Motherboard/ram Error

Hi,
A friend asked me to help fix an issue on his custom built PC.
On startup all he gets is continuous short beeps, I looked on the Gygabytes website which suggested the error means no RAM installed (Obviously we tried removing and refitting in both slots). I had a stick of same RAM but only 1gb not the 4gb he has, and when I fitted it, the PC booted normally albeit running very slow.
Thinking the problem was identified we bought a new 4gb stick of memory and this morning I fitted it but the original continuous beeps has returned.
I realise we could be unlucky and have bought a faulty piece of memory but is there anything else I should be checking?
One last thing is the original memory is Kingston and we bought Corsair.

Any help much appreciated

 

DDR3 1600mhz, what more compatibility do I need?

 

Wasn't intended to sound like attitude and I apologise if that's how it read. My point was what else do I need to check for compatibility?
Does the crucial scan tell me which makes are compatible?

 

Which Gigabyte board do you have, and what speeds are the 4GB parts that are not working? (The speed is the DDR3-something number.)

You might get unlucky and get one bad piece of memory, but if you've managed to buy two bad ones in a row, I strongly suggest you drop everything and run off to buy a lottery ticket. Your chances of winning the jackpot is greater than the odds of two bad memory sticks in a row.

Oh, one more thing: Put the 1GB back in and boot to BIOS. Which version/revision of BIOS do you have on the board?

Where I'm going with this is, you may need a BIOS update before the motherboard can use the 4GB memory, but please post the info I asked about anyway. It's easier to help you if we know what we're dealing with.

 

Sticky: Please tell us about your computer

 

The existing memory is Kingston KVR16N11s8/4 which according to Google is DDR3, 1600mhz, 4GB, strangely though, the MB specification says it takes upto 1333mhz. I have tried fitting some DDR3 1333mhz memory but I still get the beeps.
The MB is GA-h61m-s2pv (Rev 2.2) BIOS version FB

 

Originally I bought this:
Corsair

• Voltage: 1.5V
• Latency Timing: CL11
• Speed: 1600MHz (PC3-12800)
• 1 x 4GB DIMM Memory
• non-ECC Unbuffered Memory

 

Lots, pretty much continuous

 

Count them and take your pick from here.
https://www.gigabyte.com/Support/FAQ/816

 

More like 35 beeps, stops for 10 seconds then 35 beeps.....and repeat

 

Just tried a new power supply, same error

 

The motherboard is a few years old, the PSU probably is as well. 4GB sticks need more power than 1GB sticks, two 4GB sticks need twice that. My guess: Your power supply no longer has enough juice to supply more than the single 1GB with enough power to go all the way through POST and start the computer.

If you want to prove me wrong, try sticking the 1GB back in, boot to BIOS and manually set your memory voltage to 1.5V, then put the Corsair memory back in. If I'm right it won't make a difference, but if I'm wrong, you may get your upgrade.

 

But I've tried a new power supply

 

Gygabyte support suggested I remove the cmos battery to reset it. I did this and now the bios has reset but it wont let me set the date, I can change the month but not the day, year or time.
I'm thinking the MB is knackered?

 

Considering the non-stop beeps, I agree.

 

So, if it's the board. It's a socket LGA1155 which I can't seem to find, is there a way to find a board that would be compatible with the CPU and memory we have? and will the Windows 10 still work with a new board?
Thanks

 

You only removed and replaced cmos battery - Have you tried replacing with a new cmos battery??- Date and time are usually low voltage cmos battery problem - It is a Cheaper test than a new motherboard-......

 

You may have to use the Microsoft help line if the motherboard is changed.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...ading-to/a26e93c4-6886-4b44-99cf-7bf49ccba6ee

 

I'm basing the conclusion on everything else in this thread and not just the cmos battery. Given that the power is connected would the cmos battery cause the date and time to be unchangeable?

 

You are right to base your conclusions on the advice already given- It may well be the motherboard,but a cmos battery is so cheap...........Just trying to give that last little bit to try, before spending more

 

You're right of course, I'll get one today

 

Also,recheck the ram--From Gigabyte link-----Memory not correctly installed Continuous short beep - I know you did it, but as thee single 1gb stick does work- check the voltage on that stick, and see if there is a difference to the original, and the Corsair ram. Just worth a look.

 

Added a new cmos battery, booted using the 1gb stick and changed the date. All 4 memory sticks used are 15v and all but the 1gb cause the same error beeps

 

At this point, its's safe to say you need to replace that motherboard. Sorry.

 

Looks like motherboard, as Mimsy says or, a new record of 3 faulty ram sticks -
However,it is strange for the smaller ram to work - Have you tried that single stick in the other slot ? (Just a test...)
Have you a spare power supply (psu)- If the power supply is not pumping enough (I believe the ram uses the 3.3v rail) then ,again, worth looking at.
If you have to replace the motherboard, although it might be very slow- try making an image of the present system