Computer beeps but does not work....

[TIGN]

HELP! Anyone know how fix this? My windows XP desktop was not used for a
couple of months. Turned it on now and nothing happens except for a beeping
sound about once a minute. The monitor stays blank and none of the monitor
indicator lights change color or status. I have cycled the computer power a
few times with no improvement. I need to access the hard drive to get last
years tax information printed onto paper.

More precise description...When power button is pushed, the fan comes on,
the computer beeps about every 15 seconds, and the hard drive spins up. Then
nothing else new happens. It just keeps running and beeping.

 

[Leythos]

HELP! Anyone know how fix this? My windows XP desktop was not used for a
couple of months. Turned it on now and nothing happens except for a beeping
sound about once a minute. The monitor stays blank and none of the monitor
indicator lights change color or status. I have cycled the computer power a
few times with no improvement. I need to access the hard drive to get last
years tax information printed onto paper.

More precise description...When power button is pushed, the fan comes on,
the computer beeps about every 15 seconds, and the hard drive spins up. Then
nothing else new happens. It just keeps running and beeping.

Basic diagnostic process is to check all external cable connections,
then all internal connections - remove them, reconnect them. reset
memory and all add-in cards.

If that fails, disconnect all internal devices except the video card,
what happens?

If you see video, connect the hard-drive, what happens?

If you get it to boot, shutdown, connect CD/DVD drives, what happens?

If that works, connect external devices (USB/Parallel) and see what
happens....

 

[Jose]

HELP! Anyone know how fix this? My windows XP desktop was not used for a
couple of months. Turned it on now and nothing happens except for a beeping
sound about once a minute. The monitor stays blank and none of the monitor
indicator lights change color or status. I have cycled the computer powera
few times with no improvement. I need to access the hard drive to get last
years tax information printed onto paper.

More precise description...When power button is pushed, the fan comes on,
the computer beeps about every 15 seconds, and the hard drive spins up. Then
nothing else new happens. It just keeps running and beeping.

My old school tells me that beeps mean something. I do not feel like
rebooting my computer to see what my beeps sound like, but they have a
meaning and it relates to the motherboard. It is trying to tell you
something is wrong. I used to know everybody's beep codes.

If you can figure out your MB or BIOS name (when it tries to boot) use
Google for help. My friend has a PC Chips BIOS or something, so I
searched for: pc chips beep codes

Here is a page that is generally refreshing, interesting and has some
ideas. It may not apply to your situation. I would say that this is
probably not a good thing for you, but maybe you can fix it yourself
with nothing more than a screwdriver.

http://webpages.charter.net/dperr/beepcode.htm

 

[Gerry]

Adding your BEEP codes link to my favourites. Thanks Jose.





Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[TIGN]

Thanks Leythos and Jose. It is working now! Lead by your suggestions, I
opened the case (1st time ever for me!) and determinded motherboard
manufacturer. Then goggled the beep codes for that manufacturer; Continuous
beeps meant memory problem. I removed and replaced the memory card, hooked
up the power, pushed the on button, and it started perfectly!

I could not have done it without your help! Thanks!

TIGN

 

[Jose]

Thanks Leythos and Jose.  It is working now! Lead by your suggestions, I
opened the case (1st time ever for me!) and determinded motherboard
manufacturer. Then goggled the beep codes for that manufacturer; Continuous
beeps meant memory problem.  I removed and replaced the memory card, hooked
up the power, pushed the on button, and it started perfectly!

I could not have done it without your help!  Thanks!

TIGN

Well, shut my mouth.

Now there is another guy that can't get started in another post and I
can't even get him to say if his computer beeps or not. People are
saying unhook, disconnect, reconnect, unplug everything, plug it back
in 3 times - heck, just tell me if it beeps and what it sounds like!

Seems like a simple question, but it means so much to me...

No answer yet.

Yippee for you!