Compaq EP 550 takes 10 - 20 tries to boot up

[Nigel Mason]

My Compaq DeskPro EP 550 has just decided that it won't boot up when I
switch on the power. Instead it usually emits three sharp beeps, then
pauses then three more beeps....then does nothing !
I can hear the hard disk spinning, and fan motor is working.
So I switch off and keep trying, and after 10 or 20 on-off cycles it
boot sup as if nothing was wrong, and then works perfectly fo rthe
whole evening.

I wonder if the sequence of beeps is an error message ?
Any idea what could be wrong ?
(I have removed the side panel and checked the seating of all the
boards)

 

[philo]

My Compaq DeskPro EP 550 has just decided that it won't boot up when I
switch on the power. Instead it usually emits three sharp beeps, then
pauses then three more beeps....then does nothing !
I can hear the hard disk spinning, and fan motor is working.
So I switch off and keep trying, and after 10 or 20 on-off cycles it
boot sup as if nothing was wrong, and then works perfectly fo rthe
whole evening.

I wonder if the sequence of beeps is an error message ?
Any idea what could be wrong ?
(I have removed the side panel and checked the seating of all the
boards)

you may want to check the manual (s/b avail online if you don't have it) to
see what those
error codes mean...
but most of the time the error codes are video or RAM related.

just open your machine up and unplug and replug
your video card and RAM...
while you are there you might as well check all the conncetions

 

[Nigel Mason]

Just wanted to say thanks for the guidance. I got the description of
the error codes from www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes and identified a
pbm with the Video board.
A search on eBay and a successful bid resulted in purchasing a
replacement AGP Video Card for £3.20 ...delivered and installed today
.. hey presto, the PC works fine again!
Thanks for a great interactive practical Forum.