k7s5a beep code questions

[mmnatas]

I've just had to switch over my video card/cpu/drives to a brand new k7s5a board. The old system had a short in it and either the ram or sound card had gone bad...threw them out.

When I boot the system, I get no video, and an interesting combination of error beeps. I've looked up what they mean, but I'm concerned why I'm getting so many.

The sequence is:

2 extremely short (almost blur together), pause, 8 beeps, long pause, 2 beeps, short pause, 1 beep.

2 short is memory parity error...I've got brand new 2100 DDR ram, so I doubt this is the problem (but why the beeps?)

8 beeps is video card/video memory errors (I highly suspect this, but can't test another card for a few days)

2 beeps again (why?)

1 beep is system ram refresh error (again, why? new ram...)

Now, 1 long beep and 8 regular beeps is an outright display test failure (truly dead video card, why it doesn't fall under 8 alone I don't know)...it's possible that the 2 extremely close together beeps are actually one long beep, and then the 8.

I'm pretty sure its the video card, but those extra beeps after (and maybe the 2 before) worry me that my ram or mobo might have other issues. Any one had experience with such a complex beep code sequence?

 

[Buz2b]

Don't get too hung up on the beep codes. Sometimes they are not unlike MS error codes; they are non-specific and difficult to decipher. There's a good chance that it is nothing more than improper seating of the RAM and/or video card. This board is notorious for both. I would suggest (even if you have done so already!) that you remove and reseat them again. In fact, a good method is to pull them, reseat them, pull them again, reseat them and on and on for several times. Also try booting with only one stick of RAM at first. Since you are changing out the boards and this will essentially be the first boot attempt on the new one, I would in fact clear the CMOS first. Follow the directions in the manual; especially about unplugging the ATX power connector from the MB. I usually suggest unplugging ALL CABLES and power plugs from the board completely when doing this. Leave the jumper in the "Clear" position for a few minutes before placing it back in the Normal position and rebooting. For the first boot you might also want to disconnect (leave unplugged) a couple of the "extra" components like the DVD or CDRW, etc. After a successful boot go back into the BIOS and reset the memory timings, etc, then hook up the rest of your components.

 

[Mitzi]

I was getting a strange combination of beep codes and no monitor signal from my ECS K7AMA yesterday when I re-built it in my new Lian Li PC60 case.

Sort of like beep-beep..pause.....beeeeeeeppp!!!! Was getting very worried thinking I might of fried something.

After about 30 minutes of reseating RAM, video card, different video card, unplugging all drives etc turned out, I had plugged the monitor into the wrong vga connection on my Matrox G400 dual head (hence the no vga signal) and the beeps were because the checksum was wrong on the BIOS (after plugged the monitor in correctly I noticed that I needed to re-setup the BIOS!).

Talk about silly mistakes - DOH!!

 

[Buz2b]

<< Talk about silly mistakes - DOH!! >>

I beleive we can all think of something similar we have done and felt silly about. I know I can. I once bought a replacement Floppy drive because mine "wouldn't work" in a new install. Well, it would have worked fine if I had turned the cable around! Oops! Talk about feeling dumb! In my defense, it was in my younger, foolish days. Yeah right!

 

[mmnatas]

Awesome, that worked. I had actually reseated stuff a few times, but 4th time's a charm I guess.

Unfortunately, now windows is giving me a blue screen complaining I switched mobo's on it without telling it...new forum I guess.

Thanks guys.