Curse

Proff · Jul 28, 2008, 06:02 PM // 18:02

Hi, a friend of mine is having trouble with his computer and since I can't figure out what's wrong I thought I'd come to you guys for help.

I'm not completely sure about the specs but here is what I managed to get down:

Intel Motherboard (Not sure what model, but hasn't been changed since he bought it.)
Pentium 4 (Again, not sure what processor cause I didn't have the time to check. :/ )
CMX8L 64mb Graphics Card
2x Samsung 128 MB RDRAM (With 2x CRIMMs)
Mono Mode 400V Power supply

That's all I have, the problem is when he goes to power up the computer you get a black screen and 3 short beeps and then silent (still running with a blank screen). From what I got off of google it looks like it's something to do with the ram but I don't know what to do.

Thanks in advance.

zamial · Jul 28, 2008, 06:59 PM // 18:59

3 beeps at post could mean many things, depending on the bios. When the computer boots there will be a screen that flashes by, normaly pretty fast, It will say award, pheonix, ibm something. we need to know the bios running to diagnos this.

Also to add in a little more than 3 beeps. is it 1 long 2 short? or a variation? are all three the same?

A 3 beep post code can indicate a bad keyboard, make shure it is plugged in, in the right port, try a dif keyboard. that is the cheap fix. You can try yanking 1 stick out at a time to see what 1 is bad, if it is not the keyboard.
almost any other option at this point and it is time to upgrade, that system is getting pretty dated as such parts will be expensive.

most of the time if ram is cooked it will sound like a half dead demon growling softly inside the case.

Snograt · Jul 28, 2008, 07:07 PM // 19:07

My god - CRIMMs - I'd forgotten about those.

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone on teh webs

The only x86 processors to support use of Rambus memory and therefore need CRIMMs were slot 1 Intel Pentium III desktops, along with socket 423 and socket 478 Intel Pentium 4 processors.

The base64 RAM failure would be true on an AMI BIOS, if it's Award, it could be any number of things depending on which Award BIOS. Likelyhood there is RAM, too.

If the RAM has gone, I think you may have trouble finding replacements...

Proff · Jul 28, 2008, 07:20 PM // 19:20

Nothing goes by, just a black screen and 3 short beeps followed by nothingness.

I'll try another keyboard when I can. Already tried running one stick at a time, and in different slots but from what I understand it won't work unless all slots are filled so that doesn't leave many options.

I know it's old, but I'd like to help with what I can and then he can decide what to do with it.

No half dead demons growling inside

zamial · Jul 28, 2008, 08:17 PM // 20:17

Worth a try.

Unplug the power cord. Then hold down the power button for a long 30 seconds. Release power button, plug comp back in. try powering on.

Quaker · Jul 28, 2008, 09:23 PM // 21:23

Usually, those early beeps mean bad RAM or bad video card. If you remove the RAM and power up, you may get a different number/sequence of beeps. If it is different, the RAM is probably ok.
Then reinstall the RAM and remove the video card. If you still get the same beeps, the video card could be bad. Or it could just need to be re-seated in the slot. Plug it back in and try again.

Disclaimer - it should cause no harm to power up the computer without the ram or VC installed. I'm 99.9% sure, but I have limited experience with RDRAM.

Snograt · Jul 28, 2008, 09:49 PM // 21:49

Boom -tissshhhh.

(RIMM shot

)

Quaker · Jul 29, 2008, 03:05 PM // 15:05

Lol! ^^^

9 10 11 12

Lord Sojar · Jul 29, 2008, 09:46 PM // 21:46

Wow, RDRAM. That stuff was amazing. My guess is, the RDRAM has just had it. It is deader than a doornail. You will have to replace it.

http://www.memorysuppliers.com/rambu...FRJexwodiAdeQg

It is very expensive though...

Snograt · Jul 30, 2008, 07:02 PM // 19:02

Wow, I was righter than I thought. That is expensive.