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IPL Error


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#1
robert.wiechert

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I have a friend who has an issue with their PC, it's running Windows XP Home. It boots into Windows sometimes, and other times it will show a Error IPL message as follows:

Press Enter to select IPL Device
ESC to Exit
CD-ROM Floppy Drive (A:)
Hard Drive (C:)


I have even pressed Esc to exit in hopes of loading the OS, but nothing happens, it just beeps constantly.
My question is can this be a MBR issue and can be fixed using the Recovery Console, or is this something else?
I have worked on many computers, and never seen this error. I have Googled it, but not the results I'm looking for comes up.
If anyone out there knows what this is I would really appreciate it. I can't find the solution.

Edited by robert.wiechert, 01 September 2009 - 06:53 PM.

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#2
Broni

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IPL Device - An Initial Program Load Device is any device in the system that can boot and load an OS

Instead of pressing Esc, select "Hard Drive (C:)".
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#3
robert.wiechert

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IPL Device - An Initial Program Load Device is any device in the system that can boot and load an OS

Instead of pressing Esc, select "Hard Drive (C:)".

I have tried to select the HDD, but nothing happens but constant beeps.
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#4
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Is it a constant beep, or some pattern?
When do those beeps start? Right after powering it up?
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#5
rshaffer61

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How to Interpret Computer Error Beep Codes

When the computer makes those funny sound via the system speaker, it's not doing it because it wants to be heard.
The computer is trying to talk to the operator/technician and tell them what's wrong.

Beep Codes:

No Beeps: Short, No power, Bad CPU/MB, Loose Peripherals

One Beep: Everything is normal and Computer Posted fine

Two Beeps: POST/CMOS Error

One Long Beep, One Short Beep: Motherboard Problem

One Long Beep, Two Short Beeps: Video Problem

One Long Beep, Three Short Beeps: Video Problem

Three Long Beeps: Keyboard Error

Repeated Long Beeps: Memory Error

Continuous Hi-Lo Beeps: CPU Overheating
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#6
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Those beep codes are different, depending on BIOS type.
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#7
rshaffer61

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:) :)
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#8
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LOL
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#9
robert.wiechert

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Is it a constant beep, or some pattern?
When do those beeps start? Right after powering it up?

Right after I try to select the HDD. Continuous beeps.
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#10
robert.wiechert

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How to Interpret Computer Error Beep Codes

When the computer makes those funny sound via the system speaker, it's not doing it because it wants to be heard.
The computer is trying to talk to the operator/technician and tell them what's wrong.

Beep Codes:

No Beeps: Short, No power, Bad CPU/MB, Loose Peripherals

One Beep: Everything is normal and Computer Posted fine

Two Beeps: POST/CMOS Error

One Long Beep, One Short Beep: Motherboard Problem

One Long Beep, Two Short Beeps: Video Problem

One Long Beep, Three Short Beeps: Video Problem

Three Long Beeps: Keyboard Error

Repeated Long Beeps: Memory Error

Continuous Hi-Lo Beeps: CPU Overheating

It can't be the CPU, because, sometimes the system will boot into Windows desktop and will run just fine.
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#11
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1. A. If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-2.11.iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:

Posted Image

8. Locate memtest86+-2.11.iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:

Posted Image

10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run.

The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:


Posted Image

It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.

Posted Image

The following image is the test results area:

Posted Image

The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.



2. Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.
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#12
robert.wiechert

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1. A. If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-2.11.iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:

Posted Image

8. Locate memtest86+-2.11.iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:

Posted Image

10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run.

The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:


Posted Image

It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.

Posted Image

The following image is the test results area:

Posted Image

The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.



2. Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

I have the program, I'll try that and let ya know what happened.
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#13
Broni

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OK.
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#14
robert.wiechert

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Well I checked all the RAM using UBCD with memtest86 on it, all RAM is ok. So out of curiosity I rebooted the system after memtest completed the last test, and it booted straight into Windows with no problems. Then I rebooted into Safe Mode no problem. So I told my friend to leave the system on for a bit. I'm sure that the issue will re-occur after a cold boot. Would this mean that a data cable is bad, or possible failing HDD, or corrupt MBR.
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#15
Broni

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Did you actually"

If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.


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