Should a PC be able to post without RAM ??

grifgrif1

grifgrif1

grifgrif1

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Hi all - Ive got a bit of a problem with my pc at the moment where it will not post and i'm just wondering if its my RAM thats causing the problem - as basically after turning the computer on - it turns off after 5 seconds and doesnt "beep" to say its posted - Ive been testing all other components and im doubting its the CPU thats causing the problem . . I just need to know can a pc at least post without any RAM on motherboard ????
 
Think generally it powers up and stays on but doesn't post without RAM, might not always be the case though.
 
pretty sure it wont be able to complete its POST without ram. you'll probably just hear a long beep. how many sticks of ram have you got? if you have a couple of sticks you could try them 1 at a time in different slots to find if one is dead

might also be worth listing your specs, some1 on here might have an idea of a fix for you
 
Basically whats happening is my pc is turning on for about 5 seconds and then before it can post it just turns off. The motherboard is fine as ive had it send to gigabyte for testing. Most people have said its probs not the motherboard. I just cant think what it is.
 
The pc shouldnt be able to post without ram. I believe its also dependent on the motherboard whether it will throw out a beep error code.

  • What motherboard do you have?
  • Have you tried running with just 1 ram stick in slot 1 with all other devices unplugged (cd rom / hard disc etc).
  • Was the pc ever overclocked or any changes made in Bios? If so then you might want to reset cmos before trying much else.
 
sorry my technical knowlege is'nt of the greatest yet (dont worry im working on it ha ha) but what do you mean by "cpu cache" ?? any ideas on how I could fix ?? thanks buddy
 
The pc shouldnt be able to post without ram. I believe its also dependent on the motherboard whether it will throw out a beep error code.
What motherboard do you have?
Have you tried running with just 1 ram stick in slot 1 with all other devices unplugged (cd rom / hard disc etc).
Was the pc ever overclocked or any changes made in Bios? If so then you might want to reset cmos before trying much else.
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I Have a gigabyte MA780G-UD3H, the thing is, everything has eben working fine until I have recently transported the PC to a new location. The only thing ive ever overclocked is the GPU - but thats always been stable. - and before I sent it of for testing I did a CMOS reset but still the same problem occurs.
 
grifgrif1 said:
sorry my technical knowlege is'nt of the greatest yet (dont worry im working on it ha ha) but what do you mean by "cpu cache" ?? any ideas on how I could fix ?? thanks buddy
Click to expand...

Well the others are probably right, but computers never used to have RAM. They used to run off CPU Cache, which still exists today in a more advanced form. Depending your CPU you'll have L1 (Level 1) Cache, which is a small amount, something like 64kb, L2 cache which is a few MB and sometimes L3 cache which is up to 12MB at current i believe.

This wiki quote explains it nicely:

Multi-level caches generally operate by checking the smallest Level 1 (L1) cache first; if it hits, the processor proceeds at high speed. If the smaller cache misses, the next larger cache (L2) is checked, and so on, before external memory is checked.
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When 'external memory' is RAM. Of course, you couldn't use any OS much more advanced than early DOS systems but it's theoretically possible to POST.
 
Is there a speaker connected to the motherboard? This would help by throwing up some beep codes.

Is the motherboard bolted to the brass risers before bolting in the case, as this could be a shorting issue.
It will not post without RAM and CPU. It could post without the graphics, but you would not know (unless it is onboard). Try one stick of ram in the first slot.

Are all the power cables connected to the motherboard? Minimum is the 24 Pin ATX and the 4/8 pin P4 connector that is closest to the CPU.

Could you show some pics of the motherboard in the case please?
Does it align correctly with the backplate?
 
PhillyDee said:
Are all the power cables connected to the motherboard? Minimum is the 24 Pin ATX and the 4/8 pin P4 connector that is closest to the CPU.
Click to expand...

yea double check this and make sure they are firmly in place. also you say the problem occurred after you moved it to a new location, any chance something could have come loose and fallen between the motherboard and case to cause a short?
 
Minimum requirements to get to POST are:
CPU
RAM
Graphics

If either RAM or graphics are broken you should get a beep code (varies by BIOS manufacturer).
 
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