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Computer giving beep codes possible bad ram?

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gmambrose

PCHF Member
Feb 13, 2019
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#1
Hello, I have an acer predator G3620 desktop computer (IPIMB-AR mobo). This morning my computer screen would not come back on when I moved the mouse (computer was left on last night as it usually is). I shut it off and turned it back on but all I got was 3 short beeps followed by a pause and another set of 3 short beeps (beep beep beep pause beep beep beep), with no video on the screen. I was unable to find out what that specific set of beeps meant by searching online, but I had a pretty good idea it was either the graphics card or the system memory. Trying it with and without the graphics card produced the same set of beeps. I swapped the 2 ram chips (two 4GB dimms) from dimm slots 1 and 2 (where they have been for the 5 or so years I have had the computer to dimm slots 3 and 4 and after swapping a few times and resetting the cmos, I was finally able to get the system to boot. The problem now is that there is obviously still something going on simce when I goto reboot the computer, I get the same 3 beep pause 3 beep code, at which time I have to turn it off by holding the power button. Then if I'm lucky it will boot up again when turned back on, or I may have to try a few times before getting it to boot again without giving the beep code.

Does it seem in this case that the ram has gone bad? or is it more likely the dimm slots on the motherboard are going bad? It seems to boot up better in slots 3 and 4, but it will boot in slots 1 and 2 also. But like I said as soon as I reboot the computer, I get the same beep code again. I don't want to order new ram unless I have a good idea that it will fix the problem. Any suggestions you can give would be very much appreciated. If you need more info let me know, I'll be continuously monitoring this thread and I'll reply right away. Thanks!

I'll add that I have tested the RAM with the 'windows memory diagnostic tool' and it found no problems. Is there a better tool to test the ram with?
 
#2
Welcome to PCHF gmambrose,

3 beeps could also be the VRAM of any add on video card or the MB itself complaining.

Can you tell us what CPU you have, does the MB have integrated video ports and do you have an add on video card.
 
#3
Sorry for the delay in my reply, it appears the site was down most of the day yesterday. Glad to see it back up now.

CPU is Intel i7 3770 3.4Ghz, mobo does have an integrated HDMI as well as VGA port, neither one is being used because I have a Geforce GT630 PCI x16 card that I am using. The same problem occurred with and without the video card inserted, so I didn't think it had anything to do with the video card, please tell me if my conclusion could be wrong.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
 
#4
If you get an on screen message such a "No Signal" when you get the 3 beeps and when trying the GPU and the integrated video chances are that the issue is memory related.

The following checks require the computer case to be opened so take the following safety precautions first, disconnect the power cord from the wall socket, press the computer power on button for around 20 seconds to get rid of any residual charge in the system, remove the side of the case, take anti static precautions before touching anything inside, you can do this by touching a bare metal part of the case or the PSU.

A quick check for you to do is remove both sticks of RAM from the MB and then power up the computer with the add on video card in place and connected to your screen, if the beeps are any different make a note of them, once done, repeat the process but this time, still with all of the RAM removed from the MB, remove the add on GPU, hook the screen up to the appropriate video port on the MB and power up, are the beeps any different or the same.

You are welcome btw :giggle:
 
#5
I get no image on screen at all from either built-in or add-on card when the beeps occur, the monitor just keeps switching back and forth between hdmi and analog while searching for a signal.

I did remove both sticks of ram and it just made a continuous beeping sound, wasn't a series or anything, just a continuous annoying sound. Same thing happened whether the addon video card was in or not.

Is there a place to order RAM from that will accept a return if the ram does not fix my problem? I just don't want to waste money on RAM if it ends up not being the culprit.. Thanks again for your help!
 
#6
The fact that the beep pattern changes when the RAM is removed would normally suggest that the problem is after the RAM has been tested as part of the power on self test (POST) this is supported by the fact that the beep pattern changes when the RAM is in the board, if the RAM was bad you would get the same error beeps as you get when there is no RAM in the board, the graphics device is what is checked after the RAM during post.

Got to go out for a couple of hrs but will check back later.

While I am away can you post the following;

The brand and model name or number of the PSU and any motherboard info you may have.

Are you using a USB type keyboard or the wired PS/2 type.

To do, pull the CMOS battery from the MB and leave it out for five minutes or so and then replace it, this will clear any bad MB settings in the BIOS.
 

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#7
PSU is a liteon PS-6451-5 450 watt. I've copied motherboard information from speccy below. If there's additional info you need, please let me know. I'll be working the rest of today and all night so I can respond back tomorrow morning.

Motherboard (IPIMB-AR rev.1.02)
Manufacturer Acer
Model Predator G3620 (SOCKET 0)
Chipset Vendor Intel
Chipset Model Ivy Bridge
Chipset Revision 09
Southbridge Vendor Intel
Southbridge Model P75/B75
Southbridge Revision 04
System Temperature 83 °F
BIOS
Brand American Megatrends Inc.
Version P01-A1
Date 03/12/2012
Voltage
CPU CORE 0.948 V
MEMORY CONTROLLER 2.016 V
+3.3V 2.004 V
+5V 3.427 V
-5V -8.928 V
+5V HIGH THRESHOLD 2.782 V
PCI Data
Slot PCI-E
Slot Type PCI-E
Slot Usage In Use
Data lanes x16
Slot Designation PCIEx16
Characteristics 3.3V, Shared, PME
Slot Number 0

Maybe a BIOS update is in order, since it hasn't been updated since 2012? Although it likely won't fix the problem at hand. I'll look and see if there's a new bios but I'll hold off on updating it for now. Thank you for your continued assistance, I appreciate it more than you know!
 
