Mothers computer broken - explanation within.

haz_pro · 8 Jul 2011 at 22:34

Hey GH,

Just came home from work and mums told me the computer is dead.

When you turn it on nothing on the screen appears. The computer emits a short beep then a longer beep. Then a pause and the same again.

I have tried removing the ram, taking out the CMOS battery for 10 minutes and replacing, and unplugging various other hardware (e.g. Cd drive, card reader).

The computer is a 3 or so year old Compaq with a intel dual core processor, 4gb ram, and no video card ( don't know much else about it!)

Any ideas are welcome, in not great with hardware if I'm honest so please talk in lamen terms haha.

Thanks.

Phenomenologica · 8 Jul 2011 at 22:53

If you have the manual look up the error code (Beep pattern). If not google the model number and try to find the error codes. It should tell you what part has failed. Edit: The internet seems to imply it may be the RAM. Try reseating it, if that doesn't work try with only one stick (Try both sticks individually in slot 1).

haz_pro · 8 Jul 2011 at 22:58

Cheers for the quick reply. I'll have a look and see if I can find the model number. Would the computer still beep with the ram removed completely if it were a issue with the ram?

haz_pro · 9 Jul 2011 at 11:01

Tried ram individually today (just took it all out last night, didn't think to try ram individually! As I said, I am a novice!). Turns out one of the crucial Ram modules had broken!

Cheers for the help.