Tag Archives: beep

Regular beep beep at computer startup

Computer Aid Posted on by

This happens quite a lot.

Almost as soon as the computer is switched on, it starts a slow regular beep beep sound.

Normally, the screen is blank, and there is no indication of what the problem might be.

This usually indicates a severe hardware problem, but from experience, I’ve found that about 3 out of 4 times, its just some dust that has caused a RAM module to lose contact on one of it pins (a RAM module can have 240 pins).

If just one pin doesn’t make good electrical contact, then the computer will usually fail to start.

For the technically minded, the solution is simple: open up the PC, and reseat the RAM module (ie take it out, clean it, and re-insert it. Remember to use anti-static precautions… a small static electricity spark can ruin the RAM.

For the not so technically minded, you might be able to get the PC going temporarily (while waiting for a technician to come and reseat the RAM).

To do this:

  • turn off the PC, and disconnect it from power.
  • Whack the computer case with your hand (either from the side, or from the top)
  • It might be tempting, but don’t hit too hard… I’m not responsible if you hit it hard enough to knock the PC over (or off your desk).

The reason this works is that you might dislodge the dust slightly (enough to get electrical contact again).

How about that! I never thought I’d be telling people to hit their computer if it doesn’t work 🙂

Computer beeps at startup

Computer Aid Posted on by

This seems to be a common occurrence: Computer refuses to start, and often makes beeping noise.

I open up the case, see that the CPU heatsink seems to direct a lot of air towards the RAM (and there is usual a buildup of dust on the RAM). So I pull out the RAM, wipe the RAM terminals, plug it into a different socket, and the problem is fixed!

Its amazing how dust can wedge its way into memory connectors and (presumably) cause a connection problem.

Then again, I’ve also seen similar symptoms when a power supply is about to fail: computer will either refuse to start (and may or may not beep), or will suddenly shut down, or suddenly restart (or only restart after a ‘rest’).

And in similar circumstances (computer will suddenly shutdown a minute or two after startup, and won’t restart unless it gets a ‘rest’): cause can be an overheating CPU (either the heatsink compound has dried up, or the heatsink is not making contact with the CPU).

Its just a process of elimination, until the fault is found.