#8
phillpower2 said:
Are you using a USB type keyboard or the wired PS/2 type.
Click to expand...
Can you answer this for us, a keyboard error can also cause the POST to fail and with a three beep BIOS error code.

gmambrose said:
liteon PS-6451-5 450 watt.
Click to expand...
An old and weak PSU that even when new only produced 360W, is your add on GPU the 1 or 2GB version.

Download Speedfan and install it. Once it's installed, run the program and post here the information it shows. The information I want you to post is the stuff that is circled in the example picture I have attached.
If you are running on a vista machine, please go to where you installed the program and run the program as administrator.

speedfan.png

(this is a screenshot from a vista machine)

So that we have a comparison to Speedfan, download, run and grab a screenshot of HWMonitor (free

To capture and post a screenshot;

Click on the ALT key + PRT SCR key..its on the top row..right hand side..now click on start...all programs...accessories...paint....left click in the white area ...press CTRL + V...click on file...click on save...save it to your desktop...name it something related to the screen your capturing... BE SURE TO SAVE IT AS A .JPG ...otherwise it may be to big to upload... after typing in any response you have... click on Upload a File to add the screenshot.


Screenshot instructions are provided to assist those that may read this topic but are not yet aware of the “how to”.
 
#9
Sorry I missed answering the keyboard question. It is a wired USB keyboard. Screenshots you asked for are posted below. I can pick up a new more powerful PSU incase that may be causing part of the problem.
 

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#10
Your screenshots do not appear to have been taken and/or attached using the method that it was asked that they be done, pleased do as asked as not being able to properly see what we are looking at makes it more difficult when trying to help folk who are possibly on the other side of the world.

There does look to be a problem with the voltages but hold off on purchasing anything at the moment, I can see something else that needs to be checked.

Can you free up some space on the hard drive by removing any old programs, games, music etc, any important data should have been backed up already but if not do so asap.

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s.

To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.

In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.
 
#11
This morning when turning the computer on, I had to turn it off and on 4 times before I finally got it to not make the beep code. Finally on the 4th or 5th attempt, it booted up. I did not move ram around or anything. Whatever the problem is, it's intermittent, but happens almost everytime I try to turn the computer on.

You had asked about the addon gpu memory, it is 2GB.. I'm not sure what is wrong with the screenshots I took? I think I posted what you asked for.. what is it that is missing? I was for some reason unable to get speedfan to show voltages on the bottom as shown in the screenshot. But that's the only thing I can see that is missing.

I will get some harddrive space cleared today.

Here is the URL with the speccy info.

Speccy Info

Thank you for your continued help. I am trying to do as asked but I just can't figure out what is wrong with those screenshots I posted.
 
#12
Did you follow the exact steps to take and upload the screenshots that we asked for.

There are a few things of note in Speccy, we will go through them in the order that they are listed;

Power Profile
Active power scheme: High performance This is a form of overclocking that causes both overheating and instability even when there is a good quality PSU present, your PSU is old and not a good brand which will aggravate things.

Change the Windows Power Plan to Balanced.

Physical Memory You have high memory usage for a computer that is not under load, this most likely a combination of a flaky PSU and the low space on the C: drive.
Memory Usage: 82 %

Speccy is confirming the bad voltages that HWMonitor did and there is no reading for the +12V rail that powers among other things the CPU and GPU.

Voltage
CPU CORE: 1.176 V
MEMORY CONTROLLER: 2.016 V
+3.3V: 2.004 V
+5V: 3.407 V
-5V: -8.928 V
+5V HIGH THRESHOLD: 2.782 V

Restart the computer and access the BIOS, check the temperature and look for the +3.3. +5 and the +12V readings, make a note of them so that you can post them with your next reply.

Partition 2
Partition ID: Disk #1, Partition #2
Disk Letter: C:
File System: NTFS
Volume Serial Number: 9C8834F4
Size: 208 GB
Used Space: 203 GB (97%)
Free Space: 5.21 GB (3%)

For Windows to be able to run efficiently and to be able to update you need to have between 20 and 25% of the partition or drive available as free storage space at all times, if you don`t you risk Windows becoming corrupt or not being able to update which puts you at risk of malware attack.

Data only storage devices should not be allowed to get any lower than 10% of free storage space of the full capacity of the drive/partition on the drive.

Uninstall as many unused programs, games, videos and music files as you can and get yourself another means of backing up to, post back when you have between 20 and 25% free storage on the C: drive/partition and we can go from there.

With the present GPU that you have + the additional storage devices you should have a minimum of a quality brand 400/500W Bronze efficiency rated PSU.
 
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