[xntryk1]

Dead computer with no picture on monitor. Plug the power cord in and you get: 3 short beeps, short pause, 3 short beeps, longer pause, 3 short beeps, short pause, 3 short beeps (and then it stops). Any ideas? Bad memory? Bad (onboard) video? I have no idea which BIOS it has. Any help great appreciated!

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    xntryk1,

 

Possibly bad memory, try removing all Ram and then powering up the computer to see if the beep pattern changes.

 

NB: The stock computer has an integrated video chip which also uses system memory.

 

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[phillpower2]

    xntryk1,

 

Possibly bad memory, try removing all Ram and then powering up the computer to see if the beep pattern changes.

 

NB: The stock computer has an integrated video chip which also uses system memory.

 

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[xntryk1]

After pulling the one 4GB memory stick, the beep turns into one long never-ending beeeeeeeeeeeeep...

[phillpower2]

With the computer disconnected from the wall socket, remove the MBs CMOS battery, press the case power button for 20 to 30 seconds, reseat the Ram securely, check that all internal connections and any add on cards are secure, replace the CMOS battery and test.

 

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[xntryk1]

Now we're back to the "3 short beeps, longer pause, 3 short beeps" except it doesn't stop. It just keeps on going with that sequence.

 

I also tried replacing the CMOS battery with at known good one = no change.

[phillpower2]

Please try the memory stick in the other slot.

 

Do you have an add on video card, if yes, remove it and try the MBs integrated video port.

 

If you are using a USB type keyboard but also have a wired PS/2 type keyboard available try swapping them.

 

If the problem remains after trying the above a bad MB or PSU need to be considered as possible causes.

 

BIOS beep codes

[xntryk1]

Tried the memory stick in the other slot. Here's what happened: "3 short beeps, longer pause, 3 short beeps, computer restarts" It did that four times. Then the beeping stopped and the computer stayed on.

 

Everything seems to be getting power. Fans, power button, DVD, hard drive.

 

There are no add-on cards at all. Although I'm wishing I had a video card, so I could bypass the onboard video, if that's the problem.

 

Hadn't gotten around to hooking up any keyboard or mouse, as the dead screen made that seem moot. 

 

Those BIOS beep codes seem to indicate a possible memory problem. Which also makes me wish I had a spare (good) module to try out. But I don't.

[phillpower2]

Tried the memory stick in the other slot. Here's what happened: "3 short beeps, longer pause, 3 short beeps, computer restarts" It did that four times. Then the beeping stopped and the computer stayed on.

 

 

Everything seems to be getting power. Fans, power button, DVD, hard drive.

 

 

Did the computer actually boot up or just stay running but with no display.

 

Hadn't gotten around to hooking up any keyboard or mouse, as the dead screen made that seem moot. 

 

 

The keyboard is tested as part of the POST (power on self test) and if the keyboard is in some way bad the computer will not boot, if a wired PS/2 type keyboard is tried and the problem remains it comes back to the Ram stick/memory slot, please note that some MBs will not boot unless there is Ram in memory slot 1/Al meaning that it could still be the memory stick that is bad.

[xntryk1]

Right, it just stayed 'running' (fans, power button, DVD) with no display. 

 

I've ordered a new memory stick. I'll report back after I try that. Thanks. 

[phillpower2]

My sincerest of apologies for the late reply, my router went out and my ISP (SKY) would not connect any new device unless it was purchased from them and while it was fast  for the holiday period it has taken a few days to arrive 

 

Please advise as to where you are up to with this and once again my apologies.

[xntryk1]

No worries. I'm still waiting to receive the new memory stick that I ordered 4 days ago. If/when that ever arrives, I'll try it out post the results. Thanks. 

[phillpower2]

Thank you for your understanding xntryk1, much appreciated 

 

Will wait on your next update as and when the new Ram arrives 

[xntryk1]

New memory stick didn't help. Still have the exact same"3 short beeps, longer pause, 3 short beeps, computer restarts".

 

I guess it's most sincerely dead. Probably the motherboard... 

[phillpower2]

New memory stick didn't help. Still have the exact same"3 short beeps, longer pause, 3 short beeps, computer restarts".

 

 

Was this the same with both slots.

 

I guess it's most sincerely dead. Probably the motherboard...  

 

 

Possibly the integrated video chip.

 

Have you tried a wired PS/2 type keyboard yet, this needs to be done as a bad keyboard can prevent a computer from booting.

 

Does the computer still beep continually when there is no Ram in either slot, if yes, it suggests that the problem is after the Ram and possibly the video chip.

[xntryk1]

Wow, it's going from bad to worse. When I first tried the new RAM in either slot, I got exactly the same response - "3 short beeps, longer pause, 3 short beeps, computer restarts. It did that four times. Then the beeping stopped and the computer stayed on."

 

But just now when I was going to test both PS/2 and USB keyboards, it doesn't even beep anymore. And the power button light doesn't come on, even though it still seems to work (turns the power on/off). And that's with or without keyboards plugged in. Still zero on the monitor. It's like something fried the beeps AND the power button light. Meanwhile, all the fans keep running and the hard drive still spins...