For the computer geeks.

[Wes Davis]

I have an old computer I am reformatting for my parents. Everything is loaded up and ready to go. When I hit the power button I get two successive beeps and then 8 paused beeps. Everything I find on the internet says it is a memory problem either with the RAM or with the video card. Here is the confusing problem. After the beeps the computer is powered up but otherwise dead. I press the reset button and the computer boots and starts as normal as if nothing was ever wrong. I can't figure this out. I don't think I have a hardware problem. I think there is something wrong with the boot process when powering on from the off condition. I get the feeling that the computer isn't telling certain components to load up in the correct order and this is causing the faults. When the computer is running and I choose restart once again all is perfect. But if I power off then press the power button I get the beeps and no load. Anyone have any ideas? So far I have:

remove/reset video card

remove/reset ram

remove/reset processor

remove/reset all connections

messed around in the BIOS a little just to see if I could figure anything out



Thanks



EDIT

I switched out the two rams trying each one at a time

I replaced the battery

Set BIOS to factory

 

[Jacob Dryer]

If there is more than one stick of ram did you try with only one or the other in varying slots?



Could be as simple as a CMOS battery, but usually you don't get a bunch of beeps when they fail. They are $2.99 for a 2 pack typically so you aren't out much if you want to try that.

 

[Roger Batts]

Go into the BIOS and reset it to the default settings. If that doesn't fix it, then you more than likely have a problem with either the memory, the video, or motherboard.

 

[Don Pertz]

If it has the video on the motherboard , try installing a cheap video card and disabling the onboard video.



Also make sure in the bios that you are booting from the hard drive.

 

[Wes Davis]

No on board video. Card only.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Beeps w/ no boot usually means a video error...especially if three rather long beeps.



I suspect the vid card is bad, not seated properly, or lacks default VGA support (that last choice is the least likely).



TJR

 

[Mike Corn]

well system beeps can mean a number of things, I would recommend obtaining the motherboard manual or googling the motherboard beep codes, those will pinpoint what is bad (RAM is usually the culprit in my experience)

 

[Gavin Allan]

+1 What mike said about seeing what the motherboard documentation says about the beeps. They have meaning.

 

[Wes Davis]

I get two successive beeps and then 8 paused beeps. Everything I find on the internet says it is a memory problem either with the RAM or with the video card.

 

[Wes Davis]

I am pretty sure I have a faulty video card although I don't understand why it appears to work correctly from a reset/restart but does not work correctly from a fresh power off start. My next question. I have 1 AGP slot and 5 PCI slots. The video card is installed in the AGP slot. I want to purchase and install a new video card in 1 of the PCI slots just in case there is something wrong with the motherboard AGP slot. Is this a problem. I just purchase and install a PCI card correct? I don't need to get an AGP card correct?



Thanks

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Me....



PCI video cards are hard to come by these days (old technology) and where you can get them they are pretty expensive.. It might actually be cheaper, better to look for a new mobo that has onboard video, especially if all you need is basic video. Basic PCI cards can cost anywhere from $20 to $30, and mobos can cost the same with a good deal. However, you would have to make sure the RAM you have will work with a new mobo, or get new RAM, which would drive the cost up.



However, you can probably find used and new PCI video cards on eBay.



TJR

 

[Wes Davis]

Yeh I am checking Ebay. Looks like about 30-35$ for a PCI with DVI out 256mb. It wont be used for gaming but it will be hooked up to 32" LCD tv as a monitor.

 

[Wes Davis]

If anyone knows of a online site that sells this kind of outdated stuff at a good price please post a link. Right now I am looking for PCI, minimum 128mb and DVI out.



Thanks

 

[Jacob Dryer]

I'll check my random box of computer parts later today and let you know if I have something.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Does the PC boot up OK without the video card installed?

 

[Wes Davis]

Gavin there is no on board video so I can't test that process. Its funny my father purchased this computer about 6-8 years ago. At the time it was the most expensive computer the custom shop ever built. He said the employees were all giddy because they had never put something like this together before. My dad paid over $3,000.00 for it. He told them he wanted the best of everything for gaming. Now I doubt if there is any single component of this computer worth more than $10.00. LOL

 

[Jacob Dryer]

I don't have anything to help. Must have tossed all my really old stuff when we moved.

 

[Wes Davis]

Thanks for checking JD

 

[Wes Davis]

Picked up a PCI video card at CompUSA for $35.00. That fixed everything with the beep errors. Is anyone good at finding elusive drivers. I need the driver for a OPTI OPCRW5224 CD Burner. This is apparently a very rare burner installed by the computer shop. I can't find the driver online anywhere. The computer recognizes it as a CD ROM but not a burner. I installed several burning software programs including NERO and none would recognize it as a burner.

 

[Jacob Dryer]

Did you pull the drive and see if it is actually made by Opti? There is usually a sticker on them with small print with manufacture date and company and such..