AMI BIOS POSTing 3-beeps "64k base memory error", nothing shows up on display

[JustPressW]

Computer will not POST at all. I'm getting 3 beeps from my PC speaker which indicates that there is a memory error based on AMI's website. I tried reconfiguring my RAM sticks, taking them both out, taking one out at a time, changing the slots they're in, pretty much everything. I still get the beeps and nothing shows up on my display. My RAM have been working without any issue for just over a year now and upon inspecting them they do not appear to be dusty or damaged in the slightest. Can anyone offer me some advice? Perhaps a component on my motherboard is broken? Thank you in advance for your time!

 

[Spectre694]

3 beeps is bad RAM on AMI boards or at least it used to be on my Pentium 4. Can you get a stick from somewhere else?

 

[JustPressW]

3 beeps is bad RAM on AMI boards or at least it used to be on my Pentium 4. Can you get a stick from somewhere else?

I could possibly borrow one from someone else for the sake of testing. Is there any way of me ensuring that it's a RAM issue without getting different RAM, though?

 

[Spectre694]

3 beeps is bad RAM on AMI boards or at least it used to be on my Pentium 4. Can you get a stick from somewhere else?

I could possibly borrow one from someone else for the sake of testing. Is there any way of me ensuring that it's a RAM issue without getting different RAM, though?

Sounds like you have already done the classic try with one stick and then the other so RAM is probably 90% likely your problem. Most boards won't POST without memory so there is no way to tell for sure that it isn't the mobo or CPU however since it does beep (function of the mobo POST) My first thought is that they mobo and CPU are fine and your RAM is bad.not 100% guarantee but 90% sure.

 

[JustPressW]

3 beeps is bad RAM on AMI boards or at least it used to be on my Pentium 4. Can you get a stick from somewhere else?

I could possibly borrow one from someone else for the sake of testing. Is there any way of me ensuring that it's a RAM issue without getting different RAM, though?

Sounds like you have already done the classic try with one stick and then the other so RAM is probably 90% likely your problem. Most boards won't POST without memory so there is no way to tell for sure that it isn't the mobo or CPU however since it does beep (function of the mobo POST) My first thought is that they mobo and CPU are fine and your RAM is bad.not 100% guarantee but 90% sure.

Thanks a lot for this information. I'll go about buying new memory later today. Since I have this topic open however I feel that I should add a piece of information. Before this memory error the computer was occasionally shutting off completely randomly (I closely monitored temperatures after a few of these shut downs and it seemed like everything was running at a good temperature so I don't think anything overheated). The computer would just shut off without any BSOD or other error, and then after perhaps 5-10 seconds it would sometimes turn itself back on again. They happened totally randomly. Would this be a motherboard issue, or a power supply issue, or would it be something related to the memory problem?

Thanks a lot for your help so far.

 

[Spectre694]

3 beeps is bad RAM on AMI boards or at least it used to be on my Pentium 4. Can you get a stick from somewhere else?

I could possibly borrow one from someone else for the sake of testing. Is there any way of me ensuring that it's a RAM issue without getting different RAM, though?

Sounds like you have already done the classic try with one stick and then the other so RAM is probably 90% likely your problem. Most boards won't POST without memory so there is no way to tell for sure that it isn't the mobo or CPU however since it does beep (function of the mobo POST) My first thought is that they mobo and CPU are fine and your RAM is bad.not 100% guarantee but 90% sure.

Thanks a lot for this information. I'll go about buying new memory later today. Since I have this topic open however I feel that I should add a piece of information. Before this memory error the computer was occasionally shutting off completely randomly (I closely monitored temperatures after a few of these shut downs and it seemed like everything was running at a good temperature so I don't think anything overheated). The computer would just shut off without any BSOD or other error, and then after perhaps 5-10 seconds it would sometimes turn itself back on again. They happened totally randomly. Would this be a motherboard issue, or a power supply issue, or would it be something related to the memory problem?

Thanks a lot for your help so far.

That could be related to the memory but sounds more like a PSU issue to be honest. You might want to look at that too especially if a different RAM stick doesn't work.

 

[terry4536]

Have you tried running memtest?

 

[JustPressW]

Have you tried runnig memtest?

Hello! I replaced the RAM and the power supply but the POST issue prevails. After 15 seconds or so of beeping the computer shuts down and turns on again a few seconds later. What does this mean? Do u need to replace my mobo?

 

[Spectre694]

Have you tried runnig memtest?

Hello! I replaced the RAM and the power supply but the POST issue prevails. After 15 seconds or so of beeping the computer shuts down and turns on again a few seconds later. What does this mean? Do u need to replace my mobo?

Unfortunately that is the only thing left if you have tried the RAM and PSU is the mobo/CPU.

 

[terry4536]

Yes, three AMI beep codes is "Base 64K memory failure". Replacing the RAM usually fixes the issue, but if it is the memory controller then the motherboard will have to be replaced (but at least you have new RAM now as well).

 

[The Hendoman]

i agree, after having the same memory issue on an acer aspire m3470g. i tried one at a time, i tried different posts, i tried new memory, and still the 3 beeps and a endless loop after the raid drivers load up. If it's memory controller, i can't figure out how to 'fix' it, so it's new motherboard time. there's a 3.6ghz bundle for $460 on newegg.com, and now i have 12 gigs of compatible memory (if this bad (?) one didnt fry 'em) since this system is 2.2ghz, i'm going to upgrade rather than repair or troubleshoot further.

The Hendoman