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MSI H81M-E33 - 3 long beeps

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  • 22-03-2016 11:08pm
    #1
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭


    Hi folks,
    Just finished a new build and could not get into BIOS. Stripped it back to mobo, CPU and RAM and plugged the speaker into the mobo. When switched on the fans come on, including CPU, but no beeps. If I remove the RAM entirely, I get 3 long beeps, but if I replace the RAM in either slot/either stick I get no beeps. Specs are below for the three bits left assembled. What is my next step in troubleshooting? I don't have another mobo or CPU to hand unfortunately.

    Thanks in advance...(hopefully)...

    Intel Core i3 4160 2x 3.60GHz
    DDR3 8GB (2x 4096MB) Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR3-1600 DIMM CL9-9-9-24 Dual
    MSI H81M-E33


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  • Options
    #2
    jhud
    Registered Users Posts: 695 ✭✭✭jhud


    Have you tried it outside the case what's the PSU like new have you a second one you can try? Have you a graphic card?


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    #3
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    PSU is 450 Watt Corsair VS Series 1 Non-Modular.

    Have graphics card, ASUS GTX 750 but have unplugged it from mobo.

    Will lift the whole lot from the case and check again - is this likely to be a problem tho?


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    #4
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    OK so now have basic out-of-the-case breadboard: mobo, CPU, RAM. Still same behaviour as above, 3 long beeps with no RAM, no beeps at all with any combination of my 2 sticks of RAM across the two slots. Wish I had done this first before shoving everything in the damn case. 20/20 hindsight.


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    #5
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    Tried stick of RAM from older (functioning) PC in breadboard setup, no change.


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    #6
    Digital Solitude
    Registered Users Posts: 11,397 ✭✭✭✭Digital Solitude


    What does the manual say about the three long beeps?


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    #7
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    Digital Solitude wrote: »
    What does the manual say about the three long beeps?
    Manual itself due not mention beeps. Best I can find is listed on the msi website forums:
    "3 beeps - Base 64K memory failure - bad memory"


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    #8
    Xenoronin
    Registered Users Posts: 1,307 ✭✭✭Xenoronin


    Reseat that CPU. Sounds like it's able to detect the memory at the very least. Also double check the power connectors. Are both the 4pin and the 24pin power connected to the motherboard?


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    #9
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    Xenoronin wrote: »
    Reseat that CPU. Sounds like it's able to detect the memory at the very least. Also double check the power connectors. Are both the 4pin and the 24pin power connected to the motherboard?

    Thanks, sorry, should have said, tried reseating cpu, checked for damage and so on. Removed and reseated power cables (both, as above).


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    #10
    Kimbot
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 18,539 Mod ✭✭✭✭Kimbot


    Are all the fans continuosly spinning or do they shut off, is it that you are just not getting any signal on the Monitor?


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    #11
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    So two distinct behaviours here, no output to monitor in either case:
    Case 1 RAM in place - on powerup, fans come on etc., no beeps, fan stays on until power is shut off. No change over maybe 4-5 minutes.
    Case 2 RAM taken out - on powerup fan comes on, beep-beep-beep, few seconds later everything turns off BUT if I keep the power on after a few more seconds the fan comes back on and I get the three beeps again, then shuts down and so on.

    Cheers


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  • Options
    #12
    m5ex9oqjawdg2i
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,221 ✭✭✭✭m5ex9oqjawdg2i


    3 long beeps is bad ram or ram slot. Send the ram and mobo back to supplier. It sucks, but better than having a non working pc. Where did you buy the hardware?


  • Options
    #13
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    Cheers folks. I only get the 3 beeps with no RAM installed, so would this still indicate a RAM/slot problem?

    I bought these bits from mindfactory - not sure what they are like for returns?


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    #14
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Ignore the beeps, its telling you what you already know, no ram is inserted.

    Whats diagnostically significant is that it doesnt post when the RAM is in. So it could be the CPU, or the board, or the RAM.


  • Options
    #15
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    That's what I was thinking alright, as it is set up now only those 3 components are in there (bar the PSU which seems to be OK). So how do I go about narrowing down which is causing the problem? My other PC is AMD-based so I don't have a suitable motherboard or CPU to swap out.

    CPU: Does the presence of beeps indicate that the CPU is at least doing something?
    RAM: I will stick the RAM into the other box this evening and see if it works, though I've already done it the other way around without progress
    Mobo: without another CPU is there any way to troubleshoot this? Or do I just return it, hope they refund it and buy another one?


  • Options
    #16
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Its hard to tell with no diagnostic beep or seven segment display.



