I've pretty much got my server built, but I have a big issue.  I have bought the Super Micro C2SEE board, and tried it with different RAM.  But none of the RAM works.  Two of the sticks I have tried are even listed as compatible on supermicro's website.  When I hit the power button to turn the machine on, the motherboard just continually beeps and my monitor never receives any signal.  The system makes the exact same error beep if I try to boot it without any memory installed.

 

Is the continual beep a memory error code?

 

Even if there is a memory error, should I at least be able to get a signal on the screen and see the BIOS?  Or is this normal for a memory error?

 

Thanks for any help

 

-Jared

I have that MB and the manual says that a continuous beep code is a System Overheat error. Is your CPU fan plugged in and spinning?

I've pretty much got my server built, but I have a big issue.  I have bought the Super Micro C2SEE board, and tried it with different RAM.  But none of the RAM works.  Two of the sticks I have tried are even listed as compatible on supermicro's website.  When I hit the power button to turn the machine on, the motherboard just continually beeps and my monitor never receives any signal.  The system makes the exact same error beep if I try to boot it without any memory installed.

 

Is the continual beep a memory error code?

 

Even if there is a memory error, should I at least be able to get a signal on the screen and see the BIOS?  Or is this normal for a memory error?

 

Thanks for any help

 

-Jared

 

According the THIS site, a memory error would resuld in a series of long beeps.  Is that what you are getting?

 

Did you install the CPU yourself?  I would start there and make sure you have seated it properly and that the HSF if correctly installed and the the HSF is connected to the motherboard connector.  Motherboards tend to be very unhappy if the HSF is not connected. 

 

Make sure that the motherboard is powered from the PSU.  There is a long 24 pin connect that is hard to miss, but also a smaller 4-8 pin connector (depending on motherboard) that must also be connected.  I believe you'll be beeps if this second power connector is not plugged.

 

Make sure that the video card is powered correctly - some require a separate connection to the PSU to fully power it, and not having that connected can cause the long beep you are describing. 

 

After you have verified the above, add ONE stick of RAM, video card, keyboard, and see if it will POST.  If not, try another memory stick.  If 2-3 memory sticks won't work, your problem is not bad memory.

The C2SEE has built in video, so you shouldn't need to use a video card.  Everything else bjp999 said is spot on.

Thanks for the information.  Unfortunately, i unplugged everything and plugged it back in, and I'm still getting the error beeps.  Nothing is output to the monitor, my keyboard doesn't light up (it's backlit).  I have the large power connected, I have the 8 pin power connected.  I tried the different memory sticks, I tried it with the USB flash plugged in, with the flash unplugged.  Nothing seems to help.  I think I must just have a bad motherboard.  Looks like I'll be buying a new MB now.

 

I appreciate your quick responses and look forward to getting my server up and running.  I need it fast, I have 30 gigs of space left on my 1TB computer HD.

 

-Jared

Is the continual beep a memory error code? No from the MB manual 1 continuous beep (with the front panel OH LED on) System Overheat. If what you are getting is actually a continuous beep then it's most likely the CPU/Heatsink. You will need to do the following which was already posted above.

 

You need to check to see if your CPU fan power connector is connected to the correct header on the MB. If it is then you will need to remove the heatsink and processor. Inspect the processor for bent pins. If no bent pins then Clean the top of CPU and the bottom of the heatsink of all old thermal paste. Apply new thermal compound and reinstall the CPU and heatsink onto the MB.

I have taken the CPU out, cleaned all the thermal grease off of it, reinstalled it, added new thermal grease, and reinstalled the heatsink and fan.  The fan spins like it did before.  I still get the continuous beep.  What's weird is I called SuperMicro tech support, and they listened to the beeping over the phone and told me it is a memory error (even though the manual clearly states it is an overheating error code).

 

 

 

-Jared

I have taken the CPU out, cleaned all the thermal grease off of it, reinstalled it, added new thermal grease, and reinstalled the heatsink and fan.  The fan spins like it did before.  I still get the continuous beep.  What's weird is I called SuperMicro tech support, and they listened to the beeping over the phone and told me it is a memory error (even though the manual clearly states it is an overheating error code).

