Hi, so i was using my computer and then all of a sudden it beeped a couple times and locked up so i restarted it and know instead of a single beep then booting it beeps tell you turn off the computer. I don't know what to do. All Help is Appreciated.

thanks
Matt

If there is any pattern to the beeping and you know your BIOS type here is a diagnostic chart:

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

If it is a manufactured computer such as Dell there are also diagnostic LEDs on the case.

The three main suspects for what you describe are: 1) RAM 2) CPU 3) Graphics card.

First off try reseating the RAM and use only one stick if you have more than one.

If things are the same try another stick. Or other slots.

If nothing changes see if you can feel any heat coming off the CPU. Also check that the fan is running.

You can also try reseating the graphics card and also resetting the CMOS might help.

Originally Posted by jephree

If there is any pattern to the beeping and you know your BIOS type here is a diagnostic chart:

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

If it is a manufactured computer such as Dell there are also diagnostic LEDs on the case.

The three main suspects for what you describe are: 1) RAM 2) CPU 3) Graphics card.

First off try reseating the RAM and use only one stick if you have more than one.

If things are the same try another stick. Or other slots.

If nothing changes see if you can feel any heat coming off the CPU. Also check that the fan is running.

You can also try reseating the graphics card and also resetting the CMOS might help.

It is a custom computer and there is no pattern to the beeps, just constant on off on off on off super fast. I have tried reseting the ram and using each stick separate and in differed spots. The CPU fan is running i don't feel any heat coming off of the CPU. I have also reset the Graphics card, and the CMOS. I don't know what else to try.

there is no pattern to the beeps, just constant on off on off on off super fast

I call that a pattern - just make sure it is not beeping 8 times (or 6, 7, 2, 5, whatever) and pausing, then starting over. Again, look on the link provided for the beep codes - it may help determine what exactly is bad. You do need to know the BIOS maker - if you are unsure, post back and we can help you find it - be sure to provide the make and model number of the motherboard.

BIOS Central Post/Beep Codes is another list used frequently.

Do note that a failed PSU can make just about anything else in the computer "look" bad, when in fact, there is just no, or not enough oomph to get the device, the CPU for example, going - assuming your problem is not a loose motherboard power connection. I keep a FrozenCPU Ultimate PSU Tester in my travel tool bag. It is not as good as a qualified technician testing the power supply unit (PSU) under a "true" (realistic) load with an oscilloscope or power analyzer, but close. The advantage of this model is that it has an LCD readout of the voltage. With an actual voltage readout, you can better detect a "failing" PSU, or one barely within specified tolerances. Lesser models use LEDs to indicate the voltage is just within some "range". These are less informative, considerably cheaper, but still useful for detecting PSUs that have already "failed". Newegg has several testers to choose from. All these testers contain a "dummy load" to fool the PSU into thinking it is connected to a motherboard, and therefore allows the PSU to power on, if able, without being attached to a motherboard - great for testing fans, but again, not a true load. Alternatively, you can swap out the PSU with a known good one that meets the computer's power requirements.

so its looking like a power supply problem or video card problem according to http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Do you have another video card? Or another PSU?

Does the motherboard have on-board video?

How old is this computer?

Many considerations to consider prior to replacing individual parts and starting a new build.

In your first post you said: "tell you turn off the computer" ...

If you received an error message what exactly did it say?

You could also try different configurations to see if you get different BEEP patterns such as:

1) Remove all the RAM and boot.

2) Remove the graphics card and boot.

Do you get the same pattern of BEEPS or different.

i do have a 2nd video card, but that didn't help it still does the same thing, but i don't have a 2nd power supply that will work with that motherboard. the motherboard does NOT have on board video, and its about 3-4 years old. The only message i received was some beeping, but because i was watching TV, cleaning my room and using MSN on it at the same time I didn't notice if there was a pattern to it. I have tried different configurations of ram and the video card but it doesn't seem to help any.