GA-H55M-UD2H power error on startup

[CraigNZ]

Configuration:

  GA-H55M-UD2H
  Intel Core i3 540
  Cooler Master GX 750W PSU
  Kingston ValueRAM KVR1333D3D4R9S/4GI (two of these, mounted in white slots)
  Speaker

Problem:

  When I power on the system I get a continuous series of fast beeps which according to the manual indicates a power error.

Have tried:

  Replaced with another motherboard of same type
  Originally had one memory module, purchased a second and installed it
  Replaced the power supply with this new one
  Removed motherboard from case and set on cardboard box
  Replaced cpu (originally had i3 530)
  Removed backup battery

So essentially I have replaced every component .. power supply, motherboard, ram, cpu and I still get the same problem .. a continuous series of short beeps.  The power supply is connected to the 20 pin connector and also to the 4 pin connector on the motherboard.  I cannot find any clock speed jumpers, no other power connectors.  There is no display connected, no SATA drives, just a motherboard, ram, cpu and power supply.

Does anyone have an idea what is wrong or what I can try next?  My thought now is because I have tried two motherboards of the same type that it must be a faulty design in the m/b .. surprising because I have always used Gigabyte m/b's and never had a problem.  But this one has me stumped.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

Have you connected the 12v 8 pin EATX connector near the CPU to the PSU?

Have you checked the voltage control on the PSU is set properly?

Have you made sure that the memory is compatible with this motherboard?

Try booting with just one module in one of the white slots. If it still fails swap the modules and try again.

[CraigNZ]

I looked on the m/b and do not find an 8 pin EATX connector .. maybe this is the problem.  There is a 4 pin 12V ATX connector which I have connected to the PSU, but maybe this processor or chipset requires an 8 pin.  That might explain the power error problem.

On the PSU, I do not find any voltage control settings.  It is a universal supply so it accepts a wide range of input voltage.  The PSU is rated 80+ with a single +12V rail for up to 60A.  Given the Core i3 processors are supposed to be 'green' I would think this supply would have more than enough capacity.

I believe the memory is compatible.  The m/b says 1.5V DD3 etc which seems to match the memory specs.

Originally I had one stick in, let's call it A.  I put it in DDR3-1 slot (white one near cpu).  This didn't work so I purchased a second stick  call it B and put it in DDR3-2 slot (the other white one).  Same problem, so I removed A and B and then put B in DDR-1 slot .. no luck.  Then put A in second slot (in other words, I reversed the memory from the original config) and same problem.

Question, who is generating the beeps .. is it the cpu or the chipset?  Checking around the forums it appears others have also had this problem and never resolved it .. having to just return the m/b.  Is it possible the m/b has a design flaw?  Or, is too sensitive to voltage?  Or maybe there is the need for a second power connector?

[Dark Mantis]

No you are quite right this motherboard only has a four pin EATX connector for the 12v.

The memory is quite important and not just any old DDR3 will work. Not only that but you should buy them as matched pairs, not singly.

Well based on past experience I think we should check for bent pins on the CPU socket.

Very carefully remove the heatsink and fan. Probably a slight twisting motion is best to release the two as the thermal paste can act like a glue.

Once off remove the CPU taking extreme care both physically and electrically(static) and place somewhere safe.

Make sure that the lighting is very good and even.

Now scrutinise the socket for any pins that are out of alignment, even slightly.
If in any doubt whatsoever take a couple of macro (close up) photos of the socket and post them on here for us to check.

Also look at the bottom of the CPU at the lands (little copper circles) and make sure that there is a mark in each somewhere near the centre.
If there are any missing marks or any of the pins are obviously bent then that is your problem.

[CraigNZ]

Not sure if that is the problem (bent pins) because I have tried 2 m/b's and 2 processors.  Same problem with both.  But here is a photo of the socket.  Hope this helps.

[Dark Mantis]

Nice clear photo! I would say that the pins look fine to me. Often the easiest way to double check is to look at the marks on the lands underneath the CPU itself.

[CraigNZ]

In the m/b manual it states "Support for non-ECC memory modules".  At their website they show the following memory module supported by the m/b:

Kingston KVR1333D3N9/2G

This is the memory module I am using:

Kingston KVR1333D3D4R9S/4G

Looking at the specs for both memories I noticed the first one is non-ECC memory and the one installed is ECC memory.  Could this be the source of the problem?  If so I am not sure why I don't get a continuous long beep error which indicates memory problem, rather than the short one which indicates power error.

Anyway, can someone confirm that installing ECC memory in this motherboard would cause it to exhibit these problems?

Thanks

[CraigNZ]

Further to my last reply, maybe the problem is not the ECC compatibility but rather the 'registered' spec.  The memory installed is registered, but doing some checking on the internet it says this may not work in a m/b that does not support 'registered', or unbuffered memory modules.  Could this be the problem why the PC is not booting.

[Dark Mantis]

I would say that you have hit the nail on the head there. I am sure that if you replace your memory with compatible modules you will find it makes a big difference.

[CraigNZ]

Success!  Installing the non-ECC, unregistered RAM fixed the problem.  I think what was confusing was the continuous short beeps when I powered up the board .. according to the manual that indicates a power supply error.  I am guessing the reason for this is the registered ram inserts buffer chips and this may have pulled down on the power .. something the m/b engineers can tell us.  Anyway it works now, thanks Dark Mantis for your help.

[Dark Mantis]

You are welcome and it's good to see a positive result.