PC wont boot after installing new GPU, abnormal beep codes.

Sh3rw1n

Commendable
Jul 2, 2016
20
0
1,510
Hi, helped my friend install a new graphics card, a Zotac GTX 1050 ti mini in his pre built acer desktop. case couldnt fit so i transferred his components to another spare hp case. His computer came with a GT 620. so i installed everything in the new case and powered it on. i got a long beep and 2 short beeps. this pattern will continue to cycle until i press the power button to turn it off. tried installing the old GT 620 and it managed to boot. i tried installing it back with the 1050 ti but had no luck. I also used the new (office spare) case's power supply which is 300W compared to 200+ watt in the original case. so i think power isnt an issue. Could it be the BIOS? i dont want to flash the bios unnecessarily as there is a risk in it unless it indeed might be a bios issue. could it be the graphic card being faulty? his CPU is a i5 3470 and his desktop is an Acer Aspire X3995. Please helpme and my friend out, thanks!
 
Solution
1 long + 2 short is a VGA error:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/445231/Acer-Aspire-X3950.html?page=74

So, in this instance JM is likely right that the BIOS does not support newer GPU's. That being said, if you have a BIOS update available, I would try that first of all.

As for the limited PCIe power, while it's true these pre-builts do not need to conform, most actually do.

It's likely worth reaching out to Acer directly (via their forums as linked) to better understand if their BIOS is locked down, or whether it requires an update (and if one is coming).
heres my guess - acers proprietary bios don't support these cards if you think theres a newer bios that may add that support you maybe stuck to flash it and see ? HP and DELL are pretty good at admitting this on some of there models and what cards may or may not work , but acer ????

my disclaimer

some models of store bought computers [dell.hp,acer,ect..] may come with a ''locked or fixed'' bios and may not allow you to change certain hardware as a video card.. this is done to protect them from undue warranty claims and refunds .this is not done to hurt you but to protect them. you really need to see if that upgrade has been proven to work in your model first before you invest money in it .. there are a lot of these threads here at toms to look at some models will allow upgrades and some dont.. and a lot of guys here say ya ya ya when is really no no no...it would be sad you spent $200 on a card that wount post after you installed it as most find out. then get told its your psu and you spend more and end up right back where you are now, but its up to you good luck..


you got to know the the boards in these computers are not like the ones we use to do custom builds witch are open to upgrading with in the boards compatibly . the bios is custom made for there design and just for the parts they authorize to be used on there computers there only guaranteed to work as is out of the box as you bought it ,..


also these boards do not have to meet atx standards and there pci-e slot power may not do the required 75w needed for most higher end cards and can be limited to say 45 or 60w that is all thats needed with the low end factory oem cards that it may of shipped with

in the end any upgrade you do is all your own risk . the prebuilt manufactures only guarantees there computers work as sold to you as is out of the box from there factory with what they put on it , not a drop more

there in busness to sell you whole ready to go computers , and dont worry about you upgrading them or giving you support to do so . thats not how they make there money they prefer you run to wal-mart and buy there ''better'' latest models
some models of store bought computers [dell.hp,acer,ect..] may come with a ''locked or fixed'' bios and may not allow you to change certain hardware as a video card.. this is done to protect them from undue warranty claims and refunds .this is not done to hurt you but to protect them. you really need to see if that upgrade has been proven to work in your model first before you invest money in it .. there are a lot of these threads here at toms to look at some models will allow upgrades and some dont.. and a lot of guys here say ya ya ya when is really no no no...it would be sad you spent $200 on a card that wount post after you installed it as most find out. then get told its your psu and you spend more and end up right back where you are now, but its up to you good luck..


you got to know the the boards in these computers are not like the ones we use to do custom builds witch are open to upgrading with in the boards compatibly . the bios is custom made for there design and just for the parts they authorize to be used on there computers there only guaranteed to work as is out of the box as you bought it ,..


also these boards do not have to meet atx standards and there pci-e slot power may not do the required 75w needed for most higher end cards and can be limited to say 45 or 60w that is all thats needed with the low end factory oem cards that it may of shipped with

in the end any upgrade you do is all your own risk . the prebuilt manufactures only guarantees there computers work as sold to you as is out of the box from there factory with what they put on it , not a drop more

there in busness to sell you whole ready to go computers , and dont worry about you upgrading them or giving you support to do so . thats not how they make there money they prefer you run to wal-mart and buy there ''better'' latest models


no answer from them ,hmmmmm....

http://community.acer.com/t5/Aspire-Desktops/gtx-960-doesnt-work-on-Acer-Aspire-x3995/td-p/394939

just try to check there forums on your model ?

http://community.acer.com/t5/Aspire-Desktops/Acer-Aspire-X3995-GPU-upgrade-HELP/td-p/407861
 

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
1 long + 2 short is a VGA error:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/445231/Acer-Aspire-X3950.html?page=74

So, in this instance JM is likely right that the BIOS does not support newer GPU's. That being said, if you have a BIOS update available, I would try that first of all.

As for the limited PCIe power, while it's true these pre-builts do not need to conform, most actually do.

It's likely worth reaching out to Acer directly (via their forums as linked) to better understand if their BIOS is locked down, or whether it requires an update (and if one is coming).
 
Solution