Long BIOS beep?

[CleverUserName]

Does anyone happen to know what one long beep on startup could mean? This is a new build with a Gigabyte GA-8I945P-G Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard (http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-8I945P-G.htm) and Intel D 930. I only get the beep occasionally, not all the time. I seem to usually get it when the machine has been off for awhile. When I restart or turn it off/on after I've been using it, I don't get the beep. Any hints? Thanks

[ErnieK]

This could indicate that either the GRAPHICS card is not seated properly but is more than likely the memory that is needing re-seated.

To do so FIRST make certain that you are earthed, either by using an earthing strap (a couple of £'s\$'s to buy) or by touching the metal casing of the PC BEFORE touching the insides turn of the computer and disconncet from the power outlet.

Next remove the memory chips and reseat it\them making certain that the connection is clean and secure. Run the computer for a few days to see if this rectifies the problem. If not do the same with the graphics card.

Your board uses the AWARD BIOS. Go here for a list of the BEEP codes http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm

[CleverUserName]

Right, the codes on the Gigabyte site say that the long beep is a DRAM error. I checked last night and reseated the memory sticks and they weren't seated as securely as they should have been. However, after leaving it off for the night, I came back and I still got the long beep. After restart, I again did not receive the long beep. I will try reseating the vid card when I get home. Thanks Ernie K.

[ErnieK]

Is the RAm you have compatable with your mobo? I don't know about now, but Gygabyte used to be very choosy about memeory. My first major build was with a Gygabyte board and it took 3 lots of RAM before I could get it to work correctly. (this was before I found PC Guide). Check with CRUCIUAL as to correct memory. http://www.crucial.com/ Just fill in the details for your board in the finder section (on right hand side) Also check that all stick are the same. This site might help you http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ram.htm

Is your BIOS set up correctly for the installed RAM (ie 2 - 2.5 - 3)

If you have more than one stick of RAM then try running the computer with only one stick (please remember that the computer will take a wee bit longer to boot and run).

Do this with all RAM sticks you have. By doing this you will be able to track down a bad stick (if there is one) Leave the single stick set-up for a couple of days to ensure that the fault has dissapeared. Also (stupid as it seems) try switching the ram around.

Here are a couple of links to help you.
Go to http://www.memtest86.com/ and download and run Memtest86 (release 3.2)

This link will give you an idea of what happens when testing memory.
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1565&page=3

[CleverUserName]

Thanks ErnieK - I have Corsair Memory and checked the finder on their site. The sticks I bought are compatible with the board. I bought a 2x1GB kit 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 533 (PC2 4200), so the sticks are the same. When I get home, I'll take your advice about reseating the vid card and testing with one stick of RAM and/or switching it around with the other stick.

I need clarification on your other comment about the BIOS, though. I have the BIOS setup with the default settings (though it's been updated with the most current Gigabyte bios version). I'm a relative hardware noob (this is my first setup) and I don't know what you mean by "Is your BIOS set up correctly for the installed RAM (ie 2 - 2.5 - 3)"

Thanks again

[jlreich]

Sometimes the default ram timings that BIOS sets for it will not be correct. I had to set my Corsair 2X1GB timings manually. If the timings are set a little more relaxed (higher numbers) than what the ram is supposed to be it will generally just make the ram a little less efficient. But if the timings are tighter (lower numbers) it can cause problems.

You will have to look in the BIOS under DRAM settings or similar to check the timings. If you got the Value Select Corsair like I do the timings should be 3-3-3-8. If you got the XMS check the specs to find the correct timings.

If they are different than what they should be, change them. If you make a mistake for some reason and the system won't boot, just clear the CMOS and start over.

I would also recommend running Memtest on each stick individually to check for errors in the ram. Ernie gave the link above.

[CleverUserName]

I have the ValueSelect, yes. I checked the corsiar site for the latency settings and the latency read on the ValueSelect 1x2GB DDR2-533 (PC2-4200) says 4-4-4-12. Jlreich - your settings of 3-3-3-8 are your more "relaxed" settings that you suggest, correct?

[jlreich]

Oh no no. My fault. You have an Intel system running DDR2533, I have an AMD running DDR400. Big difference in timings.

The 3-3-3-8 timing compared to yours are tighter. Those timing are the latency. Lower is faster, Higher is slower.

Just compare to what the BIOS has set to what Corsair says it should be. And don't worry that the timings on your ram are slower. Faster MHz usually means slower latency timings. Same goes with larger MB/GB size sticks.

[CleverUserName]

I have tried to find the DRAM settings in the BIOS menu, but cannot seem to find it. Can anyone tell me what else it might be under? I can't find anything that lists a 4 digit setting at all...

Under CMOS there is a setting field Date, time, IDE Master/Slave, Drive A, B, and Floppy3 Mode support, and a keyboard halt. There is also information about the Base, Extended, and Total memory - but these are only display (not editable).

Under Adv BIOS there is HB Boot Priority, 1st/2nd/3rd Boot Device, Password Check/setup, CPUID Limit, Memory Protection, CPU Enhanced Halt, Thermal Monitor, and CPU EIST function.

Under MB Intelligent Tweaker there is CPU Clock ratio, CAM, Robust Graphics Booster, CPU Intelligent Accelerator 2, CPU Clock Control, CPU Host Freq, PCI Express Freq, System Memory Multiplier, Memory Frequency, and DIMM overvoltage control.

I also looked under Intergrated Peripherals, Power Mgmt, and PnP/PCI Config but I wouldn't think it would be under any of these sections.

I've included the mobo manual from Gigabyte here (http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Motherboard/Support/Manual/Manual_GA-8I945P-G.htm). Any ideas as to where I'm supposed to be looking?

[jlreich]

Sorry I should have been a little more specific.

In my system it is - from the main menu> frequency/voltage control> DRAM config> Timing mode. The timing settings are grayed out until I set the mode to manual from auto. Every BIOS is a little different so you will have to look around for something similar.

The numbers will not be laid out exactly like 4-4-4-12. Look for CAS, min RAS, RAS to CAS. Look at those three numbers and change them if needed.

Hmm, I was just looking at your manual and I don't see anything that looks like what you need. You would think a modern mobo would have DRAM control somewhere. :confused:

The timings may be off, but I think running Memtest is the thing to do. Go to the link ErnieK gave and download Memtest. Run it with one stick in at a time. Let it run a few passes and if you don't get any errors then swap sticks and do it again. If you get any errors at all the stick is bad.

[CleverUserName]

Thanks jlreich. I've spent forever looking for the settings and can't find the DRAM config settings. I've sent an email to Gigabyte tech support in hopes that they can point me in the right direction. I also ran Memtest last night with both sticks seperately and didn't receive an error on either. I made sure that both sticks are seated correctly, as well as the vid card (per ErnieK's suggestion). I haven't been able to cure the problem yet. It's just weird...it only happens on initial boot, but not on restart or anything.

[jlreich]

Good the ram is OK then it seems.

You might want to try replacing the CMOS battery. I know it's a new mobo but sometimes the batteries can sit in a warehouse for months or years before they get to the end user.

With it only happening on cold boot it's a fair chance that could be it. If nothing else they only cost a couple bucks so it's worth a try. You can get them at any place that sells watch batteries like a drug store or department store. Look for CR2032 or one that replaces CR2032.

[CleverUserName]

Thanks - I've purchased the battery and I'll replace it when I get home. I was wondering if that could be the problem, but had no real basis for thinking it. Thanks for all the help!

[CleverUserName]

Well, it looks like replacing the battery has done the trick. I'm no longer getting the long beep anymore. Thanks for all your help jlreich and ErnieK!

[jlreich]

That little battery has caused many strange problems. :p It's become common procedure to put a new battery in whenever I build a system. It's just not worth worrying about when it cost $2 for a new one.

Glad you got it sorted out. :)

[Rendman]

I have the same mother board with the same processor and the same long beep, but my computer is frying PSU's. See post titled Hmmm... Three blown power supplies. I have the same one long beep thing. Just out of curiosity, how hot does your PSU get?

[CleverUserName]

I'd love to tell you, but I'm not sure how to find out. The CPU monitoring program I was using just expired it's trial? Any suggestions on how I would find out. I tried using Motherboard Monitor, but my mobo isn't supported. Any other programs you suggest?

FYI - this is the PSU I was using http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153028

[jlreich]

"SiSoft Sandra Lite" is pretty good free program that has monitoring modules for the mobo. Among many other things.