who knows computers

basilmarket.com forums : Tech Talk | 15 posts archived

thread starter LiveGreen Apr 25 2010 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

if you've never built a computer yourself, or analyzed computer problems, this probably will just go over your head. anyways... i have a computer that i put together around 2 years ago, and it's great. i've never had any problems with it, until a couple months ago. one morning when i turned it on i heard 4 beeps; 1 long and 3 short. the screen stayed black even though it's power was on, and both my mouse and keyboard's lights were on. i researched a little on the internet, via my brother's computer, and found out that those beeps indicate a problem with the graphics card. with my new knowledge, i turned off my computer, hit the power switch in the back, and unplugged everything. then i opened it up, unplugged the wire going from the mother board to the graphics card, unsecured the card, and took it out. i took a look at it to make sure there was no physical damage, and then put it back in, making sure it was snug. i put everything else back together, plugged all my wires back in, hit the power, and to my relief i saw the "starting windows" screen for some reason, i've had to repeat this process around 5 times within the past couple months. i don't know what's causing the problem, but taking it out and putting it back in makes things work(kinda like when you're trying to playing a game on the n64) however, today is different. i heard the 4 beeps when i pressed the power, and quickly went through the process. when i pressed the power again, the beeps were still sounding. i went through the process a few times, but the beeps are still sounding. i put it off out of frustration, and it's been around 5 hours since i first tried to fix the problem, but as much as i'd like to just put it off, i really need to access my computer -.- i'm thinking that it's time for a different approach to it; something a little more advanced than the strategy from my n64 days. does anybody have a solution to my problem?

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Caeg 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Not sure if this will help but get all of the dust out of the computer n

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MoldyPeanut 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Build a new computer.

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orbitwhite 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

i know computers!

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LiveGreen 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Caeg : Not sure if this will help but get all of the dust out of the computer n [/quote] i dusted the interior a couple weeks ago

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yeshi162 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

I would clean it out, try again. If that doesn't work, you might want to seek professional help.

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Eeveepony 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Unplug everything, remove all the Ram. Replug and turn it back on. Does it beep?

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LiveGreen 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Eeveepony : Unplug everything, remove all the Ram. Replug and turn it back on. Does it beep? [/quote] leaving the ram out?

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Eeveepony 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Yes. Leave the ram out and see if it beeps. Does it?

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LiveGreen 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Eeveepony : Yes. Leave the ram out and see if it beeps. Does it? [/quote] that generates a constant beeping; 1 long 2 short

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Enwove 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

... Of course the system's going to beep without the RAM, it'll just be a different POST error code. Clean the contacts on the graphics card, and inspect the slot for any noticeable dust. To clean the graphics card contacts, use a pencil eraser followed by a soft cloth, or some isopropyl alcohol on a q-tip. If you've got more than one slot for a graphics card, perhaps try a different one.

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LiveGreen 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Enwove : ... Of course the system's going to beep without the RAM, it'll just be a different POST error code. Clean the contacts on the graphics card, and inspect the slot for any noticeable dust. To clean the graphics card contacts, use a pencil eraser followed by a soft cloth, or some isopropyl alcohol on a q-tip. If you've got more than one slot for a graphics card, perhaps try a different one. [/quote] cue tip is still perfectly clean after wiping the contacts, and the slot is perfectly clean too. unfortunately there's only one slot

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Enwove + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Do you have another computer that you can use to test the graphics card? All I can really suggest, if you don't, is that you leave your graphics card unsecured, and tilt it slightly upwards or downwards and hold it as such while turning the computer on. Hold the card with the palm of your hand, on the outside edge of the card. If you still have no luck, see if you can find another PC to try the card in, if not your own, a friend's or something. It's not exactly unheard of for graphics cards to randomly crap out, or certain expansion slots on a motherboard to stop functioning while the rest remains perfect.

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LiveGreen 04/25/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

well this is just dandy. graphics work now; no more beeps. but because i had to shut down via holding the power button so much, i get directed to a screen asking me if i want to launch and fix problems, or start windows normally. selecting the first option gives me a bsod, selecting the later just restarts the computer and takes me back to the same selection page -.-

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Eeveepony 04/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Enwove : ... Of course the system's going to beep without the RAM, it'll just be a different POST error code. [/quote] It's to test the mobo

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