New computer with old parts won't boot

Arclight · 12-05-11, 09:56 PM

Their site makes no mention of a limit on capacity.

Well, they mention 32GB max, but since DDR3 can't do modules bigger than 8GB it's a non-issue.

That said, it's perfectly possible that specific kit or brand is simply incompatible with that board.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

That looks to me like the board should support all your RAM but why wouldn't they test it for the maximum? Did they not have a 64-bit copy of Windows on hand? That just seems odd.

8GB modules haven't been around that long. Either they didn't have any to test with or they simply didn't exist at the time.

frau kaleun · 12-05-11, 10:30 PM

Ah, hadn't even considered it from that angle.

There's a QVL for memory at that site too:

http://download.ecs.com.tw/dlfileecs..._MemoryQVL.pdf

There's some G Skill on there but the only 4 gig modules listed are by Kingston, Samsung, and Kingmax... but AFAIK that doesn't preclude the possibility of something else working, just means it wasn't specifically tested. Which doesn't really help much I guess.

geetrue · 12-06-11, 04:08 PM

I live in a very rural place so I will have a stick of 4gb air dropped in by Fed Ex just to see if that is the problem.

Thanks for looking that up

So what your saying that if everything else is okay it won't even try to turn on unless it has the correct ram?

frau kaleun · 12-06-11, 04:15 PM

I don't think a computer will boot up without RAM installed... well I don't think it would boot the OS anyway. If the RAM that's in there isn't recognized or usable by the motherboard, I expect it would be the same as having none there at all. But I don't know for sure. It seems like when I was testing my current mobo I had the fans and PSU hooked up at one point and was able to turn things on just to make sure that stuff was all good. But that was before I had an OS installed or a drive hooked up, I think. It was purely to test the power connections.

AVGWarhawk · 12-06-11, 04:21 PM

The OS draws off the RAM to operate.

frau kaleun · 12-06-11, 04:27 PM

That's what I'm thinking, if it's trying to boot an OS from a drive then it's gonna require RAM that works and if what's there isn't compatible with the mobo then it's like having none at all.

But wouldn't you still get some indication that the power was at least switched on to the machine? I mean, the powered up light on the board, fans coming on, something?

kiwi_2005 · 12-06-11, 05:20 PM

moving the ram around in different slots sometimes helps. I got an old pc going but before it started working right the same thing happened no lights, or beep sounds, nothing I pulled out the ram and just swapped them a few times before it booted up, was able to start on windows install. They were 1g ram chips, pc had 3 slots 2 of the ram were different brands. So probably wasn't a good idea from the start but it worked.

longam · 12-06-11, 05:36 PM

Are both the power connectors hooked up, I always start with the basics.

From the manual, page 6 (page 5 picture)
Label 4. ATX_POWER Standard 24-pin ATX power connector
Label 25. ATX12V 8-pin +12V power connector

Confirm the front panel switch is connected and correct.
Label10. F_PANEL Front panel switch/LED header

If different connection from previous MB you might have to use an OHM meter to find the NO (normally open) set of contact on the power switch and test for closure on the pin out while depressed.

12-06-11, 04:08 PM	#3
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I live in a very rural place so I will have a stick of 4gb air dropped in by Fed Ex just to see if that is the problem. Thanks for looking that up So what your saying that if everything else is okay it won't even try to turn on unless it has the correct ram? __________________

12-06-11, 04:21 PM	#5
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,303 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	The OS draws off the RAM to operate. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

12-06-11, 05:20 PM	#7
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	moving the ram around in different slots sometimes helps. I got an old pc going but before it started working right the same thing happened no lights, or beep sounds, nothing I pulled out the ram and just swapped them a few times before it booted up, was able to start on windows install. They were 1g ram chips, pc had 3 slots 2 of the ram were different brands. So probably wasn't a good idea from the start but it worked. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

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12-05-11, 10:30 PM	#2
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Ah, hadn't even considered it from that angle. There's a QVL for memory at that site too: http://download.ecs.com.tw/dlfileecs..._MemoryQVL.pdf There's some G Skill on there but the only 4 gig modules listed are by Kingston, Samsung, and Kingmax... but AFAIK that doesn't preclude the possibility of something else working, just means it wasn't specifically tested. Which doesn't really help much I guess.

12-06-11, 04:15 PM	#4
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	I don't think a computer will boot up without RAM installed... well I don't think it would boot the OS anyway. If the RAM that's in there isn't recognized or usable by the motherboard, I expect it would be the same as having none there at all. But I don't know for sure. It seems like when I was testing my current mobo I had the fans and PSU hooked up at one point and was able to turn things on just to make sure that stuff was all good. But that was before I had an OS installed or a drive hooked up, I think. It was purely to test the power connections.

12-06-11, 04:27 PM	#6
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	That's what I'm thinking, if it's trying to boot an OS from a drive then it's gonna require RAM that works and if what's there isn't compatible with the mobo then it's like having none at all. But wouldn't you still get some indication that the power was at least switched on to the machine? I mean, the powered up light on the board, fans coming on, something?

12-06-11, 05:36 PM	#8
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Are both the power connectors hooked up, I always start with the basics. From the manual, page 6 (page 5 picture) Label 4. ATX_POWER Standard 24-pin ATX power connector Label 25. ATX12V 8-pin +12V power connector Confirm the front panel switch is connected and correct. Label10. F_PANEL Front panel switch/LED header If different connection from previous MB you might have to use an OHM meter to find the NO (normally open) set of contact on the power switch and test for closure on the pin out while depressed.