powered computer down and now it will not power on

[derkysback]

A few weeks ago i shut my computer down for the weekend and when I powered it back on, it beeped twice instead of the usual once, then froze on the windows logo screen. I tried it again and it got to my desktop background, but then crashed to the blue screen. I assumed it was a ram issue, so I took a stick out and powered it up again. It still beeped twice, but powered up and allowed me to use the computer as if nothing was wrong. I went ahead and ordered some new ram.

Today I got the ram I had ordered and I installed it. It powered on, still beeped twice, got to my background and crashed to the blue screen again. I reseated the ram and this time only the led lights and the fans started. Nothing else even indicated the computer had been powered on. I tried swapping the ram around to different slots on the Motherboard and nothing will work. No matter what combination of ram or slots that I use, it doesn't even acknowledge that the computer has been powered on other than the lights and fans.

I think that means its a motherboard issue, but I honestly have no clue. I'm aware of static electricity and I took all the proper precautions before opening and messing around with the computer so I'm pretty positive I didn't mess anything up that way. Any ideas?

 

[ram1009]

Unfortunately, for users like us that don't have access to a lab the only way to troubleshoot hardware problems like this is to replace components one at a time until the problem is located. I would start with the PSU.

 

[derkysback]

Unfortunately, for users like us that don't have access to a lab the only way to troubleshoot hardware problems like this is to replace components one at a time until the problem is located. I would start with the PSU.

Does it seem like something that I should be able to fix without replacing the entire computer though?

 

[ram1009]

Unfortunately, for users like us that don't have access to a lab the only way to troubleshoot hardware problems like this is to replace components one at a time until the problem is located. I would start with the PSU.

Does it seem like something that I should be able to fix without replacing the entire computer though?

You don't say if this is home built or store bought. Store bought computers are seldom cost effectively serviceable. First of all, if the machine is more than a couple of years old or if it has been balking at the software you currently use this might be an opportune time to replace it. On the other hand if you take it to a service depot they will likely replace components exactly as you would.......for a fee of course. Once the problem is located you must decide to replace/repair. Sometimes store bought machine use proprietary components and those will be expensive. If the machine is home built and you can do the troubleshooting yourself you will certainly pay less to repair it but the age scenario still applies. Personally, I have several old machines laying around the house.

 

[ssddx]

copied from another forum....

------------------------------------------

About beeps

If the computer beeps the same tone over and over again (Award/Phoenix BIOS) or beeps in series of three (AMI BIOS), then you may have a problem with memory. The most likely scenario is that the memory is not all of the way in the slot. JUST BECAUSE the white retention tabs snap up into the locked position, does not mean that the RAM is all of the way in the DIMM slot. The board can bow, and the DIMM may not be seated in the center. On AMI BIOS based boards, this error code is a series of three beep, three beeps, three beeps, in a continuous loop.

If the computer beeps one long beep and then two short beeps (Award/Phoenix BIOS) or eight short beeps in a row (AMI BIOS), this is a video card error. Check to make sure the video card is fully seated. If problem persists, try another video card. If the computer beeps a high tone, followed by a low tone, and then repeats (Asus motherboard), make sure that the CPU fan is plugged into the header labeled "CPU FAN" and not one of the other provided.

Here's some other beep codes:

Award and Phoenix BIOS:

1 short beep: Normal
2 short beeps: CMOS error
1 long and 1 short beep: DRAM error
1 long and 2 short beeps: Video card error
1 long and 3 short beeps: Keyboard error
1 long and 9 short beeps: ROM error
Long continuous beeps: DRAM not installed correctly
Short continuous beeps: Bad power supply


AMI BIOS:

1 short beep: DRAM flash error
2 short beeps: DRAM ECC check error
3 short beeps: DRAM detect error
5 short beeps: CPU error
6 short beeps: Keyboard error
8 short beeps: Video card error
9 short beeps: ROM error
1 long and 3 short beeps: Bad DRAM
1 long and 8 short beeps: Video card error


Invoking Beep Codes

No beeps AND no POST? Pull everything out of the machine except for the CPU (with a cooling fan, of course) and power the PC up. The PC should now only consist of a power supply, a motherboard and a CPU/HSF. This means your PC should have no video card, RAM or IDE cables. You should have no PCI cards and that includes modems and sound cards. Have a power button and speaker hooked up to the board so you can turn it on and listen for beep codes.

