raptorpb1
asked on
PC wont boot up after bad ram message
My friend has a custom built pc, and he has been getting a "System failed memory test" message. So we figured out it was the RAM by removing one of the sticks, and the message is gone. Now though, when he boots his pc, it turns on, but nothing comes up. The monitor is blank. It is plugged in, the video card is in.
Any ideas?
Its a a8n-sli mobo, geforce 6600 video, its set on non-sli mode.
Any ideas?
Its a a8n-sli mobo, geforce 6600 video, its set on non-sli mode.
smiffy13
Have you tried swapping the sticks of ram?
ASKER
yes
Does the video card require a separate power cable, and if so, is it attached? Does the motherboard have the extra 4-pin square power connector attached?
ASKER
The video card doesnt have a power plug, and the 4 pin power plug is connected to the motherboard
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When you removed the RAM did you make sure that slot 1 was the one that was populated. Most MBs need you to populate the RAM bays from lowest number to highest
Also check the memory speed in the BIOS. I had an instance once where the BIOS setting of "auto detect" didn't. I had to enter the RAM speed by hand, then it was recognized. I can't recall too much detail, but I believe the RAM I was using was slower than what the mobo expected.
I've built computers where the AGP slot on the MB is disabled until your boot into Windows. The computer would not boot at all - and I was stumped for a good hour. (I used a cheap old 32 MB pci card I had laying around) and enable/install drivers in device manager. Only then could I power off, chuck the PCI card and use the AGP card.
ASKER
No, the pc was working before, so AGP isnt disabled.
I cant get to the BIOS to check the RAM, cause I cannot see anything on the screen.
Slot 1 is populated.
I would try the minimal, but since Im talking my friend on the phone to do it, I dont want him to take it out. Im still thinking its bad RAM, but I should get at least a POST message
I cant get to the BIOS to check the RAM, cause I cannot see anything on the screen.
Slot 1 is populated.
I would try the minimal, but since Im talking my friend on the phone to do it, I dont want him to take it out. Im still thinking its bad RAM, but I should get at least a POST message
Any new progress?
have your buddy take the RAM to a local computer shop. They should be able to test the RAM for you.
have your buddy take the RAM to a local computer shop. They should be able to test the RAM for you.