Computer beeps /help needed/

Sam Alsop

New Member
Hi everyone,

On startup on my computer makes an audible beep, then there is a pause, then 3 more beeps in quick succession. Another pause follows this and then 2 beeps come afterwards, again in quick succession.

I've tried removing my RAM and Graphics card

Thank you very much!
Sam

(Spec: in case this is of any use)
8GB RAM, (4x2GB DIMM2 sticks)
i5 processor (can't be more specific
Seagate 500GB hard drive
SMSC bios chip
 

_Pete_

Active Member
It wont boot with no ram in. You need to take three of the sticks out and try to boot with one only. Then try a different stick on it's own and so on. What BIOS do you have because different BIOS's have different beep combinations. Perhaps telling us what make and model of motherboard you have will help.
 

Sam Alsop

New Member
It wont boot with no ram in. You need to take three of the sticks out and try to boot with one only. Then try a different stick on it's own and so on. What BIOS do you have because different BIOS's have different beep combinations. Perhaps telling us what make and model of motherboard you have will help.

Thanks for the reply,
I have just attempted to boot with one stick in as recommended, trying all 4 individually, with no success.

The make of motherboard is Dell and I can't see a visible marking on the motherboard regarding the model. Have had a more tech savvy friend have a look, he can't see it either.

Can make out a serial number on a small sticker:
CN-0N4YC8-72200-58P-0379-A00
But searching that produces nothing
 

Sam Alsop

New Member
Please find attached picture of motherboard

etrVUMD


https://imgur.com/a/etrVUMD
 

Kitsune

Member
Depends on what is wrong with it.

According to this site, 1-3-1 through 2-4-4 beeps means DIMMs not being properly identified or used
Source: https://www.dell.com/support/articl...-vostro-beep-codes-and-error-messages?lang=en

So my guess is ram is bad or maybe the Motherboard itself is toast, but that is just speculation. So my guess would be at a minimum you'd be buying more ram, otherwise new mobo. OFC there may be some other things that are causing it, that I am not thinking of.

Edit: actually if it is not detecting the ram is there, sounds like a mobo problem to me, but youll want and actual tech to confirm that before dumping money based on my opinion
 

Sam Alsop

New Member
Depends on what is wrong with it.

According to this site, 1-3-1 through 2-4-4 beeps means DIMMs not being properly identified or used
Source: https://www.dell.com/support/articl...-vostro-beep-codes-and-error-messages?lang=en

So my guess is ram is bad or maybe the Motherboard itself is toast, but that is just speculation. So my guess would be at a minimum you'd be buying more ram, otherwise new mobo. OFC there may be some other things that are causing it, that I am not thinking of.

A tech savvy friend has had a look in person and recommendeds purchasing a new motherboard. Foetunately they look to be less than £30 so I shall try that first.
 

Kitsune

Member
Sweet. Just thought of another cause that is possible, could be the power supply is giving out, if it is, the mobo isnt getting the correct voltage which can affect external Hardware like HDD, GPU, Ram and any other components attached to the mobo's ports.
 

Sam Alsop

New Member
Sweet. Just thought of another cause that is possible, could be the power supply is giving out, if it is, the mobo isnt getting the correct voltage which can affect external Hardware like HDD, GPU, Ram and any other components attached to the mobo's ports.

So the way to test this theory would be to use another cable?
 

Kitsune

Member
Use another power supply, preferably that is equal to the one that is in there. If you have access too one.
 
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