EggXpert

Hello,

 I've got an Intel DP35DP Motherboard that had PQI 4GB PC4200 RAM that was running at 667MHZ. I added 4GB more RAM Kingston Hyper-X that was PC-5200 running at 800MHZ, and after installing it, i got no video and 3 beeps. So i took out the new RAM and then it booted fine. So I went into the BIOS and manually set memory speed at 800MHZ, and it still would not recognize the new RAM. Then I put the old memory back, but now all i get is the 3 beeps and no video, so I can't even get to the BIOS to reset it. I've tried moving the jumper cable to config, took the MB battery out and left it out for like 30 minutes, but still nothing, the monitor shows no signal. What can I do?? What is the connection between the video card and RAM?Should I replace the motherboard? I'm really at a loss as to what to do. Thanks!!

It was unplugged and the power switch pushed to discharge the capacitors before you took the battery out?

I don't think this will correct your problem, but plugged in power supplies, even when turned off suppl a trickle of voltage to the motherboard on ATX12V systems (which are most now-a-days).  Also stored electricity in the capacitors can keep the CMOS memory.  Pushing the power button after the system is unplugged but before you start poking around inside the system can help discharge them [you may even see the CPU fan spin momentarily]. 

I will post my thoughts in a bit, but the first would be to install a single stick from the known good ram (old) and see if it boots. If it does, enter your BIOS and make sure it is set to automatic or 667Mhz on the memory.

Well the sad truth is your faster memory wouldn't really result in much improvement in speed...but it sure is cheap memory.  Looking at the Intel specs and the Hyper-X specs it should work.  As to why your old memory won't work, after resetting your CMOS, I do not know.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/dp35dp/

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/dp35dp/sb/CS-026645.htm

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-010254.htm

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-010249.htm

3 beeps - Base 64 K memory failure

• Reseat the memory.
• Make sure that the contacts on the memory and the socket are clean.
• Try removing one bank of memory modules at a time. Note: Some systems might need to have a memory module in Bank 0.
• Try using RAM chips from the same manufacturer with the same part number and speed.
• Check for a faulty memory module by trying the memory in a known good system.
• Trying known good memory in the system.
• Check the power supply and check for power fluctuations.
• Swap the motherboard.

 Like I said earlier, try rebooting with only a single stick of ram. If it doesn't work remove it and try a different single stick in a new channel.  You don't say whether you have a 4 x 1G or a 2 x 2G arrangement.  Linking to the actual Newegg product would be helpful.  But they all seem to fall into the 1.8V and CAS 5 or 6 range so it should work.

Make sure you have reseated the memory correctly...I have had trouble with this with DDR2 memory not seating correctly.  3 beeps is definitely a cry of not liking the memory. 

 Here is the release notes for the latest BIOS.  I do not feel like reading, but they may have stabilized your faster ram using a BIOS update since your computer's BIOS version was installed.  If so and you get your computer up and going with the old ram, you can update your BIOS and give it another try.  If you are using a 4 x 1G setup for the new ram (unfortunate), and the BIOS allows you to bump up the chipset voltage a notch (usually 0.1V) do so and see if this helps ... Intel motherboards rarely allow this.  Just as the normal recommendation would be to bump up the ram voltage to 1.9V, but clearly your BIOS does not allow this.

If you cannot get a single stick of old memory to work and you are sure they are absolutely well seated, and you have been unable to enter your BIOS menu after resetting the CMOS, there may be some component of your motherboard that was close to failing that the increased speed memory stress popped a trace.   That is a problem with older equipment being upgraded to its hottest CPU and RAM. 

Thanks for the response, I did try with one stick of the old RAM but it did not boot at all, just the 3 beeps. I've taken out the motherboard battery and unplugged it from the wall and left it unplugged for about 25 minutes, but still no response. If only i was able to get to the BIOS, i'd be able to reset it.