What is a Post Card and can it ID memory problems

So long story short. I am building a new system, the barebones of which, and those that comprise my entire rig at the moment are:

MSI PM8PM-V SKT775 AGP 6channel audio DDR2 mATX
Intel Celeron D 352 (3.20GHz) Socket 775 FSB533 512kb Processor
Crucial 1GB DDR2 533MHz / PC2- 4200 Unbuffered Non ECC

Now I get a long loud beep that repeats again and again that is a code I do not recognise for Phoenix Award BIOS and the basis of a question I have asked elsewhere. However, as I have not been able to work out what this beep means, and as I cannot explain why the onboard graphics dont work I am wondering if it is a mobo problem. I cannot think of a way to sort this problem out and I am wondering if a Post Card will give me a specific and diagnostic problem code. I am wondering because I have very little idea what a Post Card does and whether it is worth investing in one to try and tackle my problems. Any ideas appreciated.

 

MSI's website says that 1 long, 2 short is a video problem and any other beeps is a RAM issue. Those are the only beep codes that exist for Award BIOSes. Other error codes will get displayed to the screen.

I would try reseating the RAM and if you have multiple sticks, take one out at a time and try again. Also try moving them around.

 

Thanks for this. I read this too. Problem is Award seems to get altered and the same code can mean psu, mobo and cpu problems. What I need is to be sure what is wrong before I act. I have done everything you can think of to reseat the memory but to no avail. I can only think the post card might give me a more accurate description of the problem but I dont really know much about them hence the question.

 

Link to most beep codes at: http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml Bazza

 

The tables with my post card say( for Award/Phoenix)

repeated long beep =

memory bank not plugged in well or broken.

If this is true a post card will not help you further.

Check your memory somehow.

Studio T

 

My logic is even if it is not a memory problem it should up on the post card from what I understand of them. Otherwise I agree memory is the most likely thing, but I dont wanna shell out on another few gig of memory on the off chance it might work.

 

If it will beep at all your processor is running and the motherboard is not too bad either.

The one long beep often occurred if you had the wrong componenet fitted but I have checked there is a 3.2 G 512 Celeron D and it is comaptible with your mobo.
The mobo should be ok with only one memory module. hve you tried it in both slots? The 1G module mentions should be compatible.

If you remove the graphics card does the beep pattern change?
i.e. is it now telling you it has no video?

The only thing left after that really is duff components somewhere. I'm still betting on the memory.

Studio T

 

Tried the memory in both slots. Crucial cite the memory as fine for the mobo as you say. I have not installed the gfx card yet, I am trying to get the onboard graphics to kick in in the interim, but they just wont show a picture which is strange, not that I normally use onboard graphics so who knows.

Basically thats why I am stumped every componant is right for the system, all fitted correctly so one bit must be duff, but in order to return this one bit I need to diagnose what it is and I can only think to do this using a post card. Costs me a fair bit of money if I return a non duff componant as I get charged a high flat rate return fee for stuff that is not broken.

My money is also on the memory but I need to really be able to prove it. I was wondering if I can use a post card to check the MB itself, then MB/cpu then MB/Cpu/Memory.

 

Post card display codes generated to denote the stage reached in the startup process as dictated by the routines in the bios. The readout goes (very quickly) 01, 02, 03, 04....etc. Wherever the display stops is the routine number that has failed for some reason Looking up the routine tells you what the the sytem was trying to do when it failed.

That is the theory, however the Award/Phoenic sequence is

01...........Processor test1
02...........Processor test2
03...........Processor initialisation
04...........RAM refresh test.

This is where I think you post is halting and beeping. i.e. it is barely starting.
This is also why I think you will learn nothing you do not already know from a post card.


Video and other stuff comes much later on.

Studio T

 

Dang. I'm pretty stuffed then. the problem is that the beep is not, according to anything I have read, diagnostic of any one particular thing but rather it is a general warning for, for example, maybe RAM maybe cpu. I suppose I could buy a new set of memory as i agree this is most likely the cause, but I just think it is throwing good money after bad unless I can find out for sure, and the beep is not solely diagnostic of just RAM problems. If a post card wont do that then what else can I try? I dont really see I have any other option.

 

Before you outlay $$$$, maybe contact the manufacturers of each component and see if they can throw any light on which component /s might be the cause of the trouble. Bazza

 

I expect your local friendly pc shop (you have them in Mordor?) will test the memory for you for less than the cost of either more memory or a post card. See if you can negotiate a rebate on new memory if found faulty.

Studio T

 

Hmm now I think we have a PC shop in Hobbiton-Across-the Water... I will swing by and see if they can test it for me. Thanks guys, will let you know how it pans out.

 

In the end I just brought a new stick of memory and bingo, sorta.

 

Well there's a thing.