Will a system run BIOS without ram?

[crazybeans]

Hey all,


I am in the process of purchasing a new computer. I currently have the case, motherboard (ASUS P4P800-E Deluxe), P4 2.8Ghz 800mhz FSB, Video Card (GeForce FX 5700), No RAM, No HDDs, No FDs and a PSU. With these components I would like to check to make sure my current equipment is actually working, i.e. the CPU. When I hook it all up and turn on the system, with the video card installed, I get the audio POST beeps (1 long, 2 short) indicating video failure. I am wondering if this is because I do not have the ram installed yet? The video card is supported by the motherboard which uses 1.5v AGP 3.0 so I don't know why it's not working. Any help will be greatly appriciated, thanks in advance!

 

[NoodleKnight]

No, BIOS will not run without ram, from what I've experienced.

 

[GameGURU]

I dont think you can start the pc up with no ram, and no hd

 

[Apokalipse]

the RAM is where everything is 'loaded' and without it having the capacity to load things, not even the BIOS will run

 

[crazybeans]

Thanks, I thought it was the RAM, although I'm pretty sure the one long, two short is a video failure. I'll just wait on the RAM to come in. I thought that the onboard memory might be enough to load the BIOS considering it's only around a megabyte. Guess I was wrong

 

[crazybeans]

Just to clear that last post up. A memory error is continuous beeps. I believe since the video card check is the first to take place during POST that would explain the (1 long, 2 short) video card beeps. Man I hate being on a budget

 

[Apokalipse]

is the video card seated correctly, and the monitor cable is put in right?
it's always the little things that cause the biggest problems

 

[crazybeans]

yeah, I even tried another video card that I know works as well. It is either the motherboard AGP slot or possibly the RAM as we discussed earlier. Hoping when I slap some RAM in there it will all be good.