If you have the PC stripped down this much and you STILL do not get any beep codes, then you may have an issue with either the CPU, motherboard or power supply. This is easy to conclude as you only have these three parts left in your system.

If the computer is actually functioning and the computer beeps continuously, then there is a problem with a voltage on the power supply being incorrect or the CPU overheating. IMMEDIATELY go into the BIOS and check CPU temperature, fan speed and voltages

**********************************************
BIOS Beep Codes

Annoying isn't it? You have built your computer you switch it on and then nothing happens except a few beeps from the PC speaker. Frustration sets in as you try to figure out what is wrong with it. If you didn't already know the computer has already told you the problem. It can't speak of course but it can direct you to the problem. Its all in the beeps. The BIOS can recognise when the problem occurs and sends a signal out to send a certain amount of beeps through the speaker. These beeps then tell you the location of the problem.

Unfortunately not all the BIOS' use the same codes as each other. Two of the main BIOS manufactures AMI and Award (now Phoenix) have different codes for there errors.

AMI BIOS

# of Beeps Error Description
1 Refresh Failure The memory refresh Circuitry is faulty
2 Parity Error Parity error in the Base (1st 64K) of memory
3 64K Base Memory Error Memory error in the base memory (1st 64K)
4 Timer Not Operational Timer 1 is not functioning (also caused by error in base memory)
5 Processor Error CPU error
6 8042 Gate A20 Failure Unable to switch to protected mode
7 Processor Exception Interrupt error The CPU on the CPU card generated an interrupt error
8 Display Memory Read/Write Error Video adapter is missing, incorrectly seated or has faulty memory
9 ROM checksum error The ROM checksum does not match that of the BIOS
10 Coms Shutdown Register Read/Write The shutdown register for coms RAM has failed
11 Cache Memory Bad The cache memory test has failed. Cache memory will be disabled. *** DO NOT enable it ***


With the first 3 beep codes, its well worth re-seating the memory just to make sure that it's in correctly. 8 Beeps is probably the most common in my experience. Can be caused by a badly seated Graphics card. If you have re-seated it then check with another Graphics card in the board.

Always check for loose components before sending the board back as this is the main cause of errors on the POST.



Award BIOS

Award states that they now only use one beep from there BIOS. This beep is one long beep and then two short beeps. This indicates a graphics card problem. Any other beeps should be treated as a RAM problem first and then the board sent in to be inspected.

The reason that the Award BIOS only uses the beep code for display problems is that it tries to display the error on-screen if at all possible. If the BIOS cannot initiate the display adapter then this causes the BIOS to make the beep code for a display error, which must be corrected before any other errors can be determined. Memory Test fails and hard disk failures etc will all be displayed on screen

IBM BIOS

The IBM BIOS works with Short and Long beeps as well as the Award BIOS. However the IBM one does still have codes to work from.

Beep Code Error
1 Short Beep Normal POST, System booted OK
2 Short Beeps POST Error - Code on Display
No Beep Power supply or Motherboard error
Continuous Beep Power supply or Motherboard error
Repeating short beeps Power supply or Motherboard error
1 short, 1 long beep System board error
1 long, 2 short beeps Display adapter error (MDA/CGA)
1 long, 3 short beeps Display adapter error (EGA/VGA)
3 long beeps 3270 keyboard card


Phoenix BIOS
The Phoenix BIOS works on a slightly more complicated manor than the others. It does display an error code for you and produce a series of beeps. This BIOS produces its beeps according to the hexadecimal code the error produces. The Phoenix BIOS has many different codes for its possible errors and so many different beep codes. Rather than list the entire section here, I have provided a link to the official PDF file containing the codes and how they are derived.

Phoenix BIOS Post Codes

System board errors should be looked at by a specialist, Again always try to re-seat components to ensure they are in correctly. If necessary take all components out except for the RAM CPU and graphics card, then try the system. Re-seating components is the number one fix for getting past the POST screen. One badly seated components can cause the entire system not to function.

**********************************************

 

[derkysback]

Unfortunately, for users like us that don't have access to a lab the only way to troubleshoot hardware problems like this is to replace components one at a time until the problem is located. I would start with the PSU.

Does it seem like something that I should be able to fix without replacing the entire computer though?

