Re: New GA-MA785GM-US2H motherboard won't post
Jan Alter
--
Jan Alter
bea...@verizon.net
"The Seabat" <sea...@NOSPAMboardermail.com> wrote in message
news:526kd5dujahkt9pmd...@4ax.com...
> Building a server around a Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H motherboard. Have
> a Corsair 400watt PSU, AMD Sempron 140, WD 500GB SATA green drive, 1
> stick Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G RAM (supposed to be DDR2-800). All items
> new. I'm also using an older IDE DVD drive and yes it does work. All
> connections have been checked and double checked. Award BIOS, unsure
> of which version.
>
> When I turn power on the CPU fan & chassis fan run. Can't tell if HDD
> spins up, but I don't think so. POST doesn't get that far along.
> Immediately I get a beep code of 4 long and 1 short, which keeps
> repeating. Nothing in the manual or web site to say what the hell that
> means. I have made sure that the monitor, k/m, PSU all work on other
> machines. I have tried the RAM in all four slots to no avail. I have
> unplugged, each in turn, the DVD drive, the HDD, the RAM. Also
> unplugged them all at the same time. Same POST code! Don't have a
> video card plugged in (don't even have one), using the onboard video
> D-SUB connector.
>
> Been trying to get an answer from Gigabyte, but it's like pulling
> teeth with a pair of pliers. Been at it over a week. I have NO access
> to the BIOS setup screen or anything.
>
> Is this board toast? Or my RAM? Or video? I don't have any machines
> using DDR2 that I can try the stick out in. I don't have any more DDR2
> to plug in, either.
>
> Thoughts? Answers? Miracles? Thanks.
A couple of sources on the Internet indicate that it may be a memory
problem, since 4 long 1 short didn't match any of the AWARD bios (for your
mb) patterns listed.
Sorry that you're up against a wall with only 1 stick of RAM to use.
However, with the machine off unplug the the hdd and DVD to eliminate those
items as a possibility and then try starting it again. See if you can find
someone who can lend you a stick of DDR2 (1066 /800 / 667) RAM, short of
buying one. When troubleshooting like this it's quite difficult sometimes
not having some spare parts. At least it appears that the cpu and PSU are
probably not the problem.
Jan Alter
bea...@verizon.net
Dave C.
The Seabat <sea...@NOSPAMboardermail.com> wrote:
> Building a server around a Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H motherboard. Have
> a Corsair 400watt PSU, AMD Sempron 140, WD 500GB SATA green drive, 1
> stick Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G RAM (supposed to be DDR2-800). All items
> new. I'm also using an older IDE DVD drive and yes it does work. All
> connections have been checked and double checked. Award BIOS, unsure
> of which version.
>
> When I turn power on the CPU fan & chassis fan run. Can't tell if HDD
> spins up, but I don't think so. POST doesn't get that far along.
> Immediately I get a beep code of 4 long and 1 short, which keeps
> repeating. Nothing in the manual or web site to say what the hell that
> means.
OK, I've googled this. Either you've got a memory problem, the
mainboard doesn't recognize the memory installed OR
The CPU fan is either plugged into the wrong header, or isn't running
fast enough. You wouldn't happen to be using an aftermarket CPU
cooler, would you? Does your CPU fan have 3 wires on it? Does it
appear to be spinning fast? Anything below about 2000 RPM roughly
might not register, and the POST won't run if the ran isn't running
fast enough.
You might try clearing CMOS (move the jumper) with the battery out for
about 30 seconds, just remember to put the battery back and the jumper
back. -Dave
Paul
>
> Well, the memory is listed on the Gigabyte site as compatible with
> this board (I know that doesn't always mean jacks**t). It is the stock
> fan/heatsink that came with chip from AMD. It is a four wire
> connection and it is hooked up to the correct terminal for the CPU.
> The fan spins, but I don't have a clue if it is spinning fast enough
> seein' as how I've never run it before! :) It seems to be fast enough
> though, compared to my other HSF on this 'puter.
>
> I cleared the BIOS with the jumper and by removing the battery (double
> tap). Removed jumper - replaced battery. Have totally removed the ODD
> and the HDD from the board. Still no joy!
>
Any possibility of an extra standoff being underneath the motherboard ?
Any chance a power cable is missing, such as the ATX 12V 2x2 ?
I've had at least one case here, where an old computer case, had a
standoff installed, that didn't line up with the screw holes on the
motherboard. The standoff can touch a copper conductor on the bottom
of the motherboard, and that can upset things. (On one Asus motherboard,
the tech support knew right away, when the customer reports no sound
on one channel of the audio output, that the problem was a standoff
touching where there is no screw hole for it.)
