hardware issue
 

my son is trying to build a new pc using a gigabyte mobo GA-H81M-DS2V (rev. 1.0) LGA 1150 Intel H81 2...

he mounted the mobo in the case, installed a Intel Pentium G3220 Haswell Dual-Core 3.0GHz LGA 1150 54W BX80646G3220 Desktop Processor...

and installed 2x4Gb CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9...

and when turned on it goes beep beep beep real short beeps real fast, about 20 or more and then three longer slower beeps but no startup... :huh:

gigabyte support says that the processor should work with this mobo, and that the ram is non ecc and unbuffered, as the mobo requires, but it won't work!!

gigabyte support really didn't offer much other than to say it should work and i can return the mobo if i want...

any ideas on how to resolve this situation?

tia

You might need to listen better to the beeps and count exactly how many beeps at a time. The mobo is trying to tell you what's wrong.

What does BIOS beep sound mean?

AMI BIOS
1 short beep ：Memory Error
2 short beep：Memory parity check error.
3 short beep ：basic memory 64K address check error
4 short beep ：Real Time Clock malfunction .
5 short beep ：CPU error
6 short beep：Keyboard error
7 short beep ：CPU interruption error
8 short beep：Graphic card error
9 short beep ：Memory error
10 short beep ：CMOS error
11 short beep ：CPU cache memory malfunction

From your description, I would guess it's maybe a memory issue. Remove the RAM and reinsert it. Test again. If that doesn't work, try one stick at a time.

If possible you need to try switching out each part, piece by piece, with known good parts, or conversely, known good configurations.

For example, try the ram in another PC that you know works. Remove the known working ram, replace with the new ram. If it works, its not the ram.

Same with every other part in the build until you find a culprit. (processor being the hardest if you don't have another known good mobo with the same socket)

Also, make sure you assemble the whole PC OUTSIDE of the case before you put it in the case, as a screw or other short can cause all sorts of bad stuff to happen.

In a case like this, my first guess is the mobo itself, as mobos have a much higher failure rate than ram. Cant know unless you troubleshoot it though.

Make sure it is all seated properly. Some times those RAM sticks don't like to go in all the way, and that will result in the BIOS cussing at you.

If 3 beeps, then it's memory. As stated earlier:

Re-seat the memory. If it still fails try, known to be good, memory.
If you have two sticks of memory try using only one at a time.

Not likely, but is the memory compatible with the board?

If none of the above, you've got a bad MOBO.

yeah i had that EXACT problem when i built one of my PCs. Also forgot to plug the 12v line into the motherboard on another one time. whoops

My memory was bad when I built my computer. It was nerve racking as hell cause it was my first and I was sure I did something wrong. Went and bought some more to try it out and it worked like a charm.