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I am building a small Mini-ITX computer. But I can not make it boot. When I start the computer I hear two short beeps from the motherboard and nothing is shown on the monitor.

How can I fix this?

The motherboard is a MSI IM-945GSE Option A with an Intel Atom processor and embedded graphics. I have a 1GB Kingston DDR2 memory KVR667D2S5/1G but I have also tested with a 2GB KVR533D2S4/2G. The power supply is a FSP300-60GHS.

I can not find what the two short beeps means in the manual for the motherboard.

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This seems to be a similar problem IM-945GSE-A & 2GB SODIMM won't POST – Jonas Nov 5 '10 at 17:38
Does it make the same beeps when you remove all the memory sticks and boot? – ayaz Nov 5 '10 at 17:52
@ayaz: Good suggestion. I removed the memory, and now I get more beeps, but they are much louder. So the two short beeps is probably something else. Maybe it's just the graphics that is broken...? – Jonas Nov 5 '10 at 18:13
should be able to test that if you have a PCI video card sitting around. – Xantec Nov 5 '10 at 18:24
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3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

According to MSI's site scroll down to the "No Post - Diagnostic codes " section, you'll see a description of beep codes. Depending on what kind of BIOS you have it could mean different things:

AMI Beep Code
Beep Code - Description
1 short - DRAMS refresh failure
2 short - Parity circuit failure
3 short - Base 64k RAM failure
4 short - System timer failure
5 short - Process failure
6 short - Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
7 short - Virtual mode exception error
8 short - Display memory Read/Write test failure
9 short - ROM BIOS checksum failure
10 short - CMOS shutdown Read/Write error
11 short - Cache Memory error
1 long, 3 short - Conventional/Extended memory failure
1 long, 8 short - Display/Retrace test failed

AWARD Beep Code
Beep Code - Description 1 Long, 2 Short - A video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot intialize the video screen to display any additional information
Any other beep(s) - RAM problem

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Okey, so it's either the memory (I have tried with two sticks - same beeps) or the graphics card (embedded on the motherboard). So I guess I have to buy a new motherboard. – Jonas Nov 5 '10 at 18:01
See my comment to my question. Response to ayaz. – Jonas Nov 5 '10 at 18:14
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@Jonas yes if reseating the RAM doesn't do it, and it's an integrated CPU then call MSI and get an RMA – Zypher Nov 5 '10 at 18:21
I have returned the motherboard to the shop, they removed the battery and said it worked for them. Now when I got the motherboard back I have the same problem again. I have tried with removing the battery but id doesn't help. – Jonas Feb 19 '11 at 17:28
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up vote 0 down vote

I would check to make sure that everything is plugged in correctly. I did this once, but there was a motherboard cord unplugged (I don't remember what it was). Look very carefully at all the plugs and make sure you didn't miss one. comment back and tell me the outcome.

-Good Luck

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Well there is not much that can go wrong. It should be possible to just connect the power, an USB-keyboard, the SO-DIMM Memory and a DVI monitor, to able to enter the BIOS. – Jonas Nov 5 '10 at 17:45
You said you were building it correct? Building a computer to me means connecting all the necessary parts together (motherboard, processor, RAM, hard drive, etc). If this is what you did, a cable could be disconnected that is supposed to be connected to something. This is what I was talking about, not the keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. – David Nov 5 '10 at 17:55
Yes, but the CPU and Graphics card is embedded on the motherboard, so I just have to insert a memory stick and power. That's all. – Jonas Nov 5 '10 at 18:04
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up vote 0 down vote

Yes - I would double check that the proper power supply to motherboard connections are being made. While you are in there reseat the RAM.

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I have reseat the ram and tried both the 1GB and the 2GB stick. And also ckecked the power. It's actually starts a few seconds and I can restart it with CTRL+ALT+DELETE on the keyboard. But I always get the two short beeps and no video. I think there most be a failure of the motherboard. – Jonas Nov 5 '10 at 18:00
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