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Computer Fails POST/Beeps

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amenditman   01-25-2009 at 04:02:29 AM

I installed MEPIS 8 RC1 on my hp 3100e box. AMD Athlon 64 X2 2.4 GHz cpu.

On re-boot, it now just sits and beeps prior to bios loading. Haven't found anything like this at Mepis forums or Googling it.

I tried unplugging it, tried other Live CD, removed the battery. No change.

Any suggestions where to turn next.

Thanks,
Bob

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linux_0   01-25-2009 at 08:12:53 AM
- 0 +

It sounds like your PC is having a hardware problem.

Try to count the beeps and give us the beep code if you can.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS_ [...] _reporting

This could be due to a VGA card or RAM that is not fully seated or it could be something far more serious like a bad mobo.

Good luck :)

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amenditman   01-25-2009 at 02:04:25 PM
- 0 +

The beep code is one beep, a pause, then a longer beep.

I had thought about a component being loose and tried reseating those.

Thanks,
Bob

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audiovoodoo   01-25-2009 at 04:06:48 PM
- 0 +

Can you still access the BIOS at all? If you can then please indulge a pet theory I have and try disabling the on-board networking and try another boot.

If possible could you post the make and model of the motherboard, I just tried to find it but the 3100e seems to be listed as a printer and not a base unit. This will let us establish the correct error code being given, it sounds like a MB error to me but we'll need to check.

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amenditman   01-25-2009 at 05:40:35 PM
- 0 +

The system does not get to the bios before the error beep code.

The mobo is a Asus M2NC51-AR, but they provide little to no help. It is a proprietary board they manufacture for HP and HP is responsible for all software and support.

I have tried removing the video card and booting with the onboard graphics, no change. Haven't gotten to the ram yet, I have to disassemble half the computer to do that.

Thanks,
Bob

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linux_0   01-25-2009 at 06:58:49 PM
- 0 +

Is it an HP Slimline s3100e CTO Desktop PC?

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amenditman   01-25-2009 at 07:07:51 PM
- 0 +

Yes it is.

Model # is GG759AV#ABA
Serial # is MXG72902GM

HP has been as helpful as expected, but since I have re-formatted the hard drive and installed an unsupported OS they can't help.

Thanks,
Bob

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linux_0   01-25-2009 at 07:49:17 PM
- 0 +

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc [...] 107&dlc=en

These beep codes may not apply to your board :(

Good luck :)

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linux_0   01-25-2009 at 07:51:37 PM
- 0 +

Do you have a PSU tester, a POST reporter card or any spare parts?

If you have a spare power supply in working condition that's compatible with the board it wouldn't hurt to give it a try :)

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ijack   01-25-2009 at 08:20:57 PM
- 0 +

I think that motherboard has an Award BIOS, not Phoenix. In that case the error code represents a RAM error.

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linux_0   01-25-2009 at 08:30:57 PM
- 0 +

HP doesn't even post the AWARD beep codes, if they do I couldn't find them.

I downloaded the PDF manuals several hours ago and couldn't find anything relevant.

My first thought was RAM or VGA although the mobo may be a goner.

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ijack   01-25-2009 at 09:23:01 PM
- 0 +

No, but several sites that you can find via Google do list beep codes for Award BIOSes. Basically the only codes you get are for a broken video adapter - and none of them are as described - any other codes indicate a RAM problem.

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linux_0   01-25-2009 at 10:47:39 PM
- 0 +

Back in the day all the good motherboards had the beep codes in the manual, but you hardly see them any more.

I had already posted the wikipedia article which lists some codes and links to various sites.

:)

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ijack   01-25-2009 at 10:51:25 PM
- 0 +

I don't know if any of them have them these days, but some of my older motherboards had LEDs on them to indicate error conditions. Much easier than trying to count beeps.

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linux_0   01-26-2009 at 12:21:01 AM
- 0 +

You very rarely see the beep codes in the back on the manual nowadays :(

Some high-end server boards show hex post reporter codes on the screen during boot.

A few boards have the 7 segment LEDs you mentioned on the board which report the hex code.

For example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136056

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136041

Some ASUS boards have a speech reporter which indicates problems during boot.

There are also stand-alone POST reporter / diagnostic cards you can buy for about $20 which have 7 segment LEDs and show various hex codes.

Examples:

http://www.elstonsystems.com/prod/ [...] _card.html

http://www.darkwire.com.au/html/pc [...] est_c.html

http://www.biosman.com/port80.htm

:)

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amenditman   01-26-2009 at 04:25:46 AM
- 0 +

My mobo does use the Award Bios, so I'll check the ram.

It might take a while, it's under everything.

Thanks for all your help.
Bob

Reply to amenditman
linux_0   01-26-2009 at 05:31:56 AM
- 0 +

Reseat the RAM and see if it works.

If that doesn't do it, remove one module and try again.

If it still doesn't work reinstall the module you removed and then remove the other module.

If all fails try new RAM.

Unfortunately your board doesn't use a standard size ATX PSU connector so you can't use a standard power supply without an adapter.

Good luck :)

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