On some of the systems I've built here, I build up the motherboard
outside the computer case first. I actually load the OS, while
the motherboard, PSU, optical drive, hard drive, are sitting on
my kitchen table. The monitor was sitting on a separate cart
(as at the time, I was using a CRT). That is called a "cardboard
test", in honor of placing some cardboard under the motherboard,
so it doesn't short to something. I was able to prove the hardware
was all working, and then could install it in the computer case,
confident that all the hardware works. The only liability with
that approach, is the video card is not properly supported
mechanically, so you have to be careful not to tug on the
video cable.
Paul
Dave C.
>
> Gosh, I hope it's memory and not the freakin' motherboard!
I doubt if it would be the motherboard. The fact that you are getting
error beeps at all is usually a good sign, as far as the motherboard
goes. This is a Gigabyte board too. Their quality control is pretty
good.
> I have an
> email in to Kingston, but probably won't hear from them 'till Monday.
> RMAin' the motherboard would be a pain in the butt.
If it's Kingston RAM, it SHOULD be good. But being "good" doesn't
necessarily guarantee that it will be compatible with your specific
motherboard. Still, I've never heard of a compatibility problem with
Kingston. That's usually pretty good stuff.
> I went ahead and order another 1GB stick of RAM from Newegg.
I hope you chose a different brand, just in case it really is a
compatibility problem between Kingston and Gigabyte. In your shoes, I
probably would have ordered crucial or OCZ memory next. The odds
that both kingston AND crucial/OCZ memory wouldn't work are about
slim and none. All three brands are pretty universal, as far as
compatibility goes.
> There
> ain't anybody around to borrow some RAM from. I'm out in the boonies
> of SouthWest Texas. The RAM I bought originally I got on sale a couple
> of months ago from Newegg. This RAM is only about 3/4 of an inch in
> height!! I guess it's for clearing those big ol' CPU coolers. Was no
> mention of it when ordering. Maybe that is why it was so cheap? :(
Height shouldn't be a problem by itself. But if it's not compatible
with your mainboard, it won't matter how tall it is.
>
> Ya know iffn they were to put out some decent, reliable information
> about Award BIOS beep codes, it would sure make life easier!
Well I guess there are so many different versions of the Award bios
that nobody ever tried to make a comprehensive list of beep codes. But
from my research, the code you were getting was probably related to a
memory/RAM problem, or a CPU cooling fan problem. -Dave
Man-wai Chang to The Door (+MS=32B)
> a Corsair 400watt PSU, AMD Sempron 140, WD 500GB SATA green drive, 1
> stick Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G RAM (supposed to be DDR2-800). All items
> new. I'm also using an older IDE DVD drive and yes it does work. All
> connections have been checked and double checked. Award BIOS, unsure
> of which version.
> When I turn power on the CPU fan & chassis fan run. Can't tell if HDD
> spins up, but I don't think so. POST doesn't get that far along.
> Immediately I get a beep code of 4 long and 1 short, which keeps
1. Unplug the hard disk and the DVD/CD drive until you
could see the BIOS screen.
The disk is NOT mandatory for booting up the PC.
This also protects your hard disk from frequent booting
2. Unplug the display card as well (if you had one)
3. Unplug 1 pcs of RAM if you have 2
4. Try powering on the PC and report back
--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Ubuntu 9.04) Linux 2.6.30.9
^ ^ 20:22:01 up 11 days 4:44 2 users load average: 1.20 1.31 1.24
不借貸! 不詐騙! 不援交! 不打交! 不打劫! 不自殺! 請考慮綜援 (CSSA):
http://www.swd.gov.hk/tc/index/site_pubsvc/page_socsecu/sub_addressesa
Dave C.
>
> Well, the memory is listed on the Gigabyte site as compatible with
> this board (I know that doesn't always mean jacks**t).
I think I know exactly what the problem is. A thought occurred to
me, so I downloaded the manual for this motherboard to confirm it. Not
only does this mainboard support dual channel RAM, it apparently
requires it. It states at one point that dual channel can not be
enabled with only one stick of RAM installed (duh), so that would
imply that you can install one stick of ram. But then on the
configuration chart, it shows two sticks of RAM on the inside slots, two
sticks of RAM on the outside slots, or all four RAM slots occupied.
