Out of case build, beeps & no display

[duck_duck_goose]

I'm doing an out of case build. I have the monitor connected to the onboard video. It turns on when I short it, but there is no display and I get repeating beeps about 1 or 2 seconds in length.

MSI 661FM2 motherboard
Pentium 4 2.8 Northwood
US Modular 256MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz

[ChoboSeki]

Check the motherboard manual for the beeping.

[Panama Red]

Recheck the heatsink and make sure the lower bracket is attached firmly to the mobo. Also check that the hsf clamps are all fully inserted in the notches of the mounting bracket. Good chance you have defective or incompatible memory. Did you remember to plug in the aux 4 pin connector for the cpu?

[duck_duck_goose]

I checked the heatsink for everything. The 4 pin connector is connected. The memory is compatible. Is it safe to assume it's a defective memory?

edit: The manual says nothing about the beeps.

[Panama Red]

If you have multiple sticks of ram, try them one at a time.

[duck_duck_goose]

I only have one

[Panama Red]

Check the memory again and make sure it is fully seated and/or try it in another slot. If it still beeps, borrow another stick of PC3200.

[duck_duck_goose]

I finally got another stick of RAM and used it instead. Same beeps, no display.

edit: btw, new RAM is Kingston 512MB PC3200 400MHz DDR

[duck_duck_goose]

I seem to have solved my problem. The old RAM must've been bad, cause it wasn't working in either slot. But I put the new RAM in slot one, closest to the CPU, and it worked.

Let this be for everyone's reference: If only one stick of RAM is to be used, it must go in the slot closest to the CPU. Most of the guides I read didn't bother to specify that.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by duck_duck_goose Let this be for everyone's reference: If only one stick of RAM is to be used, it must go in the slot closest to the CPU. Most of the guides I read didn't bother to specify that.

That isn't always the case. Best to check the motherboard manual to see if there is a specific memory slot to use first. Most memory slots are identified with a number...start with the number 1 memory slot.

Cricket

[duck_duck_goose]

Hmm, interesting. Also interesting how manuals never say anything about anything.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by duck_duck_goose Also interesting how manuals never say anything about anything.

Some companies will supply a very simple paper "manual" with the motherboard and put an electronic manual (the one with all the important information) on the motherboard CD as a .pdf file. I know Intel has been doing this for quite some time now. Maybe MSI is doing the same thing.

Cricket