 

 

 

-Jared

Do you have another CPU to test on this machine, or another machine where you could test the CPU. If you still get the error with only CPU and MBD, the problem is probably with one or the other.

 

Edit: Another suggestion, check that you don't have a screw loose beneath the MBD. From experience, I had a loose screw which would short the board when I stood the case upright, but not in contact when I had the case open and flat on the ground. It would complain with beeps when ever I closed the case and up-righted it, but not when I laid it flat and opened up. 

Before I saw your last post, I actually was searching craigslist and sent some emails trying to buy some old LGA775 chips for around $15 to check to see if it is the chip or MB.  I think I can narrow it down to one of the other once i install a new chip.  My IT guy at work may have a few old chips laying around for me to test.

 

One thing that I think is strange is that the keyboard doesnt seem to get any power to it.  It doesn't light up at all.

are you sure about the power supply functionality?

 

supermicro MB are very picky with RAM and CPU - check the compatibility list for your CPU and ram first -

 

you can also check if the cpu get juice by just trying to  start it with no heatsink and keep one finger on the cpu to see if it heats up and the other hand on the power supply switch

What are the model numbers and sizes of your memory modules? I do not have this motherboard, I have the 8SIL-F, but all of Supermicro's boards are very picky with memory. If memory serves me there are a few that are using these KVR1333D3N9/2G in your board and are working fine.

 

Not being able to here the beep codes I would go with what tech support is telling you about a memory error and put something in that is known to work.

 

Burt

 

Edited for incorrect memory part number

I will test the CPU heat to make sure it is getting juice.

 

The memory I am using is Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262

 

I have tested both sticks in every combination possible

 

I just picked up a Pentium 4 for $15, I'll test it tonight.

 

 

After installing the new Processor, the beeping has stopped.  I think it was a bum processor all along.

 

I am still having problems though.  I can't get the monitor to show anything.  When I boot up the system, the monitor should have something displayed on it right?  I have tried with the unraid thumb drive and without.  I am using a USB keyboard though, should the system detect a usb keyboard?

it may be a good or a bad sign - either you have a working CPU or an incompatible one

 

next step  remove memory

 

you should be hearing the beeps again

 

you should also see something on that screen - at least a PowerOnSelfTest with the details about CPU and ram installed ans devices present on-board and plugged in

Memory removed, no beeps at all, nothing on the screen.  But of course, the $15 CPU I bought is not listed as compatible with this SuperMicro motherbaord.  Can I rule out that there is anything wrong with the motherboard?  It will be the hardest thing to return.

bad motherboard happens...but most of the time it's the compatibility list that you have to follow especially with supermicro

 

put back the old CPU and try some different sticks of ram you have around or get the list of QualifiedVendorsList from supermicro and order something listed

 

try one stick at a time then

 

try with 1 stick and no stick to see if it's the same beep you get

I think everything I was using at first is compatible with the C2SEE.  i was using

 

Intel Pentium Dual-Core E6500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80571E6500

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116093

 

and the memory is

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model CT2KIT25664BA1339

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262

 

The memory is listed on supermicro's website and on crucial's website as guaranteed compatible.

 

Before posting this message, i went back to make sure that the CPU is compatible.  Looks like it is not.  I knew I saw that the E6000 series were compatible, but it was talking about Core 2 Duo E6000.  The one I bought is Pentium Dual Core E 6500.  My guess is that this is the root problem.

 

 

glad I could help!

Yeah, I feel a little dumb now.  In my mad rush to get everything bought, I rushed a little too fast.

 

In related news, anyone need a CPU from the above link?  I'll sell it for $70 with free shipping anywhere in the US.

Not sure. I'm using a Wolfdale CPU (E5500) in my C2SEE and it works just fine.  From what I can see the only difference is that your CPU has a higher clock speed.  I don't see why that would make it incompatible.

I agree with you.  I was going to purchase the E5500, but fry's had the E6500 on sale for the same price as the E5500, so I jumped on it.  But when I look at the compatible CPU list on newegg, the E6000 series isn't listed in the dual core section.

Thanks for your help,  The problem the whole time was the CPU.  When I popped in a Pentium E5500, everything worked like a charm.