Author Topic: system problem - possibly bad memory? (Read 235 times)

Exile · « **on:** May 26, 2003, 03:03:38 PM »

Sat and Sun my computer would not start at all. I'd turn it on and hear 1 short beep followed by a barely audible "click" and then a long beep and then system would power down.

A long beep is supposed to indicate bad memory ... correct? Or maybe a motherboard issue?

Anyways, I switch around the 2 sticks of memory, try just one, try just one in the 2nd dimm slot (maybe a bad dimm?) ... no go.

I then strip the whole system down and put it all back together. Everything is snug in place. Still no go.

I go buy a new stick of memory and try that ... no go.

It's Sunday night, I've now given up on this system and start writing up a shopping list for a new system ... past due anyways.

I wake up this morning and just for the helluva it, I try to start er up again ... she starts without a hiccup. Everything seems to be working fine. No loss of performance or heat issues. All my apps and games are working as expected. I can't figure out what could have caused the problem. I'm now afraid to shut her down because I'm pretty sure it won't start again if I do.

Any ideas what could be causing the long beep and power down?
- motherboard?
- memory?
- power supply?

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp1.020828-1920)
Motherboard: Soyo K7V Dragon Plus
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.5GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce3 Ti 500
Sound Card: SB Live!
Hard Drive: WD Caviar 120GB w/8MB Cache
Power Supply: Enermax 550

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2003, 03:38:28 PM »

You didn't post any system specs. I went through two A7M266 motherboards that failed to start somtimes before I got an Asus Nforce board.

DJ229 - AIR MAFIA

Exile · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2003, 12:55:47 PM »

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2003, 01:44:15 PM »

My best guess Exile.

The input line voltage in your home was too low which would cause the power supply problems and cause the shutdown.

If you have a voltmeter, check the AC input line levels.

DAVENRINO · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2003, 01:47:32 PM »

Forgot to mention I put in a Sparkle 400 PSU at same time as new motherboard, but your PSU should be MORE than adequate. I found a lot of others on AMD forum with same problem using A7M266 mobo. You might check Soyo's here .

http://www.amdforums.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=25

DJ229 - AIR MAFIA

EDIT: If Skuzzy is right, you can get a voltage line conditioner. Many of the better UPS's have one, too.