New RAM, no boot

[xevix]

My system had a 256 stick of DDR-400, but I needed more power so I bought an identical brand, identical model 256 stick. I put it in alongside the other one, and the computer gives me the following POST code (which is not described in ANY POST guide): beep, long pause, beep, long pause, beep, long pause etc.

I removed the new ram and left the old, but now it does the same thing with just the old ram. I repositioned both rams in every possible configuration with no success. I have made sure that all of my other cables were secure and not somewhat unplugged during my instertions of the ram. I have cleared the cmos. I have even tried removing all the ram, but I ended up with the same thing in all cases.

I am left to two possible conclusions: I'm not putting the ram in correctly (highly unlikely due to my first trial with my already-placed and previously-working ram), or that somehow my ram bay is dead and can no longer detect the ram.

Any help is appreciated, please.

[flazz]

I'm not putting the ram in correctly (highly unlikely due to my first trial with my already-placed and previously-working ram),

you have to apply relatively hard pressure, in my opinion too much. it could not be in all the way. are the tabs on the side of the slots locked in?

or that somehow my ram bay is dead and can no longer detect the ram.

you could have pressed too hard and damaged the mobo.

i suspect the former because your old ram was not working when you replaced it. you might want to get the ram tested, or try the ram in another mobo. or conversely try other ram in this board.

[xevix]

The white thingies on the sides were locked, and I did push hard, very hard, I've put in ram before and haven't had this issue, which is why it's so strange. As for the ram, trying other ram, I'll see if I can dig any up and I'll get back to you. In the meantime, more suggestions are welcome, such as..... how to test if there's been damage to the motherboard that's causing this.

[ctford0]

I use to have a motherboard that no matter how careful I was when I put in new memory it would knock the video card out of the agp slot. Each time I mess with the ram I would then have to go back and reseat the video card too. Could something similar be happening to you?

chris

[petrjanda]

I believe you didn't ground your self, did you? If an ESD occured, then you could have easily fried an IC on your motherboard or RAM.

[ronmon]

To learn your beep codes, Google for "<BIOS_brand> bios beep codes", replacing <BIOS_brand> with award, phoenix, ami or whatever applies to your situation. You'll get plenty of hits and finding a list is pretty easy.

Scroll down a bit on this page and you will see a fairly standard list, but some vary a bit. Yours looks like a memory problem and I suspect, like others, that your RAM is not properly seated. You did unplug the power supply while you did the switch, right?

[xevix]

CTFord0 I think you may be right, I did not try to reseat the video card, and according to bios beep manuals, this is either the ram or the video card having this problem. When I get home, I'll try out your method.

[xevix]

Tried the graphics card thing but no go, beep, beep, beep.... hmmm. Maybe there's something else I'm missing; I'll have a friend who's good with this stuff come over tonight and see what he can do. Thanks for the replies everyone!