While the manual doesn't seem to state with absolute certainty that it
requires a minimum of two sticks of RAM, I'm betting this board will
not complete POST with just one stick. -Dave
Paul
From the Gigabyte manual
"Due to CPU limitations, read the following guidelines before installing
the memory in Dual Channel mode.
1. Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one DDR2 memory module
is installed.
2. When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it
is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and
chips be used and installed in the same colored DDR2 sockets for
optimum performance.
The #1 bullet item, does not go out of its way to discount operation with
a single stick. It says you can't use Dual Channel mode with just one stick.
As far as I'm aware, AMD processors have never prevented the possibility
of operation with one stick of RAM. The most restrictive processors (with
built-in memory controller), would only operate single channel mode, if
the DIMMs were placed in a particular channel. That stopped being an
issue, after revision D processors. So anything E or later is more flexible.
A revision D or earlier processor, could run with 1, 2, or 4 sticks.
A single channel config, using 1 or 2 sticks placed in the same channel,
would place the DIMMs on the least significant channel. If you stuck a single
stick on the upper channel, the board could not start. But that
issue stopped when revision E came out. (3 sticks could not work,
because of the "128 bit" nature of the AMD implementation at that time.
It required matched pairs, because the DIMMs operated in the same
mode, across from one another.)
Anything E or later, runs with 1,2,3, or four sticks, and is totally
flexible. Some configurations have better memory bandwidth than
others, but if you just blindly plug sticks into the machine,
it works.
The modern Phenom processors, support "ganged" or "unganged" operation.
That is a purposeful choice, to operating the memory channels independently.
That too implies, that if desired, a single stick can be used. You
can see some ganged versus unganged operations results here. Using
two sticks, and operating then unganged, would be recommended for
a slight boost in games. But because the channels can be operated
independently, you should be able to use a single stick.
http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/amd-phenom-x4-9850-ganged-unganged-p1.html
As for "proof", there is proof on the AMD site. You can access the
series of "BIOS writer" documents, to find out about how the
various processors can be configured. But the documentation is
too hard to interpret, to be useful in settling arguments (mainly
because it addresses a whole bunch of processor types at the
same time, without naming them). I'm surprised any developer could
use their documentation, without being on the phone all day with
them to get clear answers. AMD could have helped out a lot, by
providing the equivalent of the "memory guides" that Intel provided
for some of their chipsets.
Paul
GlowingBlueMist
> On Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:24:54 +0800, "Man-wai Chang to The Door
> (+MS=32B)" <toylet...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>>> Building a server around a Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H motherboard.
>>>> Have a Corsair 400watt PSU, AMD Sempron 140, WD 500GB SATA green
>>>> drive, 1 stick Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G RAM (supposed to be
>>>> DDR2-800). All items new. I'm also using an older IDE DVD drive
>>>> and yes it does work. All connections have been checked and double
>>>> checked. Award BIOS, unsure of which version.
>>>> When I turn power on the CPU fan & chassis fan run. Can't tell if
>>>> HDD spins up, but I don't think so. POST doesn't get that far
>>>> along. Immediately I get a beep code of 4 long and 1 short, which
>>>> keeps
>>>
>>> 1. Unplug the hard disk and the DVD/CD drive until you
>>> could see the BIOS screen.
>>> The disk is NOT mandatory for booting up the PC.
>>> This also protects your hard disk from frequent booting
>>> 2. Unplug the display card as well (if you had one)
>>> 3. Unplug 1 pcs of RAM if you have 2
>>> 4. Try powering on the PC and report back
>
> 2. None
> 3. Only one
> 4. Done . . . No joy!
As Paul suggested earlier, did you try removing the motherboard from the
chassis and see if it posts properly? Especially if ALL of your standoffs
or mounting hardware, minus the screws, are not plastic.
Man-wai Chang to The Door (+MS=32B)
> 2. None
> 3. Only one
> 4. Done . . . No joy!
Repeat with 2 pcs of RAM.
Make sure that all power sockets on the motherboard were plugged in!
You didn't use the wrong power-switch pins, did you? :)
Also: listen to the other advice that told you to unplug the main board
from the case.
Did you change from a full-size ATX board to a M-ATX board? The spacers
on the case could be wrong and could have short-circuited the board.
--
@~@ Might, Courage, Vision, SINCERITY.
/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty! May the Force and Farce be with you!
/( _ )\ (Ubuntu 9.04) Linux 2.6.30.9
^ ^ 12:57:01 up 11 days 21:19 3 users load average: 1.18 1.21 1.29