You don't say if this is home built or store bought. Store bought computers are seldom cost effectively serviceable. First of all, if the machine is more than a couple of years old or if it has been balking at the software you currently use this might be an opportune time to replace it. On the other hand if you take it to a service depot they will likely replace components exactly as you would.......for a fee of course. Once the problem is located you must decide to replace/repair. Sometimes store bought machine use proprietary components and those will be expensive. If the machine is home built and you can do the troubleshooting yourself you will certainly pay less to repair it but the age scenario still applies. Personally, I have several old machines laying around the house.

copied from another forum....

------------------------------------------

About beeps

If the computer beeps the same tone over and over again (Award/Phoenix BIOS) or beeps in series of three (AMI BIOS), then you may have a problem with memory. The most likely scenario is that the memory is not all of the way in the slot. JUST BECAUSE the white retention tabs snap up into the locked position, does not mean that the RAM is all of the way in the DIMM slot. The board can bow, and the DIMM may not be seated in the center. On AMI BIOS based boards, this error code is a series of three beep, three beeps, three beeps, in a continuous loop.

If the computer beeps one long beep and then two short beeps (Award/Phoenix BIOS) or eight short beeps in a row (AMI BIOS), this is a video card error. Check to make sure the video card is fully seated. If problem persists, try another video card. If the computer beeps a high tone, followed by a low tone, and then repeats (Asus motherboard), make sure that the CPU fan is plugged into the header labeled "CPU FAN" and not one of the other provided.

Here's some other beep codes:

Award and Phoenix BIOS:

1 short beep: Normal
2 short beeps: CMOS error
1 long and 1 short beep: DRAM error
1 long and 2 short beeps: Video card error
1 long and 3 short beeps: Keyboard error
1 long and 9 short beeps: ROM error
Long continuous beeps: DRAM not installed correctly
Short continuous beeps: Bad power supply


AMI BIOS:

1 short beep: DRAM flash error
2 short beeps: DRAM ECC check error
3 short beeps: DRAM detect error
5 short beeps: CPU error
6 short beeps: Keyboard error
8 short beeps: Video card error
9 short beeps: ROM error
1 long and 3 short beeps: Bad DRAM
1 long and 8 short beeps: Video card error


Invoking Beep Codes

No beeps AND no POST? Pull everything out of the machine except for the CPU (with a cooling fan, of course) and power the PC up. The PC should now only consist of a power supply, a motherboard and a CPU/HSF. This means your PC should have no video card, RAM or IDE cables. You should have no PCI cards and that includes modems and sound cards. Have a power button and speaker hooked up to the board so you can turn it on and listen for beep codes.

If you have the PC stripped down this much and you STILL do not get any beep codes, then you may have an issue with either the CPU, motherboard or power supply. This is easy to conclude as you only have these three parts left in your system.

If the computer is actually functioning and the computer beeps continuously, then there is a problem with a voltage on the power supply being incorrect or the CPU overheating. IMMEDIATELY go into the BIOS and check CPU temperature, fan speed and voltages

**********************************************
BIOS Beep Codes

Annoying isn't it? You have built your computer you switch it on and then nothing happens except a few beeps from the PC speaker. Frustration sets in as you try to figure out what is wrong with it. If you didn't already know the computer has already told you the problem. It can't speak of course but it can direct you to the problem. Its all in the beeps. The BIOS can recognise when the problem occurs and sends a signal out to send a certain amount of beeps through the speaker. These beeps then tell you the location of the problem.

Unfortunately not all the BIOS' use the same codes as each other. Two of the main BIOS manufactures AMI and Award (now Phoenix) have different codes for there errors.

AMI BIOS

# of Beeps Error Description
1 Refresh Failure The memory refresh Circuitry is faulty
2 Parity Error Parity error in the Base (1st 64K) of memory
3 64K Base Memory Error Memory error in the base memory (1st 64K)
4 Timer Not Operational Timer 1 is not functioning (also caused by error in base memory)
5 Processor Error CPU error
6 8042 Gate A20 Failure Unable to switch to protected mode
7 Processor Exception Interrupt error The CPU on the CPU card generated an interrupt error
8 Display Memory Read/Write Error Video adapter is missing, incorrectly seated or has faulty memory
9 ROM checksum error The ROM checksum does not match that of the BIOS
10 Coms Shutdown Register Read/Write The shutdown register for coms RAM has failed
11 Cache Memory Bad The cache memory test has failed. Cache memory will be disabled. *** DO NOT enable it ***


With the first 3 beep codes, its well worth re-seating the memory just to make sure that it's in correctly. 8 Beeps is probably the most common in my experience. Can be caused by a badly seated Graphics card. If you have re-seated it then check with another Graphics card in the board.

