Motherboard 3 Beeps - RAM or RAM Slot Issue?

[balloon8]

Hey everyone!

This is my first time constructing a custom PC, so I'm a bit stumped on how to proceed from here. I have assembled everything in the case, and when I turn on the power, the motherboard speaker give me three beeps, silence, then repeats that until I turn off the power. I researched a bit and found that this sequence of beeps suggests that something is wrong with the RAM or that the motherboard isn't recognizing the RAM. I'm using 2 sticks of 4 GB G.Skill RAM. I tried placing the sticks in multiple different configurations: A2 and B2, A1 and B1, and then just trying to using one stick in each of the four slots, but none of the six configurations give me any results. Unfortunately, I don't have another motherboard that accepts DDR4 RAM, so I can't check to see if it is a RAM defect or the RAM slot on the motherboard that's causing problems. I'm also not getting anything to show up on my monitor.

At this point, I'm not sure whether to change the RAM, motherboard, or maybe update the BIOS? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!


My PC Build:
CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7 GHz Dual-Core
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 Pro4S ATX LGA1151
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR4 2400 Memory
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5'' 7200 RPM
GPU: Zotac GeForce GTX 950 2GB
Case: DIYPC Solo T1-BK ATX Mid Tower
PSU: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX

 

[alexoiu]

Hi,
What's the board BIOS version (Px.xx)?
http://www.asrock.com/support/images/FindBIOS-1.jpg

 

[Rogue Leader]

If you have 2 DIMMS and you tried starting the PC with a single DIMM in the first slot and it didn't work, and then the other DIMM did the same, that tells me the slots are bad. The chances of getting 2 bad DIMMS are so minimal its highly unlikely.

 

[balloon8]

Hi,
What's the board BIOS version (Px.xx)?
http://www.asrock.com/support/images/FindBIOS-1.jpg

Thanks for the reply. The sticker on the motherboard tells me that the BIOS version is P3.00. Is this a BIOS version that would cause problems?

 

[alexoiu]

No. It should support the CPU.
When inserting the RAM module, do both latches come in the"locked" position?

 

[balloon8]

If you have 2 DIMMS and you tried starting the PC with a single DIMM in the first slot and it didn't work, and then the other DIMM did the same, that tells me the slots are bad. The chances of getting 2 bad DIMMS are so minimal its highly unlikely.

No. It should support the CPU.
When inserting the RAM module, do both latches come in the"locked" position?

Do you mean if I am able to lock the RAM module into the slot after I insert it? I think that I am locking it correctly. The locked latch is not at the same position as the unlocked ones: they extend a hair beyond that, but they don't differ that much.

 

[balloon8]

If you have 2 DIMMS and you tried starting the PC with a single DIMM in the first slot and it didn't work, and then the other DIMM did the same, that tells me the slots are bad. The chances of getting 2 bad DIMMS are so minimal its highly unlikely.

Ah man, I was hoping that the RAM would be the issue and not the motherboard.

 

[Rogue Leader]

If you have 2 DIMMS and you tried starting the PC with a single DIMM in the first slot and it didn't work, and then the other DIMM did the same, that tells me the slots are bad. The chances of getting 2 bad DIMMS are so minimal its highly unlikely.

No. It should support the CPU.
When inserting the RAM module, do both latches come in the"locked" position?

Do you mean if I am able to lock the RAM module into the slot after I insert it? I think that I am locking it correctly. The locked latch is not at the same position as the unlocked ones: they extend a hair beyond that, but they don't differ that much.

It should snap in completely and tightly, the latches should go fully into the notches on the sides of the RAM.

Try this with a single RAM module in the first slot closest to the CPU and see what happens. It may require more pressure than you think, but you shouldn't have to smash it in there.

 

[Rogue Leader]

If you have 2 DIMMS and you tried starting the PC with a single DIMM in the first slot and it didn't work, and then the other DIMM did the same, that tells me the slots are bad. The chances of getting 2 bad DIMMS are so minimal its highly unlikely.

Ah man, I was hoping that the RAM would be the issue and not the motherboard.

Try what I mentioned above, but if it doesn't work, try the other DIMM, if it still doesn't work, its gotta be the motherboard.

 

[balloon8]

If you have 2 DIMMS and you tried starting the PC with a single DIMM in the first slot and it didn't work, and then the other DIMM did the same, that tells me the slots are bad. The chances of getting 2 bad DIMMS are so minimal its highly unlikely.

Ah man, I was hoping that the RAM would be the issue and not the motherboard.

Try what I mentioned above, but if it doesn't work, try the other DIMM, if it still doesn't work, its gotta be the motherboard.

Oh man, oh man... I'm so dumb. When I was pressing the RAM in, the motherboard had started to bend a little, making me think that I must be pushing it hard enough. But, I did not know that the latch was supposed to snap in automatically if I pushed it in hard enough. Now, the beeping noises are gone. However, I'm still not getting any video to show up on my monitor. Do I need to install the operating system before I see anything on the screen? Thank you very much you Rogue Leader and alexoiu!

 

[Rogue Leader]

Are you plugged into the port on your GPU? Do you see the BIOS when you first turn it on?

 

[balloon8]

Are you plugged into the port on your GPU? Do you see the BIOS when you first turn it on?

I am plugged into my GPU through a DVI connection. I just restarted my PC, and I am seeing the BIOS page now. I think that I should be good to go now!

Thanks guys for your help!