holemania
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Computer - 3 long post beep
I have a computer with a MSI G31M3-L V2 motherboard. It was working fine until yesterday when I boot up the PC, I get 3 long post beep and then nothing. The monitor is blank with nothing. I tried swapping new working RAM as well as a known working video card with no luck. Normally, from my understanding with 3 long post beep is issue with RAM. Yet, replacing it with a known working memory stick yield no result. Could it be issue with the motherboard? I took out all components, blow dust, and reseat it back with same result. I tried swapping the memory stick from one slot to the other and same thing. Tried clearing CMOS as well with no luck.
I'm out of option other than get a replacement motherboard. However, most stores won't let me return the motherboard if I do find out it's not the motherboard after getting it. Want to figure out what other options to try before going that route.
I'm out of option other than get a replacement motherboard. However, most stores won't let me return the motherboard if I do find out it's not the motherboard after getting it. Want to figure out what other options to try before going that route.
SOLUTION
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start with a minimum setup : motherboard, cpu , 1 ram stick, video card and monitor
(no peripheralsn keyb or mouse) if beeps : bad component : - since you changed video card - motherbaord...
(no peripheralsn keyb or mouse) if beeps : bad component : - since you changed video card - motherbaord...
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ASKER
I believe the motherboard manufacturer is AMI, but could be wrong. It gives 3 long beeps about 15-20 seconds long and then stop.
I tried taking out every component and adding it one at a time. Started with motherboard and cpu, and then adding memory. However, still beeps. Note that I had tried new memory as well as video card and still beeps.
As for PCI Post card, I do have one that I purchased a while back. I don't remember the code or what it stand for any more, but mine is showing FF.
As I mentioned before, starting out with minimum hardware and it beep right away. This is with motherboard and CPU only. Add in the memory and it still beep. Add in video card and it beep. Only thing I can rule out is the motherboard, but not sure how to tell if it's the motherboard since there's not enough info that point to it other than I tried swapping out everything except for CPU and motherboard.
I tried taking out every component and adding it one at a time. Started with motherboard and cpu, and then adding memory. However, still beeps. Note that I had tried new memory as well as video card and still beeps.
As for PCI Post card, I do have one that I purchased a while back. I don't remember the code or what it stand for any more, but mine is showing FF.
As I mentioned before, starting out with minimum hardware and it beep right away. This is with motherboard and CPU only. Add in the memory and it still beep. Add in video card and it beep. Only thing I can rule out is the motherboard, but not sure how to tell if it's the motherboard since there's not enough info that point to it other than I tried swapping out everything except for CPU and motherboard.
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Last resort, remove the CPU heat sink, remove the CPU chip and reseat it.
>> I believe the motherboard manufacturer is AMI << you are wrong; AMI only makes BIOS'es
anyhow, it looks like abad mobo or cpu - check also the capacotors around the cpu - for leaking or bulging ones
caps.png
anyhow, it looks like abad mobo or cpu - check also the capacotors around the cpu - for leaking or bulging ones
caps.png
ASKER
Yes, correction what I meant to said is the bios manufacturer is I think AMI and this is in answering the first post about post beep. The brand of the motherboard is MSI as mentioned on my original thread.
Anyway to test a CPU to see if it's bad? I would assume if it's a bad CPU, I would get a post beep from the motherboard indicating that it's issue with CPU. However, 3 long beep from what I've been researching indicate bad ram or keyboard. However, replacing both of these does nothing. I hate to try it on a motherboard and find out that isn't it either since I don't have Socket 775 compatiable mobo to test it with.
Anyway to test a CPU to see if it's bad? I would assume if it's a bad CPU, I would get a post beep from the motherboard indicating that it's issue with CPU. However, 3 long beep from what I've been researching indicate bad ram or keyboard. However, replacing both of these does nothing. I hate to try it on a motherboard and find out that isn't it either since I don't have Socket 775 compatiable mobo to test it with.
Agree with nobus. Sounds like it may be a bad CPU at this point. Try borrowing one and swapping it.
Also see if there is an emergency BIOS flash procedure. The emergency procedure can reflash the BIOS without booting the system. If there is an emergency procedure, try to flash the earliest available BIOS.
Also see if there is an emergency BIOS flash procedure. The emergency procedure can reflash the BIOS without booting the system. If there is an emergency procedure, try to flash the earliest available BIOS.
Do you have another power supply you could test with it? Maybe it's just the power supply not working properly. Those tend to go out far more often than the CPU.
>> Anyway to test a CPU to see if it's bad? << yes - try it on a KNOWN GOOD compatible motherboard
that's the only practical way to test it - apart from buying equipment for 100.000$
that's the only practical way to test it - apart from buying equipment for 100.000$
ASKER
Turns out it's the motherboard. After replacing it, it seems to be working.
>> After replacing it, it seems to be working. << strange comment - it works or not imo...
http://www.technick.net/public/code/cp_dpage.php?aiocp_dp=guide_beep_codes