Question I cannot get PC to POST ?

[jiv808]

Hi

I'm trying to get a PC with a Supermicro H8SCM-F mATX board to POST.
I'm getting 5 short beeps, then 1 long beep when powering up.
Tried all sorts of RAM - ECC Registered, non-ECC - still get the 5 short 1 long.
CPU is a Opteron 4386. I did read in a previous thread here that if the BIOS is an old version, only Opteron 4100 series CPUs will POST.
Okay, if this is the case, would I still get the 5 short 1 long BIOS beeps? What gets checked first in a POST procedure - compatible CPU or RAM?

 

[Lutfij]

https://www.supermicro.com/manuals/motherboard/SR56x0/MNL-H8SCM(-F).pdf
Page A-1, 5 shorts, 1 long beep Memory error No memory detected in system
Would be a good idea to check and see if there are any pins bent or broken on the socket for the motherboard.

Your board has a BIOS recovery option;
https://www.supermicro.com/products/archive/motherboard/h8scm-f

********BIOS Recovery procedure*******
When you performed the Flash reprogramming, make sure you do not reboot or power down until the updates is completed
( typically within 5 minutes). If you fail to heed this procedure,
you will be left with a system that has a corrupted BIOS.
In the unlikely event that a Flash upgrade is interrupted catastrophically,
the BIOS may be left in an unusable state. However, SUPERMICRO's Flash ROMs have a special BIOS Recovery procedure
that can be performed. Recovering from this condition requires the following steps.

1. Copy the H8xxxxx.xxx file from BIOS package and save into a USB drive
2. Rename the H8xxxxx.xxx file to super.rom
3. Install the USB on the MB and remove other bootable device
4. While Power on the system, hit "ctrl + Home" keys several times
5. The USB LED turn on, but the screen is blank and some long beeps from onboard buzzer.
6. After the BIOS recovery is completed, 4 quick beeps and then system will reboot.
7. CMOS Checksum message will show, press F1 go into BIOS setup and then load optimal default settings or your custom BIOS setting.
8. Save setting and reboot system.

Pulled off the readme inside the zipped file, if you go looking for the BIOS file meant for updating. Perhaps see if that helps.

 

[jiv808]

@Lutfij thanks for the tips. I will check out the memory slots and give the BIOS recovery a go.

 

[jiv808]

Okay an update.

I discovered that the 1st DIMM slot is the one furthest away from the CPU. I've always believed that the 1st RAM stick should go into the slot closest to the CPU.

Sooo I put in a known working 4GB non-ECC RAM stick. Still got the 5 short beeps and 1 long.

BUT I then put in a 16GB ECC Registered RAM stick. NO beeps. Nothing. Even after a minute of waiting. So I'm guessing that the RAM is ok but the Opteron 4386 CPU isn't supported by the current BIOS version.

I tried the update/recovery method that is described in the latest BIOS update readme to no avail.

I have now bought a Opteron 4122 CPU, so a 4100 series, for $10 off ebay (free postage!). When that arrives I'll install it and try again.

 

[jiv808]

Update 2
Received the Opteron 4122 CPU and installed it. Sadly, board still refuses to POST. Not sure what to do now.
I contacted the ebay seller to see if they actually tested the board before sale. My guess is that they didn't. I will wait and see how they reply.