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First time user - Computer wont post (tried using sticky info)

A

Alanstein

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
378
Hello everyone, first time builder that's unfortunately having a lot of issues getting my new system to POST at all,
My system specs are:
i7 860
Asus 5870
GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
Corsair 850 TX
WD cavair 640 Black

Installing everything went relativley fine, except for the installation of the Hyper 212 plus heatsink, which had the WORST directions and mounting brackets, but eventually that was installed as well.

However after setting everything up and plugging everything in, the system will not post, but only attempts to start upand then the error speaker starts emitting 8 second very fast beeps, after each 8 second interval it stops for a second and then continues.
I've tried switching the memory, and according to my motherboard manual continuous short beeps mean a power issue or the GPU is not seated corrected?
I've checked my GPU and it's fine, and the power supply seems to be ok as the Phase lights are on and the fans are running. Is there any way to check the powersupply to see if thats the issue?

Thank you for any help you give, and i hope this is something that isn't an RMA issue =/
 
Do you have another vid card you can try to see if it posts? Also...are the PCI-E power cables hooked up to the vid card?
 
Also; i tried calling Gigabyte but they're closed for the weekend so i can't get any help there =/
 
Vader said:
Do you have another vid card you can try to see if it posts? Also...are the PCI-E power cables hooked up to the vid card?
Click to expand...
I don't have any other video cards to use no, and yes they are hooked up
 
take the video card and re-install it

check that power cables are connected to everything that needs them, some commonly missed places:

4-pin molex (HDD style) on the mobo
4-pin floppy on the mobo
6 or 8-pin on the graphics card
secondary on the graphics card
4/6/8 pin auxilary 12V on the mobo

make sure the CMOS clear jumpers aren't set to "Clear" (some boards ship this way)
try clearing the CMOS
 
obobski said:
take the video card and re-install it

check that power cables are connected to everything that needs them, some commonly missed places:

4-pin molex (HDD style) on the mobo
4-pin floppy on the mobo
6 or 8-pin on the graphics card
secondary on the graphics card
4/6/8 pin auxilary 12V on the mobo

make sure the CMOS clear jumpers aren't set to "Clear" (some boards ship this way)
try clearing the CMOS
Click to expand...

I'm running a barebone test right now since it wasnt running assembled. the only things i have connected are the 24 pin power, 8 pin power, heatsink fan, error speaker, GPU and the two 6 pin graphic card connectors

How can i check and see if the jumpers are set to clear? and i'll try clearing the CMOS next.
 
I watched a video of the different beeps, it's definitely continuos short beeps rather than a long beep
 
I checked the power supply and the volt meters for the yellow connections are reading around +8 volts rather than +12, and the red is reading at 0 volts
does this mean my PSU is screwed?
 
+8 V!?

AND your motherboard hasn't died yet!?

The limit is around .25V (IIRC, ask Danny Bui for this type of info).
 
Alanstein said:
I checked the power supply and the volt meters for the yellow connections are reading around +8 volts rather than +12, and the red is reading at 0 volts
does this mean my PSU is screwed?
Click to expand...

unless your multimeter is a total piece of garbage, yes, this means the PSU is screwed, RMA time


jeremyshaw said:
+8 V!?

AND your motherboard hasn't died yet!?

The limit is around .25V (IIRC, ask Danny Bui for this type of info).
Click to expand...

its +/- 10% at absolute maximum per rail, more ideally +/- 5% (well, in a perfect world, it'd meet spec), meaning something between 10.8 and 11.4V is the bottom end limit for the +12V rail

I'd honestly just go with the RMA on this PSU, sometimes bad units get through, and no, this is no reason to start some rant about how you hate [insert retailer/brand/vendor/whatever the crap], just get a replacement
 
I switched out the PSU for another 850W i grabbed from Frys and am getting the same error message, unless both are bad it seems like it's a separate issue =/
 
Alanstein said:
I switched out the PSU for another 850W i grabbed from Frys and am getting the same error message, unless both are bad it seems like it's a separate issue =/
Click to expand...

whats the other 850W metering at?

there is a chance you damaged other hardware with the bad PSU....
 
obobski said:
whats the other 850W metering at?

there is a chance you damaged other hardware with the bad PSU....
Click to expand...

It's within where the manual says it should be for safe operation =/
At this point it's either the Mobo or the processor i guess, or even the my 5870..

I'm going to see if anyone has a GPU i can try, and am going to micro center tomorrow to swap out the processor for another one.
 
Alanstein said:
It's within where the manual says it should be for safe operation =/
At this point it's either the Mobo or the processor i guess, or even the my 5870..

