New computer with old parts won't boot

geetrue · 12-05-11, 08:49 PM

Can the fact that you have 32gb of ram in four dimn slots at 8gb each slot cause a problem of the computer not even coming on?

I get no action, no lights, no bells or whistles, no nothing happens

New mobo ECS brand motherboard A885GM-A2
New CPU AM3 955 3.2ghz black edition 2 cores
New G Skill 1600 4X8gb = 32gb

old video card Ati pci-e 5500 something something

Antec 650 w power supply

The manual says that the memory slots can only accomadate up to 16gb total using 4gb only at a time.

I ordered 4 4gb sticks, but it was a black friday sale at Newegg and they sent me 4 8gb sticks. I didn't want to complain I can use them someday.

So would that keep it from coming on even?

or would the CPU be the reason?

The CPU is 2 core and can be opened up to four core.

The review said that you had to start off with a small 4 core CPU to build up the bios to handle the new 6 core which is just an up grade issue someday, but not right now.

frau kaleun · 12-05-11, 09:39 PM

The specs for that board that I got when I googled say this about memory:

Quote:

º Dual-channel DDR3 memory architecture
º 4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM socket support up to 32GB*
º Support DDR3 up to 1600(OC)/1333/1066 DDR3 SDRAM
º *(Due to the DRAM maximum size is 4GB at present, the memory maximum size we have tested is 16GB)
Due to the operating system limitation, the actual memory size may be less than 4GB for the reservation for system usage under Windows® 32-bit OS.
For Windows® 64-bit OS with 64-bit CPU, there is no such limitation

http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pro...uID=19&LanID=0

That looks to me like the board should support all your RAM but why wouldn't they test it for the maximum? Did they not have a 64-bit copy of Windows on hand? That just seems odd.

Arclight · 12-05-11, 09:56 PM

Their site makes no mention of a limit on capacity.

Well, they mention 32GB max, but since DDR3 can't do modules bigger than 8GB it's a non-issue.

That said, it's perfectly possible that specific kit or brand is simply incompatible with that board.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

That looks to me like the board should support all your RAM but why wouldn't they test it for the maximum? Did they not have a 64-bit copy of Windows on hand? That just seems odd.

8GB modules haven't been around that long. Either they didn't have any to test with or they simply didn't exist at the time.

frau kaleun · 12-05-11, 10:30 PM

Ah, hadn't even considered it from that angle.

There's a QVL for memory at that site too:

http://download.ecs.com.tw/dlfileecs..._MemoryQVL.pdf

There's some G Skill on there but the only 4 gig modules listed are by Kingston, Samsung, and Kingmax... but AFAIK that doesn't preclude the possibility of something else working, just means it wasn't specifically tested. Which doesn't really help much I guess.

geetrue · 12-06-11, 04:08 PM

I live in a very rural place so I will have a stick of 4gb air dropped in by Fed Ex just to see if that is the problem.

Thanks for looking that up

So what your saying that if everything else is okay it won't even try to turn on unless it has the correct ram?

frau kaleun · 12-06-11, 04:15 PM

I don't think a computer will boot up without RAM installed... well I don't think it would boot the OS anyway. If the RAM that's in there isn't recognized or usable by the motherboard, I expect it would be the same as having none there at all. But I don't know for sure. It seems like when I was testing my current mobo I had the fans and PSU hooked up at one point and was able to turn things on just to make sure that stuff was all good. But that was before I had an OS installed or a drive hooked up, I think. It was purely to test the power connections.

AVGWarhawk · 12-06-11, 04:21 PM

The OS draws off the RAM to operate.

frau kaleun · 12-06-11, 04:27 PM

That's what I'm thinking, if it's trying to boot an OS from a drive then it's gonna require RAM that works and if what's there isn't compatible with the mobo then it's like having none at all.

But wouldn't you still get some indication that the power was at least switched on to the machine? I mean, the powered up light on the board, fans coming on, something?

kiwi_2005 · 12-06-11, 05:20 PM

moving the ram around in different slots sometimes helps. I got an old pc going but before it started working right the same thing happened no lights, or beep sounds, nothing I pulled out the ram and just swapped them a few times before it booted up, was able to start on windows install. They were 1g ram chips, pc had 3 slots 2 of the ram were different brands. So probably wasn't a good idea from the start but it worked.

longam · 12-06-11, 05:36 PM

Are both the power connectors hooked up, I always start with the basics.

From the manual, page 6 (page 5 picture)
Label 4. ATX_POWER Standard 24-pin ATX power connector
Label 25. ATX12V 8-pin +12V power connector

Confirm the front panel switch is connected and correct.
Label10. F_PANEL Front panel switch/LED header

If different connection from previous MB you might have to use an OHM meter to find the NO (normally open) set of contact on the power switch and test for closure on the pin out while depressed.

Arclight · 12-06-11, 05:55 PM

^

Board should power on with only a CPU installed. If there is no RAM, it will give (beep) an error code.

longam · 12-07-11, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

^

Board should power on with only a CPU installed. If there is no RAM, it will give (beep) an error code.

You should be able to do a post with only CPU and Video card and 2 sticks of memory in correct slots (working components that is)

geetrue · 12-07-11, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longam

Are both the power connectors hooked up, I always start with the basics.

From the manual, page 6 (page 5 picture)
Label 4. ATX_POWER Standard 24-pin ATX power connector
Label 25. ATX12V 8-pin +12V power connector

Confirm the front panel switch is connected and correct.
Label10. F_PANEL Front panel switch/LED header

If different connection from previous MB you might have to use an OHM meter to find the NO (normally open) set of contact on the power switch and test for closure on the pin out while depressed.

