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Resolved Question

No POST... bad CPU?

by Sep 1, 2011 3:26PM PDT

Started thread on another site, but got no straight answers.

Intel i5 660
Intel DP55WB Mobo
Thermaltake CPU Cooler (Using the stock Intel right now for testing purposes)
G.Skill Ripjaws 8GB DDR3 1333, PC3 10666, CAS Latency 7, 7-7-7-21, 1.5V
Asus GT440 Video Card
WD Caviar Blue 1 TB
Samsung Disc Drive
OCZ ModXStream 700W PSU

Developments from the last thread are that I RMA'd the RAM, Mobo, and PSU, because I thought it'd have to be one of those.

Still getting the same problem (YES I did breadboard it first). This is
NOT my first build. All the connections have been thoroughly checked,
all components properly seated.

Problem:
Hooked all up on a bench. When the PSU is switched on the system
instantly powers up (fans, drives) but no POST codes (exception below).
Removed ALL but CPU and CPU Fan. Disconnected everything from mobo as
well. When PSU switched on system powers up, gives three long beeps
(RAM/Memory error).
Added one stick of RAM next, didn't get any POST codes. Tried in all 4
RAM slots, still no POST. (also tried with 2 different sticks). Removed
RAM, reset CMOS. Still same.

Diagnosis?
I think that the CPU may be bad. Although I shouldn't get a POST code
(without RAM) if the CPU is bad, should I? At this point I've tried 2
video cards, 2 motherboards, 4 sticks of RAM, and 2 CPU fans...
Also, somewhere else it was mentioned that it could be an incompatible RAM timing?

Discussion is locked

Jessiah331 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
8 Posts
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Best Answer

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Looking at the Intel site.
by Forum moderator Sep 2, 2011 6:33AM PDT
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Interesting...
by Jessiah331 Sep 2, 2011 6:54PM PDT

So you're thinking that my BIOS revision is below the minimum required? Having trouble making sense of the numbers. Not that it helps too terribly much, if I can't POST I can't check revisions or update can I?

Thanks for the link too (and Bob B above!)

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Catch 22.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 3, 2011 2:59AM PDT

A few years ago we had to pop in another CPU to see what BIOS it was and update that to support the newer CPU.

Fortunately for us we had the CPU in the shop stores and could rectify the issue. For those that don't have access to such you RMA the board and demand it has the support and revision to support your CPU.
Bob

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Answer
What you're getting
by Sep 1, 2011 10:58PM PDT

What you're getting is a pre-POST error code with the RAM. I'm a bit dubious on the RAM timing idea, but I suppose you can always check it against your motherboard's manual to make sure it seems within spec. Other than that, I would say you've pretty well done everything else I would have suggested for troubleshooting, and left little else it could be than the CPU.

I will also assume that before buying you were sure that this particular CPU and motherboard combo would work.

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Sure does.
by Jessiah331 Sep 2, 2011 4:02AM PDT

I'm using the same CPU, mobo, PSU, case, HDD, and VGA card in my personal build. The only difference is the RAM.

The DP55 series were built around i5/i7 platforms.

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Answer
Thought
by Sep 2, 2011 12:44AM PDT

Be aware that on some machines successful completion of POST is silence.
I find that kind of annoying as I much prefer a nice single beep to tell me something has happened.

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Thought
by Jessiah331 Sep 2, 2011 4:03AM PDT

I'm using the same CPU, mobo, PSU, case, HDD, and VGA card in my personal build. The only difference is the RAM.

My system (with same mobo) gives a single, short beep for a 'successful' POST.

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Thought #2
by Bob__B Sep 2, 2011 6:20AM PDT
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