    Waiiiiit, hold on a sec. Seems like your CPU may be only compatible after bios version ..65 and it started with 60. This may be a case of requiring an old CPU to bring the board up to a compatible microcode.
    Core i7	Haswell	i7-4771	100	3.5	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i7	Haswell	i7-4770T	100	2.5	1M	6M	C0	45	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i7	Haswell	i7-4770S	100	3.1	1M	6M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i7	Haswell	i7-4770K	100	3.5	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1250MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i7	Haswell	i7-4770	100	3.4	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i7	Haswell	i7-4765T	100	2.0	1M	8M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4670T	100	2.3	1M	6M	C0	45	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4670S	100	3.1	1M	6M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4670K	100	3.4	1M	6M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4670	100	3.4	1M	6M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4570T	100	2.9	512K	4M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4570S	100	2.9	1M	6M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4570	100	3.2	1M	6M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4440S	100	2.8	1M	6M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4440	100	3.1	1M	6M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4430S	100	2.7	1M	6M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i5	Haswell	i5-4430	100	3.0	1M	6M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i3	Haswell	i3-4340	100	3.6	512K	4M	C0	54	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i3	Haswell	i3-4330T	100	3.0	512K	4M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i3	Haswell	i3-4330	100	3.5	512K	4M	C0	54	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i3	Haswell	i3-4130T	100	2.9	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4400 1150MHz	7817v60.zip
Core i3	Haswell	i3-4130	100	3.4	512K	3M	C0	54	HD Graphics 4400 1150MHz	7817v60.zip
Pentium	Haswell	G3430	100	3.3	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Pentium	Haswell	G3420T	100	2.7	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Pentium	Haswell	G3420	100	3.2	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Pentium	Haswell	G3220T	100	2.6	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Pentium	Haswell	G3220	100	3.0	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1285 v3	100	3.6	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics P4700 1300MHz	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1280 v3	100	3.6	1M	8M	C0	82	N/A	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1275 v3	100	3.5	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics P4600 1250MHz	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1265L v3	100	2.5	1M	8M	C0	45	HD Graphics 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1245 v3	100	3.4	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics P4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1230L v3	100	1.8	1M	8M	C0	25	N/A	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1230 v3	100	3.3	1M	8M	C0	80	N/A	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1225 v3	100	3.2	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics P4600 1200MHz	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1220L v3	100	1.1	512K	4M	C0	13	N/A	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1220 v3	100	3.1	1M	8M	C0	80	N/A	7817v60.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1285L v3	100	3.1	1M	8M	C0	65	HD Graphics P4700 1250MHz	7817v63.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1275L v3	100	2.7	1M	8M	C0	45	HD Graphics 1200MHz	7817v63.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1270 v3	100	3.5	1M	8M	C0	80	N/A	7817v63.zip
Xeon	Haswell	E3-1240 v3	100	3.4	1M	8M	C0	80	N/A	7817v63.zip
Core i7	Haswell Refresh	i7-4790T	100	2.7	1M	8M	C0	45	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i7	Haswell Refresh	i7-4790S	100	3.2	1M	8M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i7	Haswell Refresh	i7-4790	100	3.6	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i7	Haswell Refresh	i7-4785T	100	2.2	1M	8M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4690T	100	2.5	1M	6M	C0	45	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4690S	100	3.2	1M	6M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4690	100	3.5	1M	6M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4590T	100	2.0	1M	6M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4590S	100	3.0	1M	6M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4590	100	3.3	1M	6M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4460T	100	1.9	1M	6M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1100MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4460S	100	2.9	1M	6M	C0	65	HD Graphics 4600 1100MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4460	100	3.2	1M	6M	C0	84	HD Graphics 4600 1100MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4360	100	3.7	512K	4M	C0	54	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4350T	100	3.1	512K	4M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4350	100	3.6	512K	4M	C0	24	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4150T	100	3.0	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4400 1150MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4150	100	3.5	512K	3M	C0	54	HD Graphics 4400 1150MHz	7817v64.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3450	100	3.4	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v64.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3440T	100	2.8	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v64.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3440	100	3.3	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v64.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3240T	100	2.7	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v64.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3240	100	3.1	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v64.zip
Celeron	Haswell Refresh	G1850	100	2.9	512K	2M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1050MHz	7817v64.zip
Celeron	Haswell Refresh	G1840T	100	2.5	512K	2M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1050MHz	7817v64.zip
Celeron	Haswell Refresh	G1840	100	2.8	512K	2M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1050MHz	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1286L v3	100	3.2	1M	8M	C0	65	HD Graphics P4700 1250MHz	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1286 v3	100	3.7	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics P4700 1300MHz	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1281 v3	100	3.7	1M	8M	C0	82	N/A	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1276 v3	100	3.6	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics P4600 1250MHz	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1271 v3	100	3.6	1M	8M	C0	80	N/A	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1246 v3	100	3.5	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics P4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1241 v3	100	3.5	1M	8M	C0	80	N/A	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1240L v3	100	2.0	1M	8M	C0	25	N/A	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1231 v3	100	3.4	1M	8M	C0	80	N/A	7817v64.zip
Xeon	Haswell Refresh	E3-1226 v3	100	3.3	1M	8M	C0	84	HD Graphics P4600 1200MHz	7817v64.zip
Core i7	Haswell Refresh	i7-4790K	100	4.0	1M	8M	C0	88	HD Graphics 4600 1250MHz	7817v65.zip
Core i5	Haswell Refresh	i5-4690K	100	3.5	1M	6M	C0	88	HD Graphics 4600 1200MHz	7817v65.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4370T	100	3.3	512K	4M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v65.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4370	100	3.8	512K	4M	C0	54	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v65.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4360T	100	3.2	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4600 1150MHz	7817v65.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4170T	100	3.2	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4400 1150MHz	7817v65.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4170	100	3.7	512K	3M	C0	54	HD Graphics 4400 1150MHz	7817v65.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4160T	100	3.1	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 4400 1150MHz	7817v65.zip
Core i3	Haswell Refresh	i3-4160	100	3.6	512K	3M	C0	54	HD Graphics 4400 1150MHz	7817v65.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3460	100	3.5	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v65.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3450T	100	2.9	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v65.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3258	100	3.2	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v65.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3250T	100	2.8	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v65.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3250	100	3.2	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v65.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3470	100	3.6	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v67.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3460T	100	3.0	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v67.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3260T	100	2.9	512K	3M	C0	35	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v67.zip
Pentium	Haswell Refresh	G3260	100	3.3	512K	3M	C0	53	HD Graphics 1100MHz	7817v67.zip


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    #17
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    Thanks Ed....man that is a balls if that's the case. I checked the compatibility between CPU and board before buying but didn't go down to the fecking BIOS version level. I need to physically look at the BIOS chip to confirm this for sure.

    If this was the issue, is there any way I can update the BIOS version without the mobo being part of a functioning PC?

    Also if this is the case will the total lack of POST I am seeing be a symptom?

    I am weighing up how much of a pain in the hole this might be versus just getting a new board. What are the chances of mindfactory giving me a refund?


  • Options
    #18
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    Its not exactly an outlier, kinda common with Haswell Refresh so I suspect they'll tell you to stuff it.

    Some smart motherboards can flash themselves without a CPU or RAM, just a PSU and USB key. Yours is not one of them.

    Remember, if you buy a different board for the same CPU, it may also need an update as its a refresh CPU so be very very careful checking the QVL lists.


  • Options
    #19
    Xenoronin
    Registered Users Posts: 1,307 ✭✭✭Xenoronin


    You should be able to pick up a super cheap pentium or celeron from the list and keep it as a backup after flashing the bios. It may come in handy.


  • Options
    #20
    Cuddlesworth
    Registered Users Posts: 13,986 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    try contact MSI first. They might just send you out a updated Bios chip for a minimal fee. I know Gigabyte does.


  • Options
    #21
    fmcco
    Registered Users Posts: 39 ✭fmcco


    So looked for BIOS version...as far as I could make out it was 6 revs ahead of what I needed at a min and the board was built only about 8 months ago.
    A buddy came over to help this evening so we strippped the whole thing down and started again to cardboard level. As before all powered up OK, but no video. Plugs in, plugs out, RAM swaps, etc. Eventually as last resort we used hooked up a VGA cable rather than the HDMI and got something on screen. There was a "SHELL>" prompt and a message giving the EFI version and saying it cannot find the map name, which I'm hoping is happening as there are no drives attached. It boots to this every time rather than BIOS. Typing EXIT gets me into BIOS setup and I can manage from there.

    Checked HDMI cable & monitor on the laptop and works fine, just mobo onboard HDMI does not seem to work. Hoping it will be overcome once I have GPU etc. sorted out. Did not continue rebuilding further as I want to replace the thermal paste on the CPU after reseating it.

    Thanks for your help on this folks, I learnt an awful lot about BIOS and will choose my next mobo/CPU combination with a bit more care...


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    #22
    ED E
    Registered Users Posts: 36,167 ✭✭✭✭ED E


    That HDMI out may by one of the purposes of the bios update, but once you've got an in you've got an in. Glad you got it sorted.


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