GA-H57M-USB3 Memory Slot configuration faulty?

[KenJ]

I have built a new machine (see spec below) and have a problem on boot up, a repetitive series of short beeps, before the machine shuts down.

Although the rev 1 motherboard is not compatible with the i3 550, this was sent to Gigabyte for a bios upgrade and is now compatible.

However, now the machine is built, it starts up with a series of short beeps before shutting down. After checking everything was seated correctly, removing all peripherals the problem still remained. Removing the memory produced a different set of beeps (as expected) however, on replacing one of the memory into slot 1, resulted in a bootup to the bios. Placing the 2nd memory back in slot 3 returned the beeps as before. After trying various memory configurations I have established memory works fine in slots 1 & 2 (Bios reports 4gb memory) though if any memory is swapped into slots 3 & 4 the beeps and the subsequent shutdown returns.

As far as I can see, the motherboard has either a jumper or something not set properly, or is faulty. Although the engineers at Gigabyte I am sure a the best, I can't help wondering if some configuration was changed and not restored. Can anyone help

Thanks

KenJ

CPU:                         1 x Intel Core i3 550 3.2GHz Socket 1156 4MB L3 Cache Retail Box Processor
Motherboard:           1 x Gigabyte GA-H57M-USB3, Intel H57, 1156, PCI-E 2.0 (x16), DDR3 2200+/1800, SATA 3GB/s RAID, mATX, VGA
Memory:                   1 x Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz HyperX Memory Kit CL9(9-9-9-27) 1.7 - 1.9V
                                      Slots 1 & 3
Power Supply           1 x RS-850-AMBA - 850W Coolermaster SilentProM, Modular, SLi, 85%+ Eff' Bronze, ATX 12V V 2.3, EPS 12V V2.92
CPU Cooler:              1 x Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro rev 2 Socket 775, 1156, 1366, AM2, AM3 Heatpipe CPU Cooler
Fans:                        2 x Xilence Red Wing 120mm Quiet Fan - 3&4pin connection
Case:                       1 Xclio Windtunnel Extreme V2 Cooling Black Tower case with 2 x 25cm VR Side Fans - w/o PSU
Hard Drive:               2 x Seagate ST3500418AS 500GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM
Optical Drive:           1 x Sony Optiarc DRU-875S 24x DVD±RW 8x DL & RAM with LightScribe SATA Optical Drive
Fan Controller:         1 x AeroCool Touch 2000 Fan Controller
Monitors:                  2 x Iiyama B2209HDS 22 LCD Monitor 16:9 Widescreen Full HD 1920x1080, 300cd/m2, 1000:1, 20000:1, 2ms, VGA DVI HDCP HDMI Tilt Swivel Pivot

[Dark Mantis]

Well there is no jumpers on the board to configure as it's all done in then BIOS. So I would recommend clearing the CMOS memory and then going into the BIOS and loading the optimised defaults and saving. See then if everything is better. Post back if you still have a problem. The series of short beeps usually means a power supply problem buit unless yours is faulty it should be powerful enough.

[KenJ]

Hi,

The power supply is brand new, and the machine works fine if the memory chips are in slots 1 & 2

I set the bios as you mentioned, with ram in 1 & 2. re-booted ok, then moved memory from slot 2 to slot 3, and the series of rapid short beeps and shutdown occurred as before.

[Dark Mantis]

Not being pedantic but did you clear the CMOS first?

[KenJ]

I did clear the cmos yesterday, left the battery out for an hour, and also shorted the battery contacts (5secs) before putting the battery back in, but it made no difference. I will do it again and post back the results.

[KenJ]

Removed battery
Shorted battery contacts
Move Memory from slot 3 to slot 2
Replaced battery
Booted to bios
Loaded Bios from optimal defaults
Saved Bios
rebooted OK
closed down machine
move memory from slot 2 to slot 3
Same result as before series of rapid short beeps and shutdown

[Dark Mantis]

Ok. These beeps are they continuous or just a series, if so how many?

[KenJ]

The beeps are continuous, difficult to count yet I estimate about 40-45 beeps in the 9 seconds from start of beeps till the machine shuts down

[Dark Mantis]

Ok. So the memory is in the two slots nearest the CPU, yes? And it will boot ok from there?

[KenJ]

Yes that is correct

[Dark Mantis]

So what exactly are you complaining about? The board is working how it is meant to with only two memory modules installed.

[KenJ]

Yes the board is working with smemory in slots 1 and 2, however, since I have memory for daul channel processing, which requires for two banks of memory they should be in slots 1 & 3 (as per user manual). i.e. with memory in slots 1 & 2, I am not getting the full speed available.

Thanks

[Dark Mantis]

Sorry my bad. I was looking at the board and thought that the two sockets nearest the CPU were the dual channels. They should be seated in the two white slots for dual channel mode. The BIOS should autosense the modules as dual channel. Sounds like the board is faulty then. You will need to get it RMAed.

[KenJ]

Yep, thats what should happen , so ya think its buggered?

[Dark Mantis]

Well from what you have said it sounds like it. Or at least when they flashed the BIOS it didn't take properly or was a bad BIOS update. I would arrange an RMA and make sure that the board is either fixed or if a replacement that it is compatible with your CPU.