Windows 7: Three beeps at boot and no video

Have a custom made desktop running 7 32bits on an Intel DG43NB board 4GB and a Q0650 processor.

I recently acquired this machine for nothing and changed the thermals and did a good clean up and it has been running fine as my tester until last night when I booted it went to get a coffee came back to find a blank screen and the CPU fan running full tilt.

Rebooted and the machine starts up then stops > three beeps > machine starts up again and runs full tilt again. There is no video - have tried the DVI and the AVG output out of the card and the mobo connections so I cannot get into BIOS to see if there is a problem there. Being three beeps I thought memory so change it for same - another brand - no differences.

Took the CPU cooler off and powered on an the CPU started to get warm but not so much as one could not keep your finger on it.

Reinstalled the CPU with AS and replaced the original RAM - no change.

Has the mobo crashed for some reason or is there another thing I could check? Perhaps the PSU volts as my mate suggested?

I would really like to keep this one going as it has performed so well and sits alongside machines I am fixing for SF tuts and other info, doenloading drivers etc plus it is almost as quick as my Sandy bridge build also the CPU if you can get one is horrendously priced.

Three beeps generally means a bad block of memory in a chip (usually the first module). Try running with just one module and see if there is a change. If that does not work, run with the minimum for getting into the BIOS: CPU, one RAM module, graphics card (or onboard if it is available), a monitor, keyboard, and mouse (if your BIOS requires a mouse, otherwise, the keyboard is enough). Obviously, you will need the motherboard too.

My guess is, if the above still does not allow you to get into the BIOS, there is something else at work here; likely a motherboard or PSU issue.

As you add and remove hardware, follow these steps for ESD safety:

1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working.

Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

3 beeps on an Intel board is no memory, check to ensure the ram modules are fully seated.> http://downloadmirror.intel.com/1599...01_English.pdf

I am fairly certain if the modules were swapped out, the set would have been seated properly in one of those cases. My bet is there is something wrong with a slot interfering with the other modules which is why I recommended stripping down to just one module. Not to say that your advice is bad; it is actually very good and providing the motherboard manual link was very helpful. I would just be surprised if the memory was not seated properly with both sets.

Hiyya fellas I found the culprit late last night -one of the RAM sticks had gone bad as on the bench one got warm an the other stayed stone cold. So luckily I have got a spare (it did fire up on 2GB) and I am back in the land of the living

I also removed the small GPU and card reader cables and now the monitor even works off the mobo I was fairly convinced it was a RAM problem with the three beeps but why one stick should let go just like that is strange.

I was really worried that the Intel Q9650 had let go cos a) they are like hens teeth and b) more expensive than a Sandy Bridge to buy.

But in any case I'll run a memtest later on just to check out the other original stick and out of curiosity of course.

But again thanks so much for your time and patience

You said you used two sets of modules. Did you have a bad stick in each set, or did you use the same stick in both?

Anyway, glad you got it sorted. Best wishes that was the last of the problems.

No first up I just tried swapping them around stick one in slot two and vice versa but no difference so that is when I felt the sticks and the that one was cold. So replaced the "warm" one back in slot one and got the spare into slot two. Two different brands as the original looked like a matched pair - but it works!

I am going to get a new pair of Corsair DDR2 (PC 5300) for backup a it is only $35 and well not going to break the bank eh?

Strange thing was I was getting a message with just one stick in saying that I had a stick missing and some sort of error message (very quick) then it booted!

Plus I notice that (and it just could be coincidence) that the CPU temp is down to 33C now whereas I was running 35-37C with original sticks.

The CPU memory controller may have been working harder before due to more RAM or possibly due to the bad module.

I guess I misunderstood what you said in your first post. I thought you swapped one set of RAM for a second set rather than just swapping around the one set. Regardless, the important thing is that you knew what you meant and you found a solution through your own troubleshooting. Nice work.

Also, I agree that getting a new set for little expense is a good idea. Always best to have matching RAM bought at the same time.

Thanks writhziden it is always nice to get a pat on the back for something from the experts such as yourself - I am really appreciative