Help with my Dell...beeping at start-up!

laughable · #1 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 03:49 AM

yeah, its a temprorary problem...i have the same thing...but beware--on my computer, it comes back frequently.

laughable · #2 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 04:35 AM

in case u have the time...
my computer is a Dell, with windows XP
i push the "On" button, but it doesnt start up--instead, i hear these beeping sounds, along with the computer's fan going REALLY fast....its sounds as if the computer is about to explode or something! =] i've had these problems before, and they usually just go away. but now, the problem has become frequent and VERY annoying!!! if you could help, i'd really love it!
mwuah!
<33
laughable

laughable · #3 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 04:36 AM

oh, and if you could IM me (AIM) at cami2chique, that would be even better...really.

jephree · #4 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 04:36 AM

Please post as many details as possible. Any Beeps? If so what is the pattern?

Beep Codes:

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

Intermittent errors like these are also indicative of a failing PSU in which case you can get an inexpensive tester:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...n&q=psu+tester

And or a failing hard drive in which case you can run a diagnostic:

Do you know the manufacturer of your hard drive?

If not check the Device Manager: Start/Run/ devmgmt.msc | + Disk Drives.

You will find the major brand diagnostics listed here:

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

With a few others listed here:

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

laughable · #5 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 04:34 PM

Okay, so i own a Dell PC, with windows XP. Everytime i press the "ON' button, the computer starts to beep, and it sounds as if there is a motor or fan, running pretty fast. The screen is also blank. I think the sequencing for the beeps is 1-3-2, which would indicate a memory failure. also, the diagnostics at the back of the PC are: A-orange, B-orange, C-green, D-green. Which i think also indicates a memory failrure. Now that i know that, what do i do? Do i have to buy new memory? or adjust the current memory cards?

Also, in case it matters, this is not the first time that this has happened. It has happened several other times, but each of those times, it must have "repaired itself" or something because it worked fine the next morning. But these startup problems are becoming frquent and VERY annoying! can anyone please suggest something?

Thanx

brain_damage · #6 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 05:23 PM

do you feel confident in opening the case?

how old is the machine?

laughable · #7 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 05:32 PM

the machine is 2-3 years old....it was pretty fast/good.
and i'm not too confident about opening the case, but i could get my friend to.
will it be nessecary to open the case to fix this???

brain_damage · #8 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 05:37 PM

it may be the RAM has come loose and needs reseating, it may be a dust build up