Computer problem...

[Skid]

My other computer when I turn it on will beep 3 or 4 times and sounds like the fan is running at high speed. The monitor says its not receiving any signal and the fan is really loud. Any ideas what happened or what I need to look for?

[Owen]

That is typically a sign of the bios not loading. Probable mother board failure. You might check the power supply voltages for +5, +12 and - 12. Just my 2 cents worth...

[Bloodbought1]

Sounds like my Dell.....We suspected the motherboard.....Got another PC.

[frogmaster]

If it is a laptop power down, pull the battery and boot up again.

 

Here is a GREAT place to get used PCs and Laptops http://www.dfsdirectsales.com

[Squidley]

Or you can be like Walts (Wes0778) avitar with the Duck and the big sledge hammer

[ddoggma]

Its something with the videocard, I think. Make sure everything is plugged in tight. It could also be bad or dirty and over heating. Good luck. I have video cards if you just need a basic card.

[BuddyRich]

Short or long beeps. Check this page

 

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-on_self-test

[elag]

This is for Intel motherboards. But most brands use the same code.

 

 

This document gives troubleshooting tips for when you hear beep codes and your desktop board does not boot up successfully.

 

You are getting 1, 2, or 3 beeps that indicate a memory failure.

 

1 beep - Refresh Error (with nothing on the screen and it is not a video problem)

 

2 beeps - Parity Error

 

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 memory modules 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.
  
• If the steps above do not resolve the problem, the desktop board may be defective. Try a different desktop board.
  

You are getting 4 beeps indicating a timer not operational:

• Check for foreign objects such as screws that may ground the desktop board and make sure that screws that hold the motherboard are not too tight.
  
• Try a different desktop board.
  

You are getting 5 beeps indicating a processor error:

• Check for foreign objects such as screws that may ground the desktop board and make sure the screws that hold the board are not too tight.
  
• Make sure the processor is seated properly.
  
• Try a different processor.
  
• Remove the desktop board from the chassis and reinstall it.
  
• If the steps above do not resolve the problem, the desktop board may be defective. Try a different desktop board.
  

You are getting 6 beeps indicating 8042 - gate A20 failure:

• Check for foreign objects such as screws that may ground the desktop board and make sure the screws that hold the motherboard are not too tight.
  
• Try a different keyboard.
  
• Try a different processor.
  

You are getting 7 beeps indicating processor exception interrupt error

• Make sure the processor is seated properly.
  
• Try a different processor.
  
• Try a different desktop board.
  

You are getting 8 beeps indicating display memory read/write failure

• Make sure that you have a video card on your system.
  
• If possible, swap the memory on the video card.
  
• Try a different video card.
  
• Try a different desktop board.
  

You are getting 9 beeps indicating ROM checksum error

• Try reflashing the system BIOS.
  
• If possible, try reseating the system BIOS chip.
  
• Try a different desktop board.
  

You are getting 10 beeps indicating CMOS shutdown register read/write error

• Try a different desktop board.
  

You are getting 11 beeps indicating cache memory bad

• Make sure the system is configured properly (CMOS Setup Program and jumpers on the board) for the RAM cache.
  
• If possible, replace the RAM cache.
  
• Try a different processor.
  
• Try a different desktop board.
  

[KB2RWW]

My other computer when I turn it on will beep 3 or 4 times and sounds like the fan is running at high speed. The monitor says its not receiving any signal and the fan is really loud. Any ideas what happened or what I need to look for?

 

 

The beep's could indicate a processor failed. you will need to find out which fan is loud if it is evan the fan, I have had CD/DVD Roms spin up to the point that it was going to explode.

Your loud fan could be on the processor, I have had a couple of old Dell's retainer clip that holds the heat-sink and CPU on to the board go bad allowing them to fall off. you want to check and make sure they are on there tite.

 

If it did brake parts are still available.

 

[Skid]

Thanks everyone, its up and running fine now, but at least I know what to start looking or listening for next time....

It is a Dell desk top

[stardbog]

Buy a Apple Mac, Still no viruses and BS. and whatever you imagine you wanna do with computer Mac will do even better and faster.

[Monty]

No viruses as of yet....give it time. The hackers will go after Macs soon enough.

 

 

 

 

Skid, what did you do to get it working, or did it just start working ok all of a sudden?

[Skid]

Skid, what did you do to get it working, or did it just start working ok all of a sudden?

I turned it off a while and it came back on by itself....

This makes the second times it happened, next time I going inside......

[Bummer]

I turned it off a while and it came back on by itself....

This makes the second times it happened, next time I going inside......

Do you have a backup of your data? If not, make one now. Do not turn the box off first. Make the backup while it's still on.

 

I use an external USB hard drive (two actually, each with it's own copy) and dump everything I care about onto it periodically. I do not back up the OS itself in this manner.

 

While it is possible to get data off of a drive once the box has died, it can be a pain. Easier to do it ahead of time.

[Skid]

I opened up the computer and unplugged two long cards about 4 inches long. I wiped them off then plugged then back in. So far everything is working good again....