Incorrect BIOS Beep Code?

[Accessless]

I occasionaly encounter the problem of a graphics card crash. The PC locks up and the monitor goes into sleep mode. After a hard reset (only option in that state), I receive a long beep followed by 3 short beeps. The computer will then continue to boot Windows successfully with no display.

Quoting from this website: http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/amibeep.htm

"1 long, 3 short    Memory test failure    A fault has been detected in memory above 64KB"

But this isn't correct, RAM tests show the memory to be fine & that error doesn't make any sense considering that the other symptoms.

I know that the graphics card is at fault, so the question is why am I receiving such a blatantly erroneous error?
(Same PC as listed in profile)

[Computer_Commando]

The PC is correct, you are the one in error.
The graphics memory is what is being referred to in the fault message
Intel Memory Map

[Accessless]

You're going to have to explain your diagram, I'm confused (it doesn't take much).

[Computer_Commando]

...Memory test failure    A fault has been detected in memory above 64KB"

It actually, probably said this:  Memory test failure    A fault has been detected in memory above 640KB
On the pic, see the words between 640KB & 768KB, i.e. Legacy Video Card Memory Access?  That memory space is mapped to the video card memory, not to the System RAM.

This is why if you have a 32-bit OS, with 4GB of RAM, only 2GB are definitely available & maybe another 1GB, if not used by something else.  For WinXP-32bit, 3GB RAM & 1GB video card is maxed out.  There is no more space available to address.

Good Old DOS was limited to 640KB.

Picture the street you live on.  It's only so long & has only so many houses (lots).  The only way to get more lots is to make the street longer (address space) or start dividing up the lots (redefining the map, too late for that).  Each lot (house) has an address, so the mailman knows where to deliver the mail (data).
e.g., John, Jane, & Bob represent the data.
John Doe, 100 Main Street, Anytown 12345, USA
Jane Doe, 101 Main Street, Anytown 12345, USA
Bob Doe, 102 Main Street, Anytown 12345, USA

[patio]

How did you possibly get my address ? ?

[Computer_Commando]

How did you possibly get my address ? ?

NSA

[Lisa_maree]

Hi

In your specs it doesn't give the make and model of power supply.

Perhaps the power supply isn't up to the higher startup load of your computer and causing the error.

But if you press the rest button the computer will complete booting. As your 2 drives are up to speed and other conditions that cause extra load at startup are completed.

[Salmon Trout]

e.g., John, Jane, & Bob represent the data.
John Doe, 100 Main Street, Anytown 12345, USA
Jane Doe, 101 Main Street, Anytown 12345, USA
Bob Doe, 102 Main Street, Anytown 12345, USA

If you live in Europe, does your data have to go all the way to the USA and back? And get read by the NSA like Patio said?

[Accessless]

I've seen a lot of people question this error online and most replies, & solutions I might add, relate to RAM memory.

However this is not the issue atm. I performed a memory test on my graphics card & it came back clean, also I updated the drivers.

The computer has just this minuite crashed again, but with a symptom which I had previously ignored as it had always existed. When I replaced the motherboard I started getting static through the speakers when shutting down just before powering off (using on-board sound). On my last crash the static began but sounded distorted, wavey sort of if that makes sense. I previously had problems with testing the RAM, finding errors & crashing the test programs, which was mysteriously fixed when I rearranged all the memory.

So do I have a defective motherboard? Or do I go back to the graphics card (the only original component from "Reboot madness" http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=124996.0 (although there is no screen tearing present this time)

If I don't figure this out soon I'm going to blame voodoo magic.

[patio]

Which MBoard are we talking about here ? ?

[Computer_Commando]

If you live in Europe, does your data have to go all the way to the USA and back? And get read by the NSA like Patio said?

As I said, not Patio, but to your questions, No & Yes.

[Accessless]

Which MBoard are we talking about here ? ?

Sorry, I'm not being very clear about whats going on.

The reboot madness thread was an old computer, the only component of which that was carried over to the new build was the graphics card. My current specs are those listed in my profile.

So the Mobo in question now is an Asus M5A97 LE R2.0

[Salmon Trout]

At last. It's the right beep code for that mobo.

First Post:

I receive a long beep followed by 3 short beeps.

Now, we learn...

So the Mobo in question now is an Asus M5A97 LE R2.0

Type this into Google: "asus m5a97 le r2.0 beep codes"

Asus website (Google found this in 0.16 seconds)

http://support.asus.com/Troubleshooting/detail.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&m=M5A97%20LE%20R2.0&s=24&hashedid=n/a&os=&no=978

1.4.2.2      Graphics card issue: Beep (1 long 3 short)

[Accessless]

Do you know what ludicrous place I have looked for those codes? The manual... Guess where they are not listed.

Anyway back to buying a new graphics card.

Now all I have to do is:

• Work out why the BIOS thinks that I have 2 keyboards.
• Work out why the mouse will only work in a USB 3.0 port.
• Work out why only my PC refuses to use the wifi printer yet acknowledges it on the network.

And then my PC will be fully functional... I think. And people say that consoles are more fun :p