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Start up problem


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#1
Simmy

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Hi All,

Someone please help, this is doing my head in!

I went to start my PC the other week and when I switched on the power I got a long repeating beeping sound and it wouldnt boot up.
I initially thought memory problem so I removed the memory stick and tried another. Still did the same thing so I tried all the mem slots and three different memory sticks, still no luck.
So I downloaded the motherboard manual and had a look through this. This said it was a memory problem :whistling:
I tried taking the graphics card out and other hardware and turning it on and it still beeped. So I asked the IT technician at work who said it was my motherboard.
I bought a new motherboard, fitted it and it still did it. So I resetted cmos by taking the battery out of the motherboard and moving the jumper across. When I tried to boot it up it started. I was sooooooo relieved. Then I tried to boot it up the next day and it started beping again.

Does anyone have any idea what it could be?

Simmy
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#2
warriorscot

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You can check the memory for faults using a program called memtest86 on any system the ram will go in safely, the mobo beeping is a good thing as it shows that the board is probably functional, what we need to continue with troubleshooting is a full set of system specs, and what is the power rating of your PSU and make.
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#3
Simmy

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My System:

AMD Athlon 2000XP
768MB DDR PC266 MEM
80GB H/D
60GB H/D
Sony CD/RW
DVD/RW
Hercules 3D prophet 64mb graphics card
ASUS A7S333 mobo

Thanks

Simmy
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#4
Dockboy

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Hi,

I read about you getting a beep sound at startup, so I instantly thought beep codes:

Beep Code Descriptions
1 short - DRAM refresh failure
2 short - Parity circuit failure
3 short - Base 64K RAM failure
4 short - System timer failure
5 short - Process failure
6 short - Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
7 short - Virtual mode exception error
8 short - Display memory Read/Write test failure
9 short - ROM BIOS checksum failure
10 short - CMOS shutdown Read/Write error
11 short - Cache Memory error
1 long, 3 short - Conventional/Extended memory failure
1 long, 8 short - Display/Retrace test failed

Match your beep up to the appropriate code, and that's your problem. Of course, you may already know this, but I figured it would be better to throw out an idea then to just sit there and watch.

Cheers:)

Edited by Dockboy, 27 April 2006 - 12:09 PM.

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#5
warriorscot

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Beep codes arent standard depends on the bios in use on the motherboard they change from board to board and bios to bios, if its for that board though its fine just keep in my mind they may not be the correct codes.

The manual SHOULD have the beep codes in it, but it might not, the asus website should have it in the download section just pick the right options from the menu.
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#6
Dockboy

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Good point scot,

Here's the site I nabbed those from:

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

It lists the different beep codes for different systems. You should be to find yours in there. Of course then there always is Google.

And I just found this too:

"In testing computer components on and off for the last three to four years, I find that almost all motherboards adhere to the IBM BIOS standard beep codes... I think a few OEM's have developed their own or use Phoenix or AMI beep codes, but for the most part motherboard manufacturers uses the IBM based ones because they are grandfathered in."

Cheers:)

Edited by Dockboy, 27 April 2006 - 12:25 PM.

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#7
Simmy

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Thanks a lot for the advice guys!

I will check out the beeps tomorrow and hopefully got to the bottom of it.

:whistling:

Simmy
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#8
Simmy

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Hi,

Just tried booting the pc up again to find out the beep code.
The beeps continue and do not stop.
I counted 30 before I switched it off.
So the above codes do not give me any more of an idea...
The beeps last about 3 secons and just continue.
The only thing I can think it could be now is the cpu.
Any thoughts on this?

Simmy
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#9
HaraldR

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Hi.
Try connecting just,cpu ,mobo and mem and or(graphics) you should hear just one beep if all ok
according to asus A7V8X manual(the S wouldn't be too different):

One short beep when displayig logo= No error during POST
long beeps in an endless loop = No DRAM installed or detected
One Long beep followed by 3 short beeps= Video card not found or Video memory bad
High frequency beeps when system working= CPU Overheating/system running at a lower frequncy

Given you changed mobo,etc I would suspect power supply,cheers :whistling:
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#10
Simmy

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HaroldR,

Changed the power supply and it now seems fine :whistling:
Thanks a lot...

Got another problem now though :blink:
I have added a second h/d and when it tries booting up I get a message saying "hard disk failure, insert system disk"
I have tried another h/d so I know the h/d isnt broke. I have also tried swapping the ide leads from the cd-rom but still get the same.

When I remove the aditional h/d it boots up fine.

Simmy
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#11
doire

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Check the way you have set up the two hard drives. Check the jumpers on them. Make sure one is master and one is salve.

Edited by doire, 10 May 2006 - 09:00 AM.

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#12
Simmy

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Cool,

Sorted it.

Thanks for all the help guys.
It is very much appreciated.

:whistling: :blink: :help:

Simmy
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