Argh! Beeps driving me insane!

[Mani]

I just put together a system with an Abit TH7 II RAID (phoenix bios) and get nothing on bootup exept a series of beeps- high, low, high, low, high, low, in rapid succession ad nauseum. It doesn't seem to stop, though I've never let it go longer than 15 beeps or I'd probably go insane.

System is:
P4-2.2Ghz Northwood, 400fsb
Abit TH7 II RAID, Phoenix BIOS
Tried two sticks of 128 MB Samsung RDRAM, then two sticks of 256 MB Toshiba RDRAM, both getting same problem.
Seagate 20GB IDE HD
Lite On DVD-Rom
Nvidia Geforce 3- made sure it is seated correctly

I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the Memory configurations I've been trying. I've never put together an i850 system before so I don't know RAMBUS' quirks and the Manual for the TH7 isn't helpful.

What could I be doing wrong here? This is VERY frustrating!

Edit: After checking the manual and reading a review it looks like the BIOS may actually be an award plug n play BIOS. I saw a Phoenix BIOS chip on the motherboard so I assumed that to be the case. But since I haven't gotten the freaking thing to boot, I don't know for sure which it is.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dude8604]

http://www.webenet.net/~ntuser/phoenixbeep.htm

 

[Mani]

Thanks for the link but I'm not sure how to interpret it. I have just a high, low, high, low pattern and maybe I'm reading it wrong but I don't see anything matching that.

 

[Mani]

Just read the manual and it sayd that the board actually has an award BIOS, so I'm not sure if this changes things. Is anyone familiar with Award BIOS error beeps?

 

[DaiShan]

is the ram populating the memory banks correctly? check the manual for the correct way to insert memory, and in which order.

 

[Mani]

I checked the manual and it isn't very clear but I believe I have them in okay. I have the two 128 MB sticks in the first two slots and then the two C-RIMM modules in the other two slots.

 

[tbalon]

Are you sure it is not a high temp alarm? I know some ABIT boards have the ability to set the high limit alarm level in the BIOS. Perhaps this one is set too low. Otherwise try taking out the ram and using only one stick at a time.

 

[dude8604]

http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm

It says that repeating high/low beeps mean that there is a CPU problem.



<<
Either the CPU is not seated properly or the CPU is damaged.
>>

 

[Mani]

Hmmm...I've reseated the cpu multiple times, no pins are bent and no apparent problems with the zif socket. Anyone know if the TH7 II RAID supports Northwoods out of the box? Maybe that's the problem?

Edit: tbalon, I thought about that but I don't think overheating is a problem. I hae the case open and a coolermaster hsf blowing on top of the cpu. Thanks for the suggestion though.

And dude8604, your user rating has mysteriously increased.

 

[dude8604]

<<
TH7II-RAID is the first motherboard designed for use with Intel's upcoming 0.13-micron Pentium 4 processors codenamed "Northwood".
>>



http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/th7ii/default.asp

edit: Do you have annother motherboard to test the CPU with? It is possible that the CPU is damaged, but just not visibly damaged. Can you RMA it?

 

[Bleep]

<< I hae the case open and a coolermaster hsf blowing on top of the cpu. Thanks >>


what does this mean??? DO you have the heatsink and fan fastened down to the socket?? or just setting on top without the spring clips fastened.
Bleep

 

[Mani]

No other motherboard but I can RMA the cpu. I'll go and try another one I guess.

Bleep, I have it fastened to the cpu with the clips engaged.

 

[Bleep]

I does not sound like a fried cpu to me, I do think however that the beeps are the result of the thermal sensor sensing a overheating of the cpu check in the bios and see if there is a setting to disable the temp sensor to the cpu if there is shut it off and see if that helps. What kind of thermal pad or grease did you use..
Make sure that the bios reset is in the proper place. What I do is boot with nothing but the cpu. then add the memory and reboot and so forth. Just one stick of memory at a time. With just one stick of memory add the video card, then the hard drive next the keyboard and mouse next the floppy drive .The process of elimination is the only way when you dont have any extra stuff to try the stuff with.
Bleep

 

[tbalon]

if the temp is not a problem, then I have to agree with doing what bleep has sugested. you might also double check that you have the speaker leads and power switch and reset leads and hd leds and all other wiring set up correctly. also check any jumpers that are on the mobo to see if they are setup correctly . If nothing seems to work then it looks like you have to try taking the mobo out of the system and try powering it up on an insulated surface outside of the case. If it still doesn't do it you might take the CPU to a local computer shop and ask them to test it for you. If they are nice they will usually do this for free. Otherwise this leaves the mobo and the power supplythe latter of which can also be tesed very easily.
tbalon

 

[Mani]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Tonight I am trying a new cpu, will let you know how it goes.

 

[Mani]

Nooooooo! I just tried a 1.9 GHz cpu and same problem. This one's a non-northwood processor.

Tbalon and Bleep, I'll try yor suggestions- do you guys know if motherboards tpically have hard switches to kill the thermal sensor?

I'll try your other suggestions in the meantime.

 

[FrankBlack]

I currently have this problem on an older abit slot1 mobo(BF6). The motherboard originally posted, but after a year or so, started the intermitent alarm. I think it may be the CPU fan/heatsink. I know the BIOS does have some temp alarms for the cpu itself, but maybe if the hs/fan is not spinning fast enough it will also give the alarm? I am waiting for a cheap old p2 fan to come so I can test this myself. Just a thought if you used the same fan with both p4 procs.