P4 system problem

[grpprod]

I bought a Pentium 4 "kit". Now, I'm trying to put it all together. I have added 1 256meg DDR chip, a FDD, a HDD, a CD, and a PCI video card (the motherboard has an AGP slot, but I haven't bought a new video card yet).
I'm concerned that the machine won't recognize the video card because it's not an AGP type.
My first problem is that when I turn it on - it beeps 3 times.

What does this mean?

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Computer Dyslexic

[YODA74]

on three beeps it would be nice to know who makes your bios?

Ami=64k base mem.error
Ast= key board controler
ext,extera

If it is an AMI 3-short beeps

Your computer has memory problems. First check video. If video is working, you'll see an error message. If not, you have a parity error in your first 64K of memory. First check your SIMM's. Reseat them and reboot. If this doesn't do it, the memory chips may be bad. You can try switching the first and second banks memory chips. First banks are the memory banks that your CPU finds its first 64K of base memory in. You'll need to consult your manual to see which bank is first. If all your memory tests good, you probably need to buy another motherboard.

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[grpprod]

I have amibios so my error reflects a memory problem. Thanks.

I bought a new DDR 256 meg RAM chip (only one)
I have tried placing it in different slots (nothing different happens)

Also, I still see nothing on my monitor. Since I have a PCI Video card in a systemboard with an AGP, could this be another problem?

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While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[iisbob]

..First check your SIMM's..

LOL! if he's using SIMMS with a P4, then there's your problem! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

Actually Yoda has hit the nail on the head here, it's probably one of your peripheral cards-usually when memory is not seated properly you get one long continous beep { this is pretty much universal } , unhook everything but the memory and video card-then if it boots properly hook up the drives one at a time ( starting with your floppy ). You should never hook all your items up on a new build PC until you have made sure each one " works " properly with the new system-by doing one peripheral at a time you narrow down your troubleshooting. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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iisbob
""I was gratified to be able to answer promptly, and I did. I said I didn't know."
Mark Twain

[ranchdog]

An AGP slot doesn't have to be used. It's there only in case you prefer to use an AGP Video Card. Rather than a PCI Video Card.

BTW. AGP is the better way to go. More bang for the peso.

Luck.



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

[grpprod]

Thank you!

I removed everything, reseated my DDR, still got 3 beeps.

Unless there are other tests, my next move will be to double check the ram configuration jumper pins and replace the ram if necessary.

My board has a jumper pin to change the ram voltage from 3.3V to 2.5V and Type selector jumpers that enable DDR or SDR DRAM.

I have them set for 2.5V and DDR.

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While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[ranchdog]

O.K. let's try this....

Your settings are correct for DDR. Re-seat your memory stick in slot 1. Closest to the CPU.

Re-seat your PCI Video in a different PCI slot. Try slot 1 as you are not using an AGP card.

Remove the CMOS battery (that Silver thingie the size of a quarter). Leave it out for a while. And replace after you make sure there isn't any shipping tape on the underside.

Check the Clear CMOS Function jumper. The small plastic jumper should be on pin 1 and 2. This is your default setting. Sometimes Mboards are shipped w/ pins 2 and 3 closed for shipment. 2 and 3 are used only to clear CMOS.

ALL of this is done with power off.

Power up and see if you get the memory count screen etc. Then it's time to shut down and add one piece of hardware at a time and re-boot. As BIOS will be at the Default setting. Add the FDD..DC-ROM..HDD.

And here comes the fun. Time to load the O/S.

Luck.

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

[grpprod]

OK...

I tested my DDR in another computer and it checks out OK.

I removed the battery for a few minutes. 3 beeps.

I've triple checked all my RAM settings - 2.5V and DDR.

I have my CPU clock set to 100M, the other option is 133M.
If I set it to 133 I get nothing - no video, no beeps.

I have jumpers for Flash ROM voltage and Flash ROM size, which are factory set to 5V and 2M. Do I need to change these?

I really appreciate all your help... What's next????

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While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[grpprod]

Another question.

Do I need to have my keyboard connected when I'm making these tests?

I really need help.

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While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[BigBlue66]

Originally posted by grpprod

Do I need to have my keyboard connected when I'm making these tests?



Absolutely!!!!!!!!!

Do that and let us know what happens.

BB 66

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Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
- Pamela Vault Starr

[grpprod]

Help! Help! Help!

You know... (whew) ...I'm ready to scream. Nothing I've done works!

I'm wondering...(one more time) Would it be possible that I have the wrong "kind" of ram?

My systemboard manuel says: "This mainboard accomodates 168-pin 3.3V/184-pin 2.5V unbuffered SDRAM modules"

My DDR says: "32X62 DDR-266"

How do I know if my ram is "unbuffered"?

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While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[mjc]

About the only thing I can think of is to grab another stick of RAM that follows the specs...it doesn't have to be a big one...64 or 128MB for testing (and you can leave it in if you want). It really seems like some kind of memory incompatability...

Is the memory selection automatic between the two types or is it jumper, BIOS?

Make sure that you have what ever setting set for the proper type.

[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 12-06-2001).]

[grpprod]

My setting appear to be "all" jumpers.

I have a row of many jumpers to change the type from SDRAM (open) to DDR (shorted)
I have a single jumper to change the voltage from 3.3V to 2.5V

I talked to the Store where I bought my ram today (Cheap Guys Computers - that's their real name) They said to bring in the case and they run a diagnosis for me. I think at this point... I going to do that.

Thanks to everybody for all the suggestions.

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While My Guitar Gently Weeps

[grpprod]

Eurika!!!!

I found the problem(s). (With a little help)

1. for some reason my systemboard takes 2 ddr chips.
one won' work.

2. my systemboard was also intermittently shorting out on the case.

Thanks to everyone for their support and patience.

Greg

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While My Guitar Gently Weeps