That could be the problem the panel is hard to understand which way the little power on SW goes and the HDD led is on the same panel along with the restart.

I'll play with that problem, cause Arclight says that something should happen even with no ram ...

My HDD is a brand new portable Seagate 1.5TB USB3 plugged into USB2 till I can get up and running loading new Win 7 64bit OS if I ever get that far that is.

Thanks

CaptainHaplo · 12-09-11, 07:18 PM

Its not a mem issue - its either the MB isn't hooked up right - or the PS isnt getting power or is shot.

The key is not just the power connections - to be honest the hardest part for me to learn was the actual power and reset switch connections. The pins are tiny and you have to make sure you orientate the board and count pins right. For the last decade or so I use a major light source, needlenose pliers and a mag lens to put them on whenever I need to.

geetrue · 01-31-12, 09:07 PM

Thank you for all of your adivce ...
finally got it running with 2 sticks of 4gb ram
I even put it in slots 1 and 2 when the book said to put it in 3 and 4

plus the little power switch was tricky too

boots into new windows 7 64bit and the genius keyboard was only for Vista

usb modem for Vista needs new driver too and still trying to get online

lots of work, but sure feels good to up and running something

12-05-11, 08:49 PM	#1
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	New computer with old parts won't boot Can the fact that you have 32gb of ram in four dimn slots at 8gb each slot cause a problem of the computer not even coming on? I get no action, no lights, no bells or whistles, no nothing happens New mobo ECS brand motherboard A885GM-A2 New CPU AM3 955 3.2ghz black edition 2 cores New G Skill 1600 4X8gb = 32gb old video card Ati pci-e 5500 something something Antec 650 w power supply The manual says that the memory slots can only accomadate up to 16gb total using 4gb only at a time. I ordered 4 4gb sticks, but it was a black friday sale at Newegg and they sent me 4 8gb sticks. I didn't want to complain I can use them someday. So would that keep it from coming on even? or would the CPU be the reason? The CPU is 2 core and can be opened up to four core. The review said that you had to start off with a small 4 core CPU to build up the bios to handle the new 6 core which is just an up grade issue someday, but not right now. __________________

12-06-11, 04:08 PM	#5
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I live in a very rural place so I will have a stick of 4gb air dropped in by Fed Ex just to see if that is the problem. Thanks for looking that up So what your saying that if everything else is okay it won't even try to turn on unless it has the correct ram? __________________

12-06-11, 04:21 PM	#7
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 27,343 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	The OS draws off the RAM to operate. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

12-06-11, 05:20 PM	#9
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	moving the ram around in different slots sometimes helps. I got an old pc going but before it started working right the same thing happened no lights, or beep sounds, nothing I pulled out the ram and just swapped them a few times before it booted up, was able to start on windows install. They were 1g ram chips, pc had 3 slots 2 of the ram were different brands. So probably wasn't a good idea from the start but it worked. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

12-06-11, 05:55 PM	#11
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	^ Board should power on with only a CPU installed. If there is no RAM, it will give (beep) an error code. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

12-05-11, 10:30 PM	#4
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Ah, hadn't even considered it from that angle. There's a QVL for memory at that site too: http://download.ecs.com.tw/dlfileecs..._MemoryQVL.pdf There's some G Skill on there but the only 4 gig modules listed are by Kingston, Samsung, and Kingmax... but AFAIK that doesn't preclude the possibility of something else working, just means it wasn't specifically tested. Which doesn't really help much I guess.

12-06-11, 04:15 PM	#6
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	I don't think a computer will boot up without RAM installed... well I don't think it would boot the OS anyway. If the RAM that's in there isn't recognized or usable by the motherboard, I expect it would be the same as having none there at all. But I don't know for sure. It seems like when I was testing my current mobo I had the fans and PSU hooked up at one point and was able to turn things on just to make sure that stuff was all good. But that was before I had an OS installed or a drive hooked up, I think. It was purely to test the power connections.

12-06-11, 04:27 PM	#8
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	That's what I'm thinking, if it's trying to boot an OS from a drive then it's gonna require RAM that works and if what's there isn't compatible with the mobo then it's like having none at all. But wouldn't you still get some indication that the power was at least switched on to the machine? I mean, the powered up light on the board, fans coming on, something?

12-06-11, 05:36 PM	#10
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Are both the power connectors hooked up, I always start with the basics. From the manual, page 6 (page 5 picture) Label 4. ATX_POWER Standard 24-pin ATX power connector Label 25. ATX12V 8-pin +12V power connector Confirm the front panel switch is connected and correct. Label10. F_PANEL Front panel switch/LED header If different connection from previous MB you might have to use an OHM meter to find the NO (normally open) set of contact on the power switch and test for closure on the pin out while depressed.

12-09-11, 07:18 PM	#14
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Its not a mem issue - its either the MB isn't hooked up right - or the PS isnt getting power or is shot. The key is not just the power connections - to be honest the hardest part for me to learn was the actual power and reset switch connections. The pins are tiny and you have to make sure you orientate the board and count pins right. For the last decade or so I use a major light source, needlenose pliers and a mag lens to put them on whenever I need to. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

01-31-12, 09:07 PM	#15
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Thank you for all of your adivce ... finally got it running with 2 sticks of 4gb ram I even put it in slots 1 and 2 when the book said to put it in 3 and 4 plus the little power switch was tricky too boots into new windows 7 64bit and the genius keyboard was only for Vista usb modem for Vista needs new driver too and still trying to get online lots of work, but sure feels good to up and running something __________________