Looking for second opinion on whats wrong with my old PC, possibly RAM?

Question

Back when I was using my old computer, the heatsink actually fell off of the motherboard and I was unaware for a while. I do not know how long it was off. It was still under warrenty so I recieved a new motherboard. Since it overheated, most of the peices were killed off. I am attempting to breath life back into it. It turns on sometimes but it usually just starts beeping. The only things in it are the motherboard, power supply, cd drive, hard drive, fans and ram. I am certain that everything works fine besides the ram and motherboard. Anyone know if this is a issue with the ram, processor or the motherboard all together? Thanks

Answer 1

I am assuming you mean it sometimes get to post boot.



The advice about beep codes you have received here is spot on, but any advice that points to particular components is pure conjecture & extremely misleading. At this stage & with the information you have given any one or more of the components could be at fault including the power supply or something as simple as the (S.P.C connections) system panel connections, (power reset, hard drive led pin connections, yep even they could be screwing up a boot) it could even be a HD cable the wrong way.



However the fact it sometimes boots may mean you’re in luck.

This might seem a little long-winded but I assume you’ve been messing around with your machine for a while & this is what you will pay for if you take it in for repair.



There are logical routines when diagnosing on the workbench & they will save you guessing or running round in circles.



Because you sometimes get a successful boot there are a few things you need to do before you can rely on the beep codes.

The first steps you need to take is to unplug everything including memory, power, system panel connectors, then reinstate all required connections leave hard drive & cd roms unconnected. Using your mobo manual & paying particular care to get the (S.P.C) connections in phase, check any jumpers are set right & clear all bios settings with the appropriate jumper.

Pay special attention to seating AGP graphics cards if you have one, they notoriously give a loose fit when the socket connectors are mounted on thin circuit board. (Often the cause of intermittent boot failure). Double-check your connections & jumper settings & your ready to go.

OK you’ve got the bare bones build & set-up checked, the bios set back to default, you will either be able to boot or you can start to test knowing it’s not a build problem.

I won’t go in to detail about testing you can find 100`s of decent guides if you Google `PC won’t boot` one you can try for a start is,



www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=266936



But to be honest apart from using the beep codes as a guide & substituting suspect parts there’s not a lot more to it.



So good luck and remember Before you open your computer up make sure you earth your self to get rid of any static, static kills computer components instantly or by a process not unlike slow poisoning. ! If you don’t have a wrist strap, you can easily earth your self by leaving your machine plugged into the mains & switching the socket off. All you do then is touch one of the screws of the power supply if you move away for any reason earth your self again.

Answer 2

If you get three long reoccurring beeps when you boot the machine the RAM is not initializing.



The beeps would sound that same a motherboard without any RAM installed.



Take the RAM sticks out and listen for the beeps to hear what they sound like, so that you can identify the sounds



Then, if it makes the same sound with them in...it is the RAM.

Answer 3

Sounds like the ram to me…if it were the processor it would power up and just hang without making noise. The best way to be sure however is to check the motherboard manual for the beep code. Some manufacturers use different beep codes so I can't be sure what yours is without using the manual.

Answer 4

When you start up the computer, it runs a POST (Power-on Self Test) to check all your components. When it beeps, that will give you a clue as to what is wrong, via how many short/long beeps. I'll run you through the POST process.



1. Test the power supply to ensure that it is turned on and that it releases its reset signal.

2. CPU must exit the reset status mode and thereafter be able to execute instructions.

3. BIOS checksum must be valid, meaning that it must be readable.

4. CMOS checksum must be valid, meaning that it must be readable.

5. CPU must be able to read all forms of memory such as the memory controller, memory bus, and memory module.

6. The first 64KB of memory must be operational and have the capability to be read and written to and from, and capable of containing the POST code.

7. I/O bus / controller must be accessible.

8. I/O bus must be able to write / read from the video subsystem and be able to read all video RAM.



When you get your codes, depending on what BIOS you have (It will say when you start your computer), type in Google like "PHOENIX BIOS Q3.07 Beep Codes"



That is your best bet. If you need help, message me through my profile on here with your BIOS version and the beep series (ie 1-3-2-1) and I'll help you more.

Answer 5

beeping is generally bad ram, i know about this first hand from experience buying bad ram from ebay, the computer let out a looong beep, video card wouldn't display anything what so ever. any way i can't remember if my screen displayed anything I don't think so

Answer 6

Assuming you have more than one stick of ram, remove one and see if it makes a difference, if not, swap the removed one for the one that is in it.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

remove cpu from pc,switch on, if no beep cpu is fautly.if still beeping put cpu back and remove something else,and so on.

Answer 9

could be the Ram or the Hard drive

Answer 10

beeping is generaly ram, but it also could be cpu and video.

Answer 11

take it somewhere and get it tested, the only know good part is the mobo so assume all the rest is fried, and testing them is only way to find out.