Computer issues.

[CheesyPeas]

Welp, that's that. Return the motherboard.


Edit: Sorry, I'd assumed you'd already checked the RAM, glad you got it working. You should still not be getting any more than one beep on startup though, would certainly keep an eye on that. I'm still thinking there is a motherboard issue somewhere.

[mibuwolf]

Welp, that's that. Return the motherboard.

That's what I'm thinking.

[GigaDager]

According to that chart:

"1 long, 3 short - Conventional/Extended memory failure"

What does this mean?

[boot]

EDIT: Something is terribly wrong with my BIOS screen; it's all glitched up and unresponsive.

If your BIOS doesn't work correctly, use a clear CMOS jumper to reset it to default.
If that doesn't help, return the board.

[mibuwolf]

According to that chart:

"1 long, 3 short - Conventional/Extended memory failure"

What does this mean?

Beep codes only apply when your system isn't continuing through the POST process, meaning that if you aren't getting pass the BIOS screen then you have a problem.

1 single short beep for clearing POST.

[GigaDager]

Well, I'm going to try to check the memory again, if that BIOS really has a problem with that.

I don't get how, though. Nothing wrong from what I could tell.

[GigaDager]

Hold the freakin' phone, the only reason why the BIOS is shite is because the resolution was awful. I guess it pays to have an actual monitor. XD

So it...may NOT be the Motherboard after all... In which case, I have no clue what the issue is.

Another update: My computer failed the memory test from BIOS.

HOLY.

FUCKNUGGETS.

[mibuwolf]

Hold the freakin' phone, the only reason why the BIOS is shite is because the resolution was awful. I guess it pays to have an actual monitor. XD

So it...may NOT be the Motherboard after all... In which case, I have no clue what the issue is.

Another update: My computer failed the memory test from BIOS.

HOLY.

FUCKNUGGETS.

Yea, it does pay to use a actual monitor.

[GigaDager]

Okay, removing the faulty RAM doesn't solve the issue. =/

I noticed that the computer doesn't crash during Safe Mode, and a person on Tom's Hardware suggested that that meant that my Windows OS had a corrupted file or something and I should reinstall in.

Well, I'm really out of options. If it's not the RAM, then he's probably right. My friend is bringing over his harddrive to test, so if the harddrive works, and mine doesn't even with a reinstall, then it might just be my harddrive.

[Valtyr]

Are you sure your ram is seated fully? I've had issues with some boards where it's a bit finicky. Did you try pulling out both sticks, then make sure you put one in and it's IN there the whole way. See if you get freezes / crashes. If not, try the other stick and see what happens.

When I had RAM that wasn't seated fully I could boot and even install Windows, but then would get the same lockups that you describe. Took me a while to ACTUALLY check the ram because I'm arrogant and thought "no way I didn't stick the ram in right. I mean, how hard could it be?" Apparently harder than I thought

[DarkTails]

Ah. I figured those beeps were normal. <_<;

*slap*

COMPUTER NO SUPPOSED TO MAKE BEEP!

[mibuwolf]

Okay, removing the faulty RAM doesn't solve the issue. =/

I noticed that the computer doesn't crash during Safe Mode, and a person on Tom's Hardware suggested that that meant that my Windows OS had a corrupted file or something and I should reinstall in.

Well, I'm really out of options. If it's not the RAM, then he's probably right. My friend is bringing over his harddrive to test, so if the harddrive works, and mine doesn't even with a reinstall, then it might just be my harddrive.

How long you can stay within Safe Mode without a crash? indefinitely?

[Graeystone]

Is your video source a graphic card or the motherboard chipset? If its a card, trying taking the card out then putting it back in. If that doesn't work then take the card out and plug the monitor cable into the motherboard plug. Be surprised how many issues come up because of a faulty graphics card.

[turnipz]

If it works in safe mode sounds like its a video card driver issue, you should make sure your using an up to date and correct video driver.

You can also try a linux live cd, just format a USB stick to fat32 and use unetbootin:http://sourceforge.net/projects/unetbootin/files/UNetbootin/575/unetbootin-windows-575.exe/download
with an iso taken from one of these mirrors for linux mint: http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=106
Will of course destroy all data on that usb stick, or you can also just burn the ISO to a CD and boot from that.

If it works fine in linux then you know its either a driver or a hard drive problem.

[GigaDager]

Yeah, I thought it was a hard drive problem, too, so I tried using my friend's hard drive.

No go, so we figured that it was either the RAM or the motherboard by process of elimination.

As it turned out, yeah, both RAM sticks were faulty. Putting in a new one got things working.

Thanks for your help, guys! And yes, it still makes the same beeps.

[turnipz]

Linux mint live CD has a memory test, when you boot from it its one of the options to boot from. Automatically scans those bad boys for you. Everyone should know how to boot to a linux live CD, data retrieval, harware testing, backup operating system, etc.. so many uses.

[zamalek]

Another update: My computer failed the memory test from BIOS.

You can pick up some really cheap DDR3 these days for ~$10: in terms of price this is much better than pretty-much anything else in your case - I would try that first. A faulty MoBo can also give false negatives for memory tests though: try putting the RAM in a friend's case if they will let you.

A 650W PSU should be fine.

[mibuwolf]

Yeah, I thought it was a hard drive problem, too, so I tried using my friend's hard drive.

No go, so we figured that it was either the RAM or the motherboard by process of elimination.

As it turned out, yeah, both RAM sticks were faulty. Putting in a new one got things working.

Thanks for your help, guys! And yes, it still makes the same beeps.

2 faulty sticks. I've never had such rotten luck.

[turnipz]

What brand was it? Also these could help perhaps if your internal temps are too high:http://www.dealextreme.com/p/golden-ddr-memory-heat-sink-spreader-2582

I dont know much about failing ram, but perhaps it was damaged somehow? Seems awfully random to have 2 fail.

[GigaDager]

What brand was it? Also these could help perhaps if your internal temps are too high:http://www.dealextreme.com/p/golden-ddr-memory-heat-sink-spreader-2582

I dont know much about failing ram, but perhaps it was damaged somehow? Seems awfully random to have 2 fail.

The brand was Centon. Yeah, it was rather unfortunate. One outright didn't work, and the other seemed to work in certain intervals, which explains why my computer could last a little while before freezing, then shutting off.