3 beeps on startup?

coopsjc21

coopsjc21

coopsjc21

Associate
Joined
22 Aug 2005
Posts
373
Location
Kent
Hi,
I'm trying to fix a friends pc. The problem is on boot up it beeps 3 times and displays no picture.

At first I thought gfx card (it has onboard gfx), so replaced with a spare one I had, still same problem.

Then with the help of the OCUK community I figured out what mobo/ram it was so replaced the ram, same issue.

-Pentium dual core
-Intel mobo DG33BU (http://ark.intel.com/m/products/5037...specifications)
-Onboard graphics (not sure of details)
-1gb ddr2 800mhz ram
-Sata hdd

Any ideas what this could be? If it is onboard graphics issue then how come putting in a new one didn't fix it?

The manual states this...


The BIOS also issues a beep code (one long tone followed by two short tones) during
POST if the video configuration fails (a faulty video card or no card installed) or if an
external ROM module does not properly checksum to zero. Table 12 lists the BIOS
codes.

Table 12. Beep Codes

3 beeps........ No memory
Siren.......... Processor overheat (on reboot)
 
Duff RAM, try it in a different slot if a single DIMM, or try individually if more than one DIMM.
 
I tried the original ram in all 4 slots, same issue.

Ill try the new ram in different slots though.

I read somewhere else that a bios reset/removing cmos battery may help, so will try that too. Found quite a few pages regarding this on google, but no definitive fix.
 
I have an older dell system that I occasionally mess about with, running a Pentium dual core, ddr2 etc so probably a similar age to your friends.

it is notoriously fussy with ram when it comes to posting, I am always chopping and changing between sticks that I have, one week one stick will work in, for example slot 3, the next it wont. I just think these old girls get fussy in their old age :p
 
Jamesyboyjim said:
I have an older dell system that I occasionally mess about with, running a Pentium dual core, ddr2 etc so probably a similar age to your friends.

it is notoriously fussy with ram when it comes to posting, I am always chopping and changing between sticks that I have, one week one stick will work in, for example slot 3, the next it wont. I just think these old girls get fussy in their old age :p
Click to expand...

Maybe it just needs a back hander then? :D
 
I pretty much just had the same problem.

I ran Memtest for 1 pass, on each stick to make sure they were working, then I tried a working stick in each slot one by one. Once you find out which one is dead just ignore than slot and use the others.

I also just mashed the CMOS button loads of times and reset the bios so it may have helped... all i know it's on a all day Windows Memory Test so when I get home if my flat isn't on fire the problem is solved!
 
Update:

Removed cmos battery for 10 mins, reinserted, no fix.

Cleaned all memory sticks, old & new, cleaned dimm slots, put one of each in slots 1-4 one at a time, tried all combinations, no fix.

Starting to wonder if it's the motherboard? Is there like a ram controller chip on it or something? Could this have failed which has caused all the dimm slots to be unrecognised?

I can pick up a socket 775 motherboard of an auction site (OCUK don't sell them anymore) for £10-£15, worth a go?
 
Last edited:
check the board in auction site can take you cpu, some socket 775 wont go higher than a Pentium 4.

Also if its not an indentical board, you may have to re-install windows
 
Kurgen said:
check the board in auction site can take you cpu, some socket 775 wont go higher than a Pentium 4.

Also if its not an indentical board, you may have to re-install windows
Click to expand...

Ok thanks. There's actually an identical board for £20 or one with an E6550 core2duo and 2gig ram for £25.
 
Quick update. Bought the replacement mobo off the auction site (same board, came with cpu & 2gig ram), fitted it & now works fine. So def the old mobo was knackered.

One slight issue though, boot into Windows, but stuck on Windows login screen as usb mouse/keyboard aren't working? I swapped jumpers to boot into bios and keyboard works ok in bios, but not at Windows login? It's s different mouse/keyboard to what was being used before problem started. Thoughts?
 
coopsjc21 said:
Quick update. Bought the replacement mobo off the auction site (same board, came with cpu & 2gig ram), fitted it & now works fine. So def the old mobo was knackered.

One slight issue though, boot into Windows, but stuck on Windows login screen as usb mouse/keyboard aren't working? I swapped jumpers to boot into bios and keyboard works ok in bios, but not at Windows login? It's s different mouse/keyboard to what was being used before problem started. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

You don't have an old ps/2 keyboard / mouse you can try do you? Or an adapter?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom