CPU gone bad or DRAM chip?

[rhwimmers]

Ive got a gigabyte GA-K8NF-9 skt 939 mobo with a 3200+ retail AMD64bit proc, leadtech 6600gt PCI-e 1gb ram antec case/psu (350w). I built the system a few months ago and recently it locked up, after rebooting all i get is solid long beeps - which seem to point to bad DRAM chips (according to the doc from gigabyte). I took everything out except the proc/cpu and got the same thing, took the cpu out and then it went away - not sure if it ever does anything without a cpu though does it? the fans start on the mobo, but no beeps...
would putting the proc in another skt 939 mobo tell me if the proc is bad - is their any risk to doing this to the other mobo? or would it be better to put another proc in my board to see if the board is bad.
anyone know how to get a RMA for AMD, how do they work- how fast are they etc.. gigabyte does VERY well with their whole RMA process - I was a happy camper when I had a board go out on me in the past...
TIA
Ross

 

[Andres3605]

you need cpu+ram+video to boot , try one stick at the time

 

[Googer]

I am familiar with that beep code, usualy it means bad memory. Older IBM XT computers I believe it meant a bad keyboard or motherboard.

 

[LxMxFxD3]

If its the processor, man that is rare as hell. The last CPU that went bad on me was like 1999, maybe 200 when I had an over clocked celeron 566mhz up to I think 879 or something like that.

Came back from class and the whole mobo & cpu were dead. Not sure which caused which honestly.

 

[rhwimmers]

Typically bad memory (or wrong type/size etc) is long, short, short short - - long, short, short , short.
I agree it would be rare - but it is possible, it was not OCd at all
So if I have no CPU and put the ram in and get no beep codes, do you think the RAM is good - or does the CPU at least have to be there for it to do anything - Guess im not sure if a bios needs a processor or not? whats driving it if it doesnt?
I just built a friend a new 3500+ setup - I can try his chip in mine or mine in his - is either one a safer thing to do, I would hate to kill his brand new setup!

 

[Bozo Galora]

Dead CPU shouldnt hurt good mobo
Modern CPU's have safety features to protect from heat and voltage abuse, so bad CPU is a longshot.
However, this makes for an interesting situation
Will memtest 86+ run (from self booting floppy - bios set to run 1st from A) on a possibly dead CPU with mem controller on die, not chipset??
I would guess that memtest running tests but bad results means bad ram, but not running would mean bad CPU (or mobo)

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Mother board can do nothing without CPU. Test is CPU, MEM, VIDEO and Power Supply. Jim

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Have you run Memtest yet?

 

[rhwimmers]

no, how do I do that? is there a dos based memtest, or you mean put the memory in a working computer? it wont boot

 

[Bozo Galora]

http://www.memtest.org/

this is freeware that is dos based, download that then extracts to a floppy.
You then put the floppy in bad PC, boot to bios, reset first boot to A drive, then boot
Of course this assumes you can get to bios

you really should try the cpu in another system
and scrounge up an old single stick of cheap 256 or 128 mb ram, doesnt even have to be pc3200 and try it.

another thing you can do is (with PC off) take out round cmos battery from mobo
turn rocker switch in back of psu to "0" or off
Unplug PSU from wall.
Wait 12 hrs.
Put batery back in
Replug PSU into wall
Turn rocker to "!" On
Immediately go into bios and set to failsafe defaults.

 

[rhwimmers]

Yeah, cant even get to BIOS - with everything out except cpu/hsf it still gives me the long continuous beeps. I am now using the antec case for my pc im on so I know the PSU is good. (ordering an ahanix D5 case for the HTPC) - after I get it running that is!
Tried the cmos battery thing, but not for 12 hours, will try that tonight - just leave CPU and hsf on the board right, or do I even need the hsf (it wouldnt get too hot in just a couple minutes of bios - if I even get that far would it?
Apparently the case was knocked over from verticle position to horizontal while it was running (dogs) - on soft carpet, but thats when it started I find out!....

 

[Bozo Galora]

Well, that would tend to suggest crashed HDD, but one should be able to get into bios with dead HDD
Or dislodged PCI card or cable
Perhaps cracked cpu from HSF weight during case flop
Check for heatspreader tilt or bend

Edit - yes CPU will get REAL hot in seconds

 

[0roo0roo]

test the processor in another m/b. i think either the m/b or processor is dead.