Ident. of unknown beep code

[Ozzie]

System MB Matsonic MS5010; Chip set i430VX; Processor Pent MMX 200Mhz. BIOS AWARD i430VX-02071997C-00

I tried installing some PC100 SDRAM 32MB DIMM but system turned on with no video and emitted a continous beeping at a constant once per second interval. Installing orig. VDO mem didn't eliminate the problem. I know the system only supports PC66 SDRAM but I didn't think it would be permanently out of commission. (I had PC100 on hand, not PC66)

Existing information I have seen on BIOS beep codes does not describe a once per second continuous beeping. Other than this the disc drive spins, fan turns etc. Anybody ever run across this condition. I was possibly thinking somehow the flash BIOS was corrupted from putting in the PC100 mem. which perhaps had a SPD (serial presence detect) unknown to the existing BIOS.

Thankyou Susan, smokin1 and mykel. It is encouraging no one said the MB is done in. Further info is the system was operational before swapping the memory. After this happened I retried my old VDO SIMMS and the beeping was still there but I admit I did this quickly and could have missed perfectly seating it. But, I installed my orig. mem. in my daughters computer (which is now away at college)leaving me with nothing but the PC100 to try. I will get some other SIMMS soon for test purposes. I guess if there is no memory at all I souldn't expect to get a no memory message?

I just got a message from the distributer (orig. Vircom now bought out by QualityClick) indicating that this board my not work with any type of 168 pin SDRAM mem. even though its spec'd and slotted for up to 32MB of PC66 SDRAM.

Other than that the keyboard was OK when I started and I was careful to reseat the video board. I also, cleared the cmos with the jumper. My mistake is possibly expecting to see a message with no memory in the slots - I guess from your input this is not possible.

I still wonder what generates the once per second beep, the BIOS or the chipset or what? Once per second beeping continous does not appear under any documentation I have seen on BIOS Beep codes.?

Thanks for your input - Ozzie

[This message has been edited by Ozzie (edited 10-13-99).]

[Susan]

Have you tried clearing your CMOS on board the MB?

[smokin1]

A continuous beep used to mean to me that the keyboard was stuck or there is a bad power
supply
/forum/wink.gif

[mykel]

Follow what Susan had just said, and make sure that the memory is inserted firmly.. What Smokin had just said happens too, but if you have a stucked keyboard, you're still supposed to see the screen boot up.. The beeping sound and a blank screen would only happen if your memory is not firmly inserted or your videocard.. What I meant by that is if you don't put any memory on the slot, you'll hear the beep, same as the videocard... /forum/wink.gif
And also, your motherboard doesn't support the PC100 so there's no way that you can get that board up and running with that PC100 ( well it might, just try ) but my strongest suggestion is check if your videocard is firmly inserted too ( coz sometime when you stick a memory on the slot, the videocard kinda pop up a bit and check your memory too.. /forum/smile.gif Hope that helped!
XS: Don't mess with the bios yet..... Just play with the memory and videocard... Also clear the CMOS first...

mike

[This message has been edited by mykel (edited 10-13-99).]