Always check for loose components before sending the board back as this is the main cause of errors on the POST.



Award BIOS

Award states that they now only use one beep from there BIOS. This beep is one long beep and then two short beeps. This indicates a graphics card problem. Any other beeps should be treated as a RAM problem first and then the board sent in to be inspected.

The reason that the Award BIOS only uses the beep code for display problems is that it tries to display the error on-screen if at all possible. If the BIOS cannot initiate the display adapter then this causes the BIOS to make the beep code for a display error, which must be corrected before any other errors can be determined. Memory Test fails and hard disk failures etc will all be displayed on screen

IBM BIOS

The IBM BIOS works with Short and Long beeps as well as the Award BIOS. However the IBM one does still have codes to work from.

Beep Code Error
1 Short Beep Normal POST, System booted OK
2 Short Beeps POST Error - Code on Display
No Beep Power supply or Motherboard error
Continuous Beep Power supply or Motherboard error
Repeating short beeps Power supply or Motherboard error
1 short, 1 long beep System board error
1 long, 2 short beeps Display adapter error (MDA/CGA)
1 long, 3 short beeps Display adapter error (EGA/VGA)
3 long beeps 3270 keyboard card


Phoenix BIOS
The Phoenix BIOS works on a slightly more complicated manor than the others. It does display an error code for you and produce a series of beeps. This BIOS produces its beeps according to the hexadecimal code the error produces. The Phoenix BIOS has many different codes for its possible errors and so many different beep codes. Rather than list the entire section here, I have provided a link to the official PDF file containing the codes and how they are derived.

Phoenix BIOS Post Codes

System board errors should be looked at by a specialist, Again always try to re-seat components to ensure they are in correctly. If necessary take all components out except for the RAM CPU and graphics card, then try the system. Re-seating components is the number one fix for getting past the POST screen. One badly seated components can cause the entire system not to function.

**********************************************

This seems to be very helpful. I took everything out like it suggested for me to do and instead of absolutely nothing happening like before I got 3 long beeps with just the psu, processor, and mobo hooked up. So does that mean that these 3 pieces are working properly and this issue is with another component then? I couldn't find the code for what 3 long beeps meant on the list; also I am not sure which bios my computer uses.

 

[ssddx]

did you build the pc yourself or buy it premade?

if you built it what is the motherboard you used? it is normally written on the motherboard itself

if you bought it then what is the model of your pc? the brand should be obvious and the model is normally written somewhere on the case .

the bios beep messages i copied were only meant to assist and unless your bios matches the one in question you cannot really go by them. i was hoping that you would look into the matter further and figure out what bios you and and get the bios beep codes for that bios. (all i did was type in bios beep codes in google)

if you can figure out what motherboard you are using or better yet if you can boot into bios and take a look at what bios it says it is (its normally at the top in easy to read letters) then that would be very helpful.

until we know this information there isnt much we can do.

 

[derkysback]

its a premade that I bought from Tigerdirect.com. the motherboard is a MSI 760GM-E51. I'm not sure how to figure out what bios it uses since I can not get the computer to actually power on past anything more than just fans and LEDs. I did do the strip and got the 3 long beeps and put everything except the video card back in and it actually powered on, but I still got 2 short beeps instead of the usual 1 short beep.

 

[ssddx]

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/760GM-E51.html#/?div=BIOS

ami bios....

ami beep cost list direct from source. see page 15

http://www.ami.com/support/doc/AMIBIOS8_Checkpoint_and_Beep_Code_List_PUB.pdf

due to the number of mobos which use ami bios the beep codes may vary. the ones i listed or the ones listed in the other post should be able to help you figure out the issue though.

 

[derkysback]

http://www.msi.com/product/mb/760GM-E51.html#/?div=BIOS

ami bios....

ami beep cost list direct from source. see page 15

http://www.ami.com/support/doc/AMIBIOS8_Checkpoint_and_Beep_Code_List_PUB.pdf

due to the number of mobos which use ami bios the beep codes may vary. the ones i listed or the ones listed in the other post should be able to help you figure out the issue though.

Thank you so much for the help and for posting that list. I finally figured out what the issue was because of that list. It's working fine now!