I'm going to see if anyone has a GPU i can try, and am going to micro center tomorrow to swap out the processor for another one.
Click to expand...

honestly, if the new PSU works fine, you're just going to have to deal with whatever the previous unit may or may not have damaged, which could be anything (from memory, to CPU, to graphics card, etc)

and yes, bad PSUs suck to deal with, especially on your first build
 
obobski said:
honestly, if the new PSU works fine, you're just going to have to deal with whatever the previous unit may or may not have damaged, which could be anything (from memory, to CPU, to graphics card, etc)

and yes, bad PSUs suck to deal with, especially on your first build
Click to expand...

tell me about it :(

As i said im heading to micro center to replace the processor tomorrow, after that i guess it's just a process of elimination.

Is there any test i can do to tell if my memory was damaged or is bad? other than the standard switching slots/using only 1 or the other
 
Alanstein said:
tell me about it :(

As i said im heading to micro center to replace the processor tomorrow, after that i guess it's just a process of elimination.

Is there any test i can do to tell if my memory was damaged or is bad? other than the standard switching slots/using only 1 or the other
Click to expand...

without a lot of extra hardware, you basically have to cycle components until it works

but hey, you'll learn a whole lot in the process :D
 
Alanstein said:
tell me about it :(

As i said im heading to micro center to replace the processor tomorrow, after that i guess it's just a process of elimination.

Is there any test i can do to tell if my memory was damaged or is bad? other than the standard switching slots/using only 1 or the other
Click to expand...

Its more likely the board than the CPU.

You said you get the same continuous error beep sequence with the new PSU? Is this without any RAM installed? If so, also try removing the vidcard and see if you get the same sequence.
Did you try clearing the CMOS yet?
What's the model # of the new PSU?
 
I am having the same issue with the same board, the GA-P55-UD4P. I am using a brand new Antec True Power 750. I have tried without memory and the video card and I get the same repetitive beeps for several seconds. I am currently using the video card in my old computer so I know that works. I also tried an older video card from another computer.

I guess my next step will be to try another power supply.
 
If you can, I'd check to see how the pins are hitting the CPU - given today's major headlines...
I wouldn't be worried about the RAM (assuming you have the CL8 set). My board (and SPD also) should default to a crazy relaxed cas 9 setting, plus bad RAM would be long beeps anyway.

So yeah, I'd actually check the CPU/socket first and foremost.

*brennok - I sent you a PM.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the links. Everything looks ok there from what I can tell. I don't see any bent pins but not sure if some might not be making contact.

As far as memory I actually have the CL9...G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ. It is on the memory list on Gigabyte's web page also so it should work fine. I was using an EVGA 8800GT which I know works since like I said I am using it now. I also tried with a 7900GS just in case.

Well I tried another PSU a corsair HX620 and same beeps. I guess I will remove the motherboard now and see if it works outside of the case.
 
Last edited:
Well I think I have just about tried everything and all with the same results. I have now unsuccessfully tried outside of the case and still I get the same beeps.
 
Ok, I'm confused. brennok, which beep sequence are you getting?
Do you get the same continuous error beep sequence without any RAM installed?
If so, also try removing the vidcard and see if you get the same sequence.
Did you try clearing the CMOS yet?
Did you try re-seating the CPU?
 
enginurd said:
Ok, I'm confused. brennok, which beep sequence are you getting?
Do you get the same continuous error beep sequence without any RAM installed?
If so, also try removing the vidcard and see if you get the same sequence.
Did you try clearing the CMOS yet?
Did you try re-seating the CPU?
Click to expand...

As far as I can tell I get the short continuous beep sequence when it is only the motherboard, CPU, and powersupply connected. The beeps are so close together that at first I thought it was one long continuous beep. It goes for a second or two and then stops and starts again. The more I listened to it the more it sounds like short but rapid fire beeps. I wish I could find the video he was referring to just to be sure but my google searches weren't turning up anything. Also the LED on the board goes to full red when it does so but I have read it does this when it goes into the bios so no idea if it means something else also.

I tried removing the video card and actually put it back in the computer I am using now. I then installed an older video card and got the same beeps.

Yeah I tried that using an old jumper and it resulted in the same beeps.

I also tried removing the stock cooler and CPU. I tried looking to see pin marks after reading the other threads about issues with the Foxconn chipsets but can't tell if there is an issue there and my camera phone sucks.

I have connected two different PSUs and even with nothing other than the CPU connected I get the same beeps and the LED fully lights up to red.
 
Well after all that I figured out my issue. Apparently even though the short beeps point to PSU issues according to the Gigabyte site and manual, it usually is memory related instead. Dumbass me must of put the memory in the 1st and 3rd slot like a C2D build. I missed it in the manual last night and found it when I was putting my build back together again today to test again after work.
 
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