Help! Tried new RAM, system won't boot even with old the RAM.

[kibe]

In an attempt to speed up a relative's computer I tried replacing his generic 64MB pc100 stick with a brand new crucial 128mb 133 stick of mine I just bought for my own upgrade. I powered up the system, only to get a black screen and a long beep that repeats every few seconds. So I put the old ram back in, and it still beeps! I tried clearing the CMOS, that didn't help. I took the ram out and put it back in a few times, no go. I also tried the other DIMM, same result. I'm at a loss as to what else I can try. Does anyone have any suggestions?

The mobo is:
ECS P6Iwp-ME mobo (Intel 810 chipset)

Kibe

 

[dkk]

it's been awhile since i've done troubleshooting on computer hardware.. so i don't remember what that beep code it.. but see if your monitor is connected to your video card.. and that the video card is seated in properly..

 

[Tauren]

Continuous Beeps - PS bad or not plugged into mobo properly or keyboard stuck

Repeating short beeps - PS bad

[EDIT] Let me know the exact sequence(1 long,2 short,etc.) of the beeps and I'll let you know tomorrow[EDIT]

 

[Sharkmeat]

If you got on board video and a second AGP card unplug the cable and plug it into the on board video card to boot up.As he mention you could have tilted the video card a bit in the slot when you changed the memory.

 

[kibe]

The beep is a long beep that repeats about every 3 seconds. It just has integrated video, no other video card is installed. I had tried to install a NIC in it, but couldn't get it to work right even if it was the only card installed. I'm not sure if that's related to this or not. It does make me wonder if it's just a bad mobo or PS. I can't see how trying the RAM could have caused any damage. I was very careful not to disturb anything and I used a foot grounding strap so I wounldn't damage anything from static.....

Thanks for your help so far!

Kibe

 

[Tauren]

You've got me on that one. 1 long, 1 short is the mobo and 1 long, 2 short is the video card. I can't find anything that tells what 1 long repeating is. The closest is the I already stated about continuous beeps. Sorry.

 

[slatt01]

Try reseting the machine a few times once it starts beeping. I have seen this boot error when there is a memory problem. After a few resets the machine I had problems would start and once started it work fine from that point onwards.

No idea why this worked.

 

[kibe]

I'll definitely try reseting a few times and see if that does the trick.

The mobo has an Award BIOS, so I did some checking at their website. There's only one beep code, which is one long and two short beeps which means there's a video error. But, it also said that any other beeps "are probably a RAM problem." Sure, that helps, lol.

I just hope I can figure this out, I don't want to have to tell my relative I broke his computer and have no idea what needs to be replaced. Regardless, thank you everyone for the help so far.

Kibe

 

[Sharkmeat]

You may have screwed up a memory dimm pin when you installed the memory.Try a diff slot or take a soft brush and(Small 1/2" artist brush is better)clean out the socket then use an "Air Can" to blow the dimm slot out,and it may unstick the bad memory spring pin good luck.