Desktop PC constant beep when try to turn on

BOBS

Laptop is main computer that is used in this house but the kids use the desktop one. When we try and turn it on all we get is a constant beep. Its 4/5 years old. Is is for the knackers yard or is there anything I can try ?
Thanks

santer_2

If you know the make and model of the motherboard you can look up the beep codes for it

If you do not know which motherboard it has, if you are happy to unplug the power and open the case, you could check the installed components are seated properly, if they are, try removing them one at a time to see if it boots then, make sure you replace the cover before connecting the power, start with the memory to leave one stick installed, if it does not start, keep changing the memory sticks until you have tried all of them.

If it still does not start, remove the graphics card, try it, then the soundcard etc

Here is a general list of beep codes

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=continuous+beep+on+startup&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=Palemoon:en-USofficial&client=firefox-a

System

do you know what the specs are, could really be anything going on the above, sounds like you have to open it up and see what's in there, find out the mb manufacturer for beep codes, or try to reseat everything, ram, graphics, other cards, hdds - check all the power connections to cards and motherboard too


edit: as above!

BOBS

ok - off to look for screw driver and have a poke around - nothing to loose!! - will report back what I find lol

BOBS

Took apart and hoovered around inside to get of the dust then gave everything a bit of a wiggle (technical term ) and put back together and turned on.
First thing that came up was Ok floppy disc fail (40) and had to press F1 to get it started but seems to be going ok at the moment. Is there anything I should do now that it actually turns on ??

santer_2

When you need to restart it, tap the delete key as soon as the first screen shows, when it enters set up, look for floppy boot seek and disable that if set, press F10 to save, otherwise, if it ain't broke, don't fix it

Thank you for posting the outcome

BOBS

santer thanks for your help too - will restart shortly and do the above - my 7 year old just delighted it is going - dont trust him on my laptop!! - desktop slow but he doesnt seem too bothered!

debitcardmayhem

Just a possible , is the clock on it correct, I guess it never used to look for a floppy, in that case the battery on the motherboard could be flat too. Glad it's working now tho.

scheming_gypsy

you've probably knocked the data / power cable off the floppy drive (or motherboard) when you were poking about inside, so it's not being detected.

A continuous beep / lots of little beeps is often keyboard related.

Hammyman

A continuous beep is usually a memory fault. On an old PC it doesn't mean the memory is faulty - just that there is corrosion built up on the connecting pins. Chances are your disturbing things has sorted it.

As for the Floppy Fail, chances are the CMOS backup battery has gone flat and reverted to default. The CMOS battery is normally a standard CR2032 watch battery available in any pound store and you can change them yourself.