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Computer making noise

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Chacco, 2007/09/01.

  1. 2007/09/01
    Chacco

    Chacco Inactive Thread Starter

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    When I turn my computer on, it makes a beeping noise for about 5 sec and then quits for 5 seconds, beeps for 5 seconds and keeps going on like that. Nothing shows on the monitor. Everything looks like it is plugged in inside. Any Ideas? Also it will not turn off, I have to unplug it or use the switch at the back.
     
    Last edited: 2007/09/01
    Chacco,
    #1
  2. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    The BIOS is sending you a fault message - check out these beep codes for your BIOS .....

    BIOS Beep Codes
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2007/09/01
    Whiskeyman Lifetime Subscription

    Whiskeyman Inactive Alumni

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    Open it up and check for dust buildup on the fan(s) and heatsink. It could be warning you of an overheating problem.
     
    Whiskeyman,
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  5. 2007/09/01
    Chacco

    Chacco Inactive Thread Starter

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    I unplugged it, didn't seem too bad for dust. blew it out anyways. I plugged it back in and it quit beeping, still nothing on the monitor. I hit the reset button and the beeping started all over again. There is a little red LED that is on inside, on the board it says "STBY LED" if that is of any value.
     
    Chacco,
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  6. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Have you checked the make of BIOS and tried to decipher the code???
     
    PeteC,
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  7. 2007/09/01
    Chacco

    Chacco Inactive Thread Starter

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    How do I find the make of the BIOS? It just continously beeps, for 5 seconds and then is quiet for 5 seconds. It has been doing that for 10 minutes now, the noise is irritating so I shut it off. lol
     
    Chacco,
    #6
  8. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If you don't have a manual open the case and read the label on the BIOS chip - ~1" long x ~1/2" wide with a row of contacts down each side. May be soldered to the board or plugged into a holder. Generally situated at the opposite end of the board to the CPU and memory slots.

    You are looking for AMI (American Megatrends International), Phoenix or Award I would think.
     
    PeteC,
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  9. 2007/09/01
    Chacco

    Chacco Inactive Thread Starter

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    Not sure where it is, but I will give you the names of what I see in there . "SIS ", "A OPEN ", "Winbond ", and "Phoenix BIOS ". The Phoenis BIOS is a tiny one, maybe 1/2 x 1/2 inch.
     
    Chacco,
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  10. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Ok - it's a Phoenix BIOS

    You will now need to identify the sequencing of the beeps .....

    Example: 1 - 1 - 2 would sound like BEEP <pause> BEEP <pause> BEEP BEEP

    On that basis the 5 beep codes for a Phoenix BIOS are .....

    1 - 1 - 3 CMOS read/write failure Bad motherboard

    1 - 2 - 2 DMA failure Bad motherboard

    1 - 3 - 1 Memory refresh failure Bad memory

    2 - 1 - 2 64K memory failure Bad memory

    2 - 2 - 1 64K memory failure Bad memory

    3 - 1 - 1 Slave DMA failure Bad motherboard

    Are you able to identify the pattern of the beeps?

    Are the beeps the same beep that you hear when the computer boots normally - a single beep shortly after powering up?
     
    PeteC,
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  11. 2007/09/01
    Chacco

    Chacco Inactive Thread Starter

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    It just beeps, for 5 seconds and then stops, beeps for 5 sec and then stops. It will do that all day if I let it. Same amount of time between beeps, same amount of time for beeping
     
    Chacco,
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  12. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    The pauses may be too brief to identify the code - let's check what we can - memory as this is a possible .....

    Download and run (from floppy or CD on boot) either or both of Windows Memory Diagnostic or Memtest

    If the software fails to run the problem may be terminal, but try that first.
     
    PeteC,
    #11
  13. 2007/09/01
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni

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    Chacco, BIOS is talking to you. We need the NUMBER of beeps during the 5 second time span (then pause, cycle repeats).
     
    Dennis L,
    #12
  14. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Thanks, Dennis - my brain crashed - read 5 secs as 5 beeps :(
     
    PeteC,
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