I just got a new ATI Radeon 9600SE. So i followed the installation instructions and put it in. When i tried to boot my computer i got one long beep then two short ones. So i put my old video card back it, and it was working perfectly. I exchanged the ati the next day for the same one and i am having the same problem again. Please help.

P4 3ghz w/ hp
1gb ram

Have you removed the drivers for the old card first??........

I think If you remove the video drivers for your old graphics card,widows will load default drivers and when you put your new card in widows will let you to boot and load the proper drivers

yes. i havent even installed the drivers for the old card.

Did you follow steps similar to these:


Boot the computer to Safe Mode options (F8 after BIOS) & choose:
"Enable VGA Mode".
Go to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.
Find your graphics card driver package & uninstall.
While in Control Panel, go to System, Hardware, Device Manager.
Expand (Click +) besides Display Adapter,
Right Click your graphics card, Choose Properties, Drivers, uninstall.
Reboot the Machine - It will re-detect your graphics card.
Then re-install the drivers.

I think the problem exists way before he is even able to boot into safe mode. Those beeps he described are during POST, so no chance of booting into safe mode at all.

Those two beeps usually indicate that either the graphics card is not seated properly or faulty, or the cable to the monitor is not connected properly. As you have exchanged the card already i practically rule out the card being defective.

What i would try is
a) update the bios of your mainboard to the latest level
b) make sure the mainboard can deliver the correct voltage for the card
c) reset CMOS to get default settings and try again with the ATI

Is there any way you can tell me how to update my bios. I have downloaded the things that are needed. I just do not know what program, or how to install it at startup.

The BIOS upgrade is put on a boot floppy & then booted.

If you want us to verify that you have exactly what you need then post the make & model of motherboard.

Mach Speed pt88as

Is this what you have:

PT88AS

PT88AS BIOS

X-Caliber PT88AS

Version A04

Date 01/18/05

Also I am assuming that the Download AWARD Bios Flash Utility may be what you need to run this but I can't find any clarification on the site.

yea, thats what i have. I downloaded the flash but whenever i open it it stays open for about two seconds, then closes.