Having trouble get a motherboard setup

[mallik]

I'm trying to get this board I got from somebody to work. It's an MSI K7T266Pro board. I just installed the basics: Duron 700 CPU, Voodoo 3 2000 PCI video card, and Kingmax PC3200 (I think) memory. When I turn on the system, nothing comes up on the screen. I just hear 3 beeps, a little pause, and then 3 beeps etc. The diagnostic lights are red, green, red, red from top to bottom. I was thinking maybe to take out the CMOS battery for a little while and then reinstall it, but I don't know if that will work. Please help.

 

[MTDEW]

Thats a memory error.
Reseat the ram or try different slots.

Or you may be running the ram out of spec, hard to tell since in your post you seemed to indicate you were'nt really sure of the memory's specs.
(look in the bios and see if theres an option to set the memory timings by SPD or something similar)

 

[mallik]

Thanks, I'll have to try it when I get home. I'm pretty sure this is the type of memory I have:

http://www.kingmax.com/product/pro_deskMPXB62D-68KX3.htm

I'm not sure if there would be compatibility issues. How would I look in the BIOS if the system won't display anything on the screen? Is there a way?

I tried resetting the CMOS by flipping the jumper, and also by leaving the battery out overnight, but that didn't work. Maybe I'll get another stick of memory to try out. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for?
thanks

 

[RelaxTheMind]

Im under the impression that motherboard only supports up to PC2100 spec ram. Did you buy all that stuff together? Im thinking the only way is to find another stick of ram pc2100 or pc1600 to use. Or I would RMA that RAM for exchange for slower ram.

I have had luck getting pc2700 ram to work in older 266fsb motherboards but not pc3200.

Look for PC2100 ram. older but maybe like $5 more expensive.

 

[mallik]

Oh really? Damn, I figured the board took slower RAM as it's an older board, but I thought that if I put in faster RAM the board would just downgrade it. I guess not. I didn't buy the stuff together so it could be possible that the RAM isn't compatible. Thanks

 

[hertz9753]

 

[hertz9753]

I was just thinking. Does the monitor come up on most motherboards without any ram installed? Somebody help me out.

 

[MTDEW]

No, video doesnt display until after post.
(no post, no video)

Are you still getting the memory code errors? (beeps)

 

[imported_RedStar]

i still use that motherboard in my main system.

yup definately a memory warning with the LEDs.

but i also thought faster ram just defaulted back to slower speed.

the only requirement in the manual was that it has to be 2.5 volt 184 pin DDR Dimm

 

[ZYFER]

did you clear the CMOS settings by use the CMS reset jumper on the motherboard? I assume you have the manual and can consult that to find it.
removing the battery can also be done, be sure to unplug it too or removing the battery will do nothing 🙂 just wait like a minute afterwards to make sure the voltage has been discharged

 

[mallik]

Thanks for all of the tips guys. I tried the reset CMOS jumper and taking out the battery, but it didn't work.

I went out and got come PC2100 RAM to try out. I put it in, turned it on, and I still got the beeps. At that point I was ready to break something, but then I tried the RAM in the furthest slot (first time I tried it in the closest slot), and it started up 🙂

The only issues now, is that it seems a little flakey. For example, later I got the error codes with the RAM in the furthest slot, and then I took it out and reinstalled it, and it worked. I don't know, maybe it wasn't seated in there properly.

Which brings me to the next issue. The memory clip in the furthest slot is broken. It looked like it was attached to the memory slot, but when I tried to flip it open, it came off. Would that cause any problems, seeing as how the clip isn't holding the memory securely? Would I be able to find a replacement clip anywhere, maybe from the manufacturer?