top of the page;

"Click here to get a full listing of motherboard specs."

That will give you some ideas of what the board will take. Compare that to what you have.

Finally, you state that you can get into setup, meaning the bios settings? Then it will detect the drives? No error messages that you can see?

Does it count the memory OK, or stop and beep at that point?

I hate it when a plan doesn't come together.. lets make it come together. This is a nice system you are assembling.

Any other ideas out there guys and gals?

Hi again;

Whysman makes a good point about PCI/AGP?ISA sharing. Make sure you only have the video card in the slots, no others while trying to get the system to boot. Remove any PCI card that may be next to the agp video card.

Remember, check those DIPP switches!
http://www.asus.com/Products/Motherboard/socketa/a7v-e/jumper.html

After some tweaking with my Asus K7m, it works like a charm though. Keep trying!

Asus hates anything but quality memory. Try to boot up for awhile in Safe Mode and see what happens. If things aren't any better, go back to memory. Luck.

------------------
......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

I'll chime in regarding the memory. My chats with ASUS Tech-support also confirm the possibility of a Memory Chip problem. The Tech I most recently chatted with told me that they receive many calls with memory problems based on the manufacturer. I'm running PNY with no problems. As Danleff pointed out and the Tech confirmed, ASUS does have recommended memory manufacturers. The site they gave me was www.mushkin.com (http://www.mushkin.com) although I have not had a look-see.

Down the line when you're up and running (you didn't say which OS you are planning on running) make sure you have all the latest drivers. We are in the transition between Intel and AMD's VIA chipsets. Manufacturers used to base their R&D on Intel boards. I'm running an All in Wonder Pro whose technology is around 2 years old and had problems initially with drivers on my A7V133, so be sure to get the latest.

Whysman

May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Danleff asked the question regarding "setup" I guess I am a bit confused also. Are you ever getting through POST? Are you loading your OS and